Background

As part of the UOL SG's guidelines, we are supposed are expected to learn and publish at least one web page. The purpose of this research is to find out more about the business of a transaction broker.

A transaction broker provides coordination services and documentary supports between the buyers and sellers. The transaction broker's online platform offers a range of products and services. They neither own nor produce any of the products and services on offer, and are not resellers.

Research on Ctrip.com

Ctrip.com International Ltd. is a leading consolidator of hotel accommodations and airline tickets in China. The company aggregates information on hotels and flights, enabling customers to make informed and cost-effective hotel and flight bookings by acting as an agent in nearly all booking transactions. It targets primarily business and leisure travelers in China who do not travel in groups, a traditionally underserved yet fast-growing segment of the China travel industry.

The website provides online services such as booking of flights, hotel room reservations, booking of tour packages, car rental and secured payment security.

Booking of flights:

Hotel room reservations: It provides information like if the room rates are inclusive of tax, what do the icons shown on the website mean, what identification documents are needed when checked in, how to get a receipt of the hotel reservation, how to pay Ctrip etc.

Booking of tour packages: There will be a package form available on the packages page for you to fill up. You can then select the package you are interested in and just provide the required information as promoted. When done, it will respond via email with all the reservation details.

Secured Payment Security: The security of your private information will remain secure as it is being trusted by the international service provider, Verisign. It only allow the credit card number to be transmitted over the Internet if the browser supports Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. SSL safe connection and secure transaction technology has effectively protected hundreds of Ctrip customers who have transmitted their credit card numbers online.

Competitors

Its major competitors are eLong Inc., Expedia Inc. and Hotels.com.

Strengths

Ctrip.com bridges the gap between independent travelers and travel suppliers by helping travelers plan and book trips while helping travel suppliers, such as hotels and airlines, improve the efficiency of their marketing and distribution channels.

Weaknesses

It is no doubt that Ctrip is one of the best transaction brokers for holiday packages, hotels and etc. However, it is not perfect and have some weaknesses as well. The details in the website does state its descriptions of the hotel rooms and those packages. In my own opinion, i do think that it can be further improve on. The photos of those hotels, places, etc placed in the website itself is not that sufficient also. Therefore, i think it can surely be improved on.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our group feels that Ctrip does have all the necessary elements to quality as a top transaction broker within the travel industry. The website is consider friendly user as all the links can be found on it easily. Customers will also have trust in them as they possess a secured payment system. Therefore, will not need to worry about the leaking out of their private information. We feel that it is indeed a useful and helpful tool to use when planning for trips to China.