Chinese travel services provider Ctrip's more than 300 million registered users can take advantage of personalized experiences from Accor's global brands portfolio. The partners will emphasize AccorHotels properties on the Ctrip platform, create an Accor flagship store on Ctrip.com, develop joint loyalty programs and cooperate on IT.
Accor chairman and CEO Sebastien Bazin said Accor will launch a training and certification program at 250 or more of its hotels by 2020 to ensure the properties will "answer major Chinese guests' expectations." The Asia/Pacific region has been a particular area of focus for Accor in recent years; more than 50 percent of the hotel company's pipeline as of March 31 is in the region.
But Accor isn't alone in making a play for the Chinese market via a digital partnership; Marriott International in August signed a JV deal with China's Alibaba Group. Ctrip.com International provides accommodations reservations, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and corporate travel management.