Chinese regulators have launched investigations into four online hotel and travel booking platforms over practices that may harm fair competition and merchant rights, the Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation said.
The probes target Hangzhou Taomei Aviation Service, Tongcheng Network Technology, Tujia Online Information Technology (Tianjin) and Beijing Sankuai Information Technology. The authorities are examining business practices affecting commission structures, platform traffic allocation and promotional programs.
The investigations follow a broader regulatory review of China's online travel sector and a joint meeting convened by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The China Hospitality Association has backed the probe, calling for greater transparency around trading rules and algorithms, including search rankings, traffic allocation, commission rates and promotional programs, as well as enhanced industry self-discipline and cooperation.
No penalties or findings were announced against the four newly probed platforms.
The move comes months after authorities in July imposed a 5.18 billion yuan ($765 million) antitrust penalty on Trip.com Group for abusing its dominant position in China's online hotel booking market.
