(Yicai Global) Oct. 30 -- China’s biggest online travel services provider Trip.com Group hosted a meeting of worldwide partners yesterday as part of its ‘Travel On’ Initiative to bolster the recovery of the global travel industry amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘Local focus, global vision’ was the strategy laid out at the Global Partner Summit held in Chengdu. It was a key event in Trip.com’s month-long LIVE for Trip campaign which kicked off on Oct. 10. Over 2,600 people attended from more than 300 hotels, 70 hotel groups and 35 airlines. The gathering helped to form stronger bonds between industry sectors and representatives.

Trip.com’s online booking platforms, including Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner and Qunar, are no longer just for exchanges between partners and customers, said co-founder and Chairman James Liang. “We now create ourselves by utilizing innovative marketing and content generation to offer greater opportunities and greater value to our users and partners,” he added.

Digital transformation and creative marketing have driven Trip.com to play a leading role in the revival of the travel sector, said Chief Executive Officer Jane Sun. Addressing the many industry leaders who attended the conference, Sun reinforced the importance of cooperation during difficult times and reflected on the significant decisions the Group took to support its partners during the pandemic.

By integrating data, developing a content ecosystem and creating immersive experiences for users, Shanghai-based Trip.com is pushing its business and the industry forward. The success of these innovations and service enhancements serves as a beacon to guide the recovery of the world’s travel industry, Sun said.

The future of travel marketing is in using content-oriented innovations to engage users and offer partners more opportunities, said Chief Marketing Officer Bo Sun. The company’s livestream sales had generated USD360 million in gross merchandise value as of Oct. 28.

Founded in 1999, Trip.com listed on the Nasdaq in 2003. It has become one of the best-known travel brands in the world with the aim of making every trip the perfect trip.

Editor: Kim Taylor