Trip.com Under Antitrust Investigation: China’s Travel Industry in the Spotlight
Asia’s largest online travel company, Trip.com Group, is under investigation by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation over alleged antitrust violations. This development has sent shockwaves through the travel industry. The probe, announced on January 14, 2026, has raised questions about monopolistic practices in China’s booming travel sector.
Trip.com shares plunged nearly 20% in Hong Kong following the announcement, marking the stock’s worst day since its listing in April 2021. The company is being investigated for “suspected abuse of its dominant market position and monopolistic practices,” according to Chinese regulators. However, specific details have not been disclosed.
The investigation comes amid growing Chinese tourism demand. It’s expected that mainland Chinese travelers will take approximately 165 million to 175 million cross-border trips in 2026, up from an estimated 155 million in 2025. Trip.com, which operates popular platforms including Ctrip, Qunar, and Skyscanner, has faced previous complaints from hotel operators regarding pricing interference and alleged requirements to maintain the lowest room rates compared to rival platforms.
Under China’s Anti-Monopoly Law, companies found guilty of abusing a dominant market position can face fines ranging from 1% to 10% of their previous year’s revenue. Analysts estimate this could result in potential penalties between $70 million and $700 million for Trip.com. The company has stated it will “actively cooperate” with the investigation and that business operations continue as normal. This probe follows similar high-profile antitrust cases against Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Meituan in recent years.
Source: CNBC