Ctrip hands Two cruise ships

Absrtact: At the beginning of 2014, Ctrip determined the new business, such as ticket, cruise, car rental, group purchase and so on, to expand the market. In the process of incorporation of the same network stage to complete the task of increasing the ticket business, with thread will be more energy into the cruise industry

At the beginning of 2014, Ctrip determined the new business, such as ticket, cruise, car rental, group purchase and so on, to expand the market. In the "incorporation" phase of the network to complete the task of increasing the ticket business, with thread will be more energy into the cruise business.

July 17, Ctrip bought the second liner in the industry and the news of rapid fermentation, which brought ctrip in the cruise industry, the heavy asset model was widely discussed.

Ctrip declined to comment on the news. And the industry in the interview said, Ctrip purchased Cruise is an important part of Ctrip to expand overseas tourism market, although in the short term will face a certain amount of capital pressure, but in the long run, this is in line with the current domestic cruise tourism business rapid development trend.

Two cruise ships?

The 2013 report by the Asian Cruise Association predicts that Asian cruise demand will rise to 3 times-fold to 3.8 million by 2020. Among them, China's demand will reach 1.6 million. More industry experts boldly predicted that the future China will become the world's second largest cruise tourism market.

The rapid growth of China's cruise industry is accompanied by the rapid expansion of China's tourism industry. Qiwei, director of China National Tourism Administration, said that last year, China's citizens outbound tourism for the first time more than 90 million people, this year is expected to break 100 million, the next 5 years, the number of outbound tourism in China will exceed 400 million passengers.

For the current cruise development situation, Travelzoo tourism China President Hong Wei in an interview with reporters, said: "This year's cruise market shows three distinct characteristics." First, the segmentation market is obvious, consumption is more differentiated, the period of the big hit price war has passed. High-end and pro-people parallel, both the pursuit of cost-effective; second, the family travel, the elderly market to drive the young people's cruise enthusiasm; third, from the original single first-line city market, to the two or three-tier city extension. ”

It is for this reason that every year from June to September, it has always been the peak season for cruise travel. Summer vacation, all kinds of online tour operators have sacrificed similar "package Ship Tour", "1 Yuan Tour" and other cruise tourism products, the smoke of the cruise war has begun. Princess Cruise, Song Tatsu, Royal Caribbean and other international cruise companies have been gearing up to increase the intensity of online promotion.

In each home to yell their own cruise products, Ctrip bought the news of the cruise ship suddenly.

A few days ago, there are industry websites broke Ctrip or a big money to buy a cruise ship to further promote the business, and left foreshadowing that there may be a second stroke, 17th, the site issued Ctrip a short time to buy two cruise ship news.

Ctrip in the cruise business of the lavish shot, early in this before there are traces to follow.

At the beginning of the year, Lei, a senior director of Ctrip Cruise business, revealed that the cruise is the emerging business unit of Ctrip, which is expected to account for nearly 10% of the domestic market in 2013, and is the country's largest online booking platform for Cruise lines, "without direct competitors in the market". Now the cruise market is still in the early stage of development, Ctrip's primary goal is to further build the leading edge.

But Ctrip responded to the news with "no comment."

Ctrip Heavy Asset problem

"Ctrip's move is an important link for Ctrip to expand overseas." "Analysys Consulting analyst Zhu Zhengyu when talking about the move of Ctrip to buy a cruise," said the analysis, "Cruise is not only a means of transport, but also assume a role in the destination, the cruise business is very good with the current outbound upsurge." ”

But in Zhu Zhengyu's view, if the news that Ctrip bought the cruise is true, the future is likely to face capital and cruise operation problems.

At present, although the online tour operators have their own cruise products, but they are basically the use of a ship or a package of the way to sell, these methods of economic efficiency is relatively reasonable, and the company's commitment to the risk of not full load is relatively small.

"At present, the risk of their own ship for cruise products is very high, mainly the problem of full occupancy rate, and the other cost of manpower and other costs are relatively high." "In Zhu Zhengyu view, Ctrip in the cruise is still in the development period is so big, it is because the company saw the future of the cruise business in the Chinese market rapid growth, in the short term Ctrip's economic pressure will be relatively large, but in the long run Ctrip will have a greater advantage."

It is understood that the current production of a conventional cruise ship's cycle is 4-5 years, and each cruise ship's investment at a very frequent billions of yuan. If Ctrip bought two cruise ship news is true, whether from the time or money, Ctrip is likely to purchase is already in service and operation relatively mature old ship.

Put aside the pressure on the capital, Ctrip in the purchase of the cruise, the most important thing is to the entire crew of the ship, the difficulty is not small.

At present, the purchase of a ship or even several cruise ship is not an astronomical number of industry leaders, the development of China's cruise economy lacks the soft power of the industry-cruise operation management personnel and cruise operation management System.

"From the current news can be seen, Ctrip in a short time to buy two, at least the operation of the team has been in intensive operation, on the other hand also indicated that the relevant operations are relatively smooth." "said Zhu.

To be sure, Ctrip once held two cruise ships, and rivals to enter a new pattern of competition.