Trip.com Group (Nasdaq: TCOM, HKEX: 9961) is a major online travel company in Asia, behind Trip.com, Ctrip, Qunar and Skyscanner, and a way to reach Asian and outbound Chinese travellers. This page follows Trip.com news for hoteliers: destination demand, partnerships, AI booking and market trends across Asia-Pacific. Every card links to the original source.
From our analysis: OTA Size Comparison; Google I/O, it changes OTA positions; The Ai Trip Planning Market 2026
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Meta launches Muse AI agent in Japan, its first market outside North America, with Trip.com, Agoda and 426,000 Klook experiences
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28 October 2026🇯🇵 Meta’s Muse AI agent has launched in Japan, its first market outside North America, on iOS, Android and web. Integrations include Trip.com, Agoda, Stripe and Shopify. Klook connects 426,000 bookable experiences across 4,600 destinations; with traveller approval, Muse places orders, redirects users to Klook for payment and saves bookings in chat. Following Muse’s September launch, Expedia Group announced an integration. Klook marketing SVP Jakii Chu highlighted the expansion on October 23.
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ByteDance’s Doubao Raises Hotel Booking Fees to 12% on Douyin, Up from 8%
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28 October 2026📱 Doubao, ByteDance’s AI assistant, increased its hotel booking service fee from 8% to 12% on August 20, 2026, affecting bookings made via Douyin. The platform, with 382 million users in May 2026, doesn’t allow paid promotions. Hotels cannot opt out independently and face fees whether or not they seek Doubao’s channel. During China’s October holiday, Doubao’s bookings rose by over 56%, although specific data is unavailable.
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Tripadvisor and Travel + Leisure Block AI Crawlers, While Regional Portals Like Agoda Remain Accessible
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27 October 2026🌎 Tripadvisor and Travel + Leisure block AI crawlers, enforcing 100% edge blockade (HTTP 403). Expedia Group rate-limits bots (HTTP 429 on Istio-Envoy). In contrast, Forbes, Tablet Hotels, and Mr & Mrs Smith are fully accessible (HTTP 200). Regional portals like Agoda and Trip.com maintain open access. The audit covers 18 global travel platforms, highlighting a divide in AI accessibility. Hoteliers should ensure their own websites are crawlable to maintain visibility in AI-driven recommendations.
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Trip.com Group Introduces ‘My Travel Impact’ Feature as 56.8% of Travellers Opt for Sustainable Options
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27 October 2026🌍 Three in four (75.4%) travelers prioritize sustainability in travel decisions, with 56.8% opting for sustainable options, as revealed by Trip.com Group’s 2026 Report. The My Travel Impact feature aids in tracking sustainable choices across hotels, flights, and rail. Key motivators include environmental responsibility (52.5%) and destination preservation (50.8%). Gen Z leads the shift, with 69.5% choosing sustainable options. Barriers include higher costs (37.1%) and inconvenience (29.8%). Extreme weather influenced travel for 62.0% of respondents.
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Infographic Highlights 100 Travel Unicorns and Billion-Dollar Companies Redefining the Global Travel Tech Ecosystem
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26 October 2026🌎 100 travel unicorns and billion-dollar companies define the travel tech ecosystem, spanning 10 categories like OTAs, distribution, hospitality, and fintech. Key players include Booking.com, Expedia, Amadeus, Sabre, Uber, Stripe, and OpenAI. Founders should focus on scalable business models and tech architecture for competitive advantage. Opportunities lie in AI-powered platforms, travel APIs, and fintech solutions. The right integration of suppliers and systems can enhance profitability and customer experience.
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Avocado House by Arshia Architects Debuts as Circular Desert Retreat in California’s Yucca Valley
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24 October 2026🏚 Avocado House, designed by Arshia Architects and located in Yucca Valley, California, is a three-bedroom home completed in 2023. The unique layout is based on three circles forming a central core, yard, and connecting zone, resembling an avocado. Featuring a courtyard with a pool, spa, and fire pit, it offers stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains. The structure utilizes curved glulam timber and incorporates solar panels and a roof-drainage system for sustainability.
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Trip.com Reports Chiang Mai, Surabaya, and Busan Among Fastest-Growing Asia-Pacific Destinations with Over 60% Booking Increases
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23 October 2026📅 This autumn, emerging Asia-Pacific destinations are booming with Chiang Mai (+84.3%), Surabaya (+63.1%), and Busan (+62.7%) leading growth. Mainland Chinese travelers drive demand, focusing on short-haul, affordable trips. Japan captures 11 of the top 12 global autumn foliage spots, with Kyoto’s Arashiyama at number one. Gen Z flights surged, and hotel stays in China now average over 2 nights. Trip.com boosts AI-powered discovery, seeing a 203% rise in autumn-travel posts.
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Berlin-based YGO Secures €8 Million to Develop AI Infrastructure for Travel Industry, Enhancing Booking Efficiency
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22 October 2026💻 A Mews survey of 3,250 travelers across eight countries reveals 63% are open to AI monitoring room rates, while 57% prefer making travel decisions themselves. Berlin’s YGO secures €8M for AI travel infrastructure. AI sales agents see a 3-5x conversion lift, with a 30% larger average basket size and 15% repeat rate within six months. A LinkedIn poll shows 72% of 36 voters didn’t click on Google links last week.
