Trip.com under China antitrust probe over algorithms, pricing

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is investigating Trip.com over alleged monopolistic practices, including the use of algorithms and pricing strategies, according to official statements.

The probe follows complaints from industry groups and businesses about unfair exclusivity clauses and increased commissions, which critics say have harmed travel operators and consumers.

Trip.com, which operates multiple booking platforms including Ctrip and Skyscanner, said it would cooperate with regulators.

The investigation highlights ongoing regulatory efforts to address concerns over market dominance and data-driven pricing practices in China’s tourism sector.

The company’s net income for the first three quarters of 2025 was reported at 29.1 billion yuan (US$4.1 billion).

🔗 Source: South China Morning Post

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

To gauge the probe’s real threat, specific market share figures are needed

An anti-monopoly probe has been opened into Trip.com over alleged abuse of a “dominant market position,” though the size of that position needs to be put into numbers to judge potential penalties.
Trip.com’s share of China’s domestic online travel market was put at 56% by gross merchandise value (GMV), the total value of bookings made through a platform, in 2024, based on a calculation cited by Chinese media and attributed to Bank of Communications International 1.
A 56% share of China’s online air ticket booking GMV was estimated for Ctrip and Qunar in 2019 2.
The case’s strength will be shaped by how the “relevant market” is defined, whether broad or focused on segments like high-star hotel online bookings. In that segment, Ctrip’s hotel booking GMV share was reported at 80% in 2020Q3 by a report citing “Fastdata,” so that definition should be examined 2.

Regulatory scrutiny on pricing algorithms could create demand for compliance tools

The probe into alleged “algorithm-driven price intervention” could push more spending on regulatory technology (software that helps companies meet legal and regulatory requirements).
China revised its Anti-Unfair Competition Law last year, adding clauses aimed at the country’s largest online platforms and covering abuse of an “advantageous position” by large enterprises.
Companies may buy tools that test dynamic pricing and AI-driven recommendation engines for fairness, though the source material does not tie specific products to Trip.com’s case 2.
Vendors can build software for algorithm governance, price discrimination checks, plus compliance reporting, which may lower regulatory risk and strengthen internal controls.