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AI Booking Costs in Travel Industry Highlighted as Hotels Face Rising Token Costs per Booking
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22 October 2026📈 Travel agents face a new financial dynamic due to AI usage costs. Eugenia Dunaeva illustrates that for 1,000 requests, $600 is spent, resulting in 100 bookings and $3,000 revenue, leading to a Token Cost Per Booking (TCPB) of $6. As AI costs rise, hotels may bear more expenses. McKinsey’s AI value curve highlights industry-specific economic impacts, urging hotels in Asia-Pacific to adapt. By October 2026, platforms like Expedia within Meta’s Muse may increase hotel costs.
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Google Launches Hotel Booking via AI in U.S., Partners with Major Hotel Chains and OTAs
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21 October 2026🏨 Google has launched AI-driven hotel booking in the U.S., allowing conversational booking and payment via Google Pay. Partners include Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Choice Hotels, Wyndham, Booking.com, Expedia, and Trip.com. This shift from search-based booking to AI recommendations is set to redefine hotel distribution. The focus is moving from visibility to AI compatibility. The future could see AI agents booking hotels based on user preferences and history, prompting a new focus on recommendation rather than search optimization.
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Apple Vision Pro Offers Resolution Exceeding 4K per Eye for Immersive Luxury Hospitality Marketing
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19 October 2026🥽 Apple Vision Pro offers luxury hotels immersive AR/VR marketing, with per-eye resolution exceeding a 4K television. Trip.com has integrated the headset to let users explore destinations before traveling. Hotels could offer virtual property tours and personalized room previews to strengthen guest engagement and encourage direct bookings. Research cited from 2018–2024 explores immersive technology’s psychological and hospitality applications, but the article provides no booking-growth statistics, implementation dates or specific hotel locations.
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Google’s AI Now Facilitates Hotel Bookings Through Ten Major Companies, Excluding Independent Hotels, Since August 27
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19 October 2026📅 In 2023, AI’s impact on hotel bookings remains limited, with Booking Holdings reporting less than 1% of room nights via AI like ChatGPT. As of August 27, Google’s AI Mode allows hotel bookings through ten major companies, excluding independent hotels. Since September 30, hotels need a direct price feed to advertise on Google. Customized prices, marked by an asterisk in the EU, can vary for different users, affecting a hotel’s competitive edge.
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Google’s AI Now Facilitates Hotel Bookings for Ten Major Companies, Independent Hotels Excluded from New Feature
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19 October 2026📈 October 19, 2026: AI assistants like ChatGPT contribute under 1% to Booking Holdings’ room nights. Google’s AI now books hotels via ten companies, including Booking.com and Hilton, but excludes independent hotels. As of September 30, hotels need a direct price feed for Google ads; otherwise, their rates disappear. Google’s AI suggests hotels and books for US users, excluding independent ones. Customized rates appear lower than hotel rates in the EU, marked with an asterisk.
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AI Adoption in Hospitality Meets Financial Scrutiny: Only 13% of Hotel Chains Report Measurable Returns
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16 October 2026📊 In 2026, AI’s role in hospitality evolved, with significant developments: Jet fuel prices surged 120% by April due to Middle East conflicts. By August, Google introduced agentic hotel booking in the U.S. AI usage was widespread, with 91% of hotel chains involved, but only 13% saw financial returns. Global tourism saw mixed results, with Asia-Pacific RevPAR up 1.3% in July. China’s Golden Week saw outbound trips up 9.3%, but domestic spending dropped 1.9%.
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23 Travel Technology Trends for 2027 Include Agentic AI, Connected Systems, Digital Payments and Cybersecurity
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16 October 2026✈ Hotels, airlines and travel businesses face 23 technology trends for 2027, led by AI booking agents, connected systems and cybersecurity. IATA reports 71% of travelers prefer online or mobile booking. AI use among US travelers reached 56%, up from 43% in late 2025. Globally, tourism contributed $12 trillion and 376 million jobs, according to WTTC. Businesses are urged to prioritize reliable data, secure payments and human oversight as automation expands.
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Booking Holdings Launches AI Startup Vayo with Planned $100 Million Investment to Enhance Travel Management
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15 October 2026📅 Booking Holdings is investing $100 million in Vayo, an AI tool that manages travel plans even after bookings are made through other providers. Announced on October 14, this tool, currently in a private beta phase, watches for price drops, availability, and potential disruptions. Meanwhile, PROS launched Kairos, an AI platform for airlines, aiming to optimize pricing and offers. Trip.com’s TripGenie saw AI usage for booking queries rise from 30% to 60% since February 2023, enhancing customer reassurance.
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Airbnb Faces Competition from Over 27 Global and Regional Vacation Rental Alternatives in 2026
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15 October 2026🏡 Airbnb, founded in 2007, connects 5.5 million hosts in 220+ countries, allowing unique stays and local experiences. Hosts can earn up to $25,000/month and benefit from AirCover insurance. Airbnb charges guests a 14.1%-16.5% service fee; hosts pay ~3%. Competitors include Vrbo with 2 million listings, Booking.com in 227 countries, and TripAdvisor with 7.3 million listings. Airbnb’s 2026 updates added Airbnb Experiences, AI features, and boutique hotels, enhancing guest services and options.
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Channel Managers for Serviced Apartments Must Address Specific Needs Beyond Generic Software Solutions
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12 October 2026📑 A 47-night minimum stay was set in a central system but failed to reach one channel. Channel managers for serviced apartments synchronize rates and availability across various booking channels, supporting durations from nightly up to monthly stays. Different channel types, such as OTAs and corporate platforms, have specific billing models and stay lengths, e.g., corporate platforms favor 30-180 nights. For serviced apartments, integrating GDS and TMC connectivity is crucial to tap into untapped revenue streams.
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Marriott Integrates AI Booking on Fliggy, Surpassing 800% Growth in China’s Holiday Travel Bookings
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9 October 2026📱 In China, AI agents on Alibaba’s Fliggy processed 200 million orders during the February Spring Festival, including 55 million milk tea cups. Hotel AI bookings rose over 800%, with Marriott using a dedicated “door” in Fliggy for easy hotel and package access. In the US, Google enabled hotel bookings in AI Mode with 10 companies, including Marriott. On Fliggy, Marriott’s AI commands extend beyond rooms to offerings like afternoon tea, enhancing direct sales.
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Marriott Introduces Exclusive AI Booking Access on Alibaba’s Fliggy, Expanding Sales Beyond Room Reservations
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9 October 2026📈 Oct 9, 2026: In China, Marriott has integrated with Alibaba’s Fliggy, offering a dedicated access point for AI agents to sell hotel packages, unlike other hotels that use a shared search. During February’s Spring Festival, Alibaba’s Qwen AI app processed 200 million orders. Fliggy AI bookings soared by over 800%, yet hotel figures remain undisclosed. Marriott established its Fliggy presence through collaboration with Alibaba since 2017, allowing AI-driven sales of packages, unlike other hotel chains on the platform.
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Radisson’s ChatGPT Plugin Converts at 1.5 Times the Rate of Organic Search, Shows Promising Results
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8 October 2026🗺 On October 6, 2023, Southwest Airlines launched a ChatGPT plugin in collaboration with OpenAI and AWS, allowing flight discovery via ChatGPT while bookings occur on Southwest.com. Radisson’s ChatGPT plugin, released in July, converts at 1.5 times the rate of organic search. Propellic’s study found 71% of U.S. travelers direct-booked with operators, but over 75% of handoffs failed to transfer booking details. Via.ai reported AI-driven conversion increases 3-5x, with a 30% larger average basket size.
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h2c Study Shows Hotel AI Adoption Rises to 91%, But Only 13% See Measurable Returns
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8 October 2026📚 AI adoption in hotels increased from 78% to 91% in a year, but only 13% reported measurable returns. Aven Hospitality is introducing Hopper’s “Cancel for Any Reason” for increased booking flexibility. Google collaborates with major companies on a Universal Commerce Protocol for lodging to standardize AI systems’ interactions. Meanwhile, AI’s role in hotel distribution is expanding, as discussed by Amazon Web Services and Hilton at the Destination AI Summit.
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Google Announces Universal Commerce Protocol for Lodging, Enabling AI to Directly Book Hotels with Major Partners
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7 October 2026💻 Google announced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) for Lodging, enabling AI to directly book hotels by accessing live availability and pricing. Companies like Booking.com, Expedia, Hilton, Marriott, Amadeus, and Trip.com have agreed on this booking language. UCP allows operators to stay the merchant of record, keeping guest data. Menizei adopted UCP within two days, bypassing vendor roadmap delays. Operators using SaaS can participate if platforms support UCP or provide necessary APIs.
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Google’s AI Hotel Booking Standard Merged by Council with Three OTAs, Excludes Post-Purchase Management
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7 October 2026🏨 On September 24, 2026, the Universal Commerce Protocol merged its AI lodging booking draft, a standard initiated by Google in January. This draft defines booking elements like room type and pricing but excludes post-purchase management, such as modifications. The council includes Google, Amadeus, Booking.com, Expedia, Hilton, Marriott, and Trip.com. The draft’s focus ends at confirmation issuance, and while it aims for broader accessibility, independent hotels must engage via platforms like OTAs or reservation systems.
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Google to Adopt Open Standard for AI Hotel Booking, Excluding Traditional Agency Features and Group Business
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6 October 2026📅 September 2026: Universal Commerce Protocol’s lodging draft was merged, missing travel agency fields. Google plans to adopt it for AI-powered hotel bookings. The draft, created by a 16-member council, lacks group bookings, which constitute roughly 25% of Marriott’s room nights. The protocol doesn’t account for commissions or post-purchase modifications. AI assists in venue sourcing, but group business remains complex. Industry needs standardized group terms for future integration. Four council seats are open for new members to address these gaps.
