# New Innovations, Expanding Partnerships, and Tourism Resilience at Trip.com Group's Envision 2026

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/new-innovations-expanding-partnerships-and-tourism-resilience-at-trip-com-groups-envision-2026
- Published: 2026-05-28T19:58:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

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**\* **_Strategic roadmap built on partnership, AI intelligence, and shared value
across every segment of the travel ecosystem* Trip.com Group awards USD 600,000 
in grants to recognise tourism innovation and next-generation travel experiences*
Trip.com Group welcomes over 30,000 international visitors to China through its 
Free City Tours; launches new airport service hubs amid rising global demand for
China travel

SHANGHAI, May 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Leading global travel services provider Trip.
com Group today reaffirmed confidence in the long-term future of global tourism,
unveiling new innovations, partnerships and initiatives set to shape the next phase
of travel growth. At its annual Envision Global Partner Conference, the Group brought
together 3500 guests from 78 countries and regions – including travel leaders, tourism
boards, airline and hotel partners, and creators to explore emerging opportunities
and the evolving future of travel.

[[

**A New Era of Global Travel: Resilience, Record Demand, and Shared Momentum**

In her keynote, Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group, marked the arrival of a new phase
for global tourism – defined by record arrivals, accelerating innovation, and a 
deepening commitment to partnership. Tourism today accounts for around 10% of global
GDP – a record USD 11.6 trillion in 2025 – and is the world’s number one fastest-
growing sector, growing at more than twice the rate of the global economy^([1]).

Against this backdrop, Trip.com Group, together with its partners, continued to 
deliver sustained growth. In 2025, overall bookings on the Company’s international
OTA platform rose by 60% year-on-year, while outbound hotel and flight bookings 
surpassed 140% of 2019 levels. The Group’s air ticketing business recorded an approximately
60% year-on-year increase in premium cabin and upsell value, while accommodation
revenue grew by over 20%. This momentum reflects resilient travel demand across 
regions, anchored by Asia’s strength, and supported by accelerating growth across
Europe and the Americas.

**Three Shifts Defining Global Travel: The "3 Ds"**

Notably, the conference highlighted key growth opportunities that define the next
chapter – the "3 Ds" of global travel: Discovery of new emerging frontiers, with
Uzbekistan, Argentina, and Colombia among the fastest-growing destinations of 2025;
Wide Diversity of experiences, from diving in Bali and nature in Cappadocia to museums
in Giza and Istanbul; and Journeys in Depth, where 15 of the top 20 highest-growth
journeys reflecting long-haul trips, multi-leg travels, and average stays up around
six days across regions.

Jane Sun, CEO, Trip.com Group, said, "Global travel is incredibly resilient, and
with international traveller numbers surging, we are entering a new chapter of growth.
Our shared mission is to translate this momentum into lasting value across the entire
travel ecosystem.

By focusing our investments on innovation and service to meet evolving traveller
expectations for personalised experiences, Trip.com Group is helping unlock new 
opportunities for growth and contributing to an inclusive and sustainable future
for travel — one that empowers our partners, supports communities, and brings enriching
journeys to the world’s travellers as we envision bright horizons together."

**Innovation as the Engine: From the Tourism Innovation Fund to Innovations Across
the Business**

[[

At Envision 2026, the Group recognised the winners of the second annual Trip.com
Group Tourism Innovation Awards, honouring [10 standout projects across five categories](https://www.trip.com/activitysetupapp/mkt/index/2026votetrip)–
Museum, Theme Park, Architecture & Engineering, Resorts, Events & Shows – with each
project receiving a USD 60,000 grant under the Group’s USD 100 million Tourism Innovation
Fund.

This year’s winners include Universal Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort,
recognised for setting a new benchmark in immersive theme park technology, and the
Almaty Museum of Arts (Kazakhstan), honoured for opening up a major new cultural
destination at the heart of one of the world’s fastest-growing travel frontiers –
alongside celebrated projects from London, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Bangkok, Shanghai
and beyond.

James Liang, Co-founder and Chairman of Trip.com Group, said, "Travelling is about
experiencing something new, and innovation is the spark that turns imagination into
journeys and curiosity into discovery.

We established the Tourism Innovation Awards to champion and empower pioneering 
minds who are creating the future of travel. The brilliant trailblazers we’re recognising
this year from across the globe highlight the incredible potential that emerges 
when technology and creative vision come together to reimagine what is possible.

Innovations like these, and the countless innovators who drive travel forward, are
the reason our industry — and humanity — will continue to thrive as we move towards
the future with ceaseless steps and boundless creativity."

[[

Trip.com Group also highlighted how innovation is being applied across its own platforms,
products and services, with new capabilities rolling out across its core business
units:

 ◦ ** Flights:** Launched new integrated services such as Online Check-In, while
   AI-driven market intelligence equips airline partners with sharper signals to
   optimise operations.
 ◦ ** Hotels:** One-click personalisation and smart carts generate 10,500 incremental
   room nights and 4,000 multi-room bookings daily.
 ◦ ** Trains:** A one-stop multi-modal rail platform is driving 50% year-on-year
   growth in rail-flight cross-sell, with expanded integration across rail providers
   in Europe.
 ◦ ** Attractions & Tours:** Smart Ticketing Solutions, including Self-Service Ticket
   Machines at high traffic attractions have served over 1 billion users across 
   eight markets since their 2024 launch.
 ◦ ** Trip.Biz:** AI agents now auto-approve low-risk corporate travel requests 
   with a 98%+ approval rate, and Trip.Biz covers the cost if its AI makes a mistake.
 ◦ ** Content & Community:** AI-powered influencer matching now connects merchants
   with the most relevant creators for their audience, helping partners convert 
   inspiration into demand and discovery.

**Expanding Global Reach through New Partnerships and an Enlarged Footprint**

Trip.com Group continues to grow its international footprint, opening new offices
and deepening presence in key source markets. The Group also announced two new strategic
partnerships: a Memorandum of Understanding with Tourism Tasmania to accelerate 
Tasmanian tourism growth across global markets, and a strategic collaboration with
Visa to power richer travel experiences for Asia Pacific consumers.

**Connecting the World to China: Meeting Rising Global Demand for a New Kind of 
Journey**

Global appetite for travel to China is climbing fast. In 2025, 20 million inbound
travellers were served across the Group’s platforms, as visitors from around the
world sought out richer, more immersive experiences across the country. From visa-
friendly itineraries to language-ready service, the Group continues to invest in
the infrastructure that helps international travellers move seamlessly across China.

As of April 2026, Trip.com Group’s Free City Tours across four destinations had 
welcomed over 30,000 international visitors from 127 countries and regions. The 
Shanghai Express has served more than 12,000 guests, while the Beijing Express has
welcomed over 11,000 travellers. The Hong Kong Free Layover Tour recorded 7,500 
participants, and the newly launched Shenzhen Express attracted nearly 200 guests
from 33 countries.

Furthermore, Trip.com Group operates one-stop service counters across major gateways
including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, where multilingual
teams provide support ranging from internet connectivity and transportation guidance
to currency exchange and attraction bookings.

Reinforcing this momentum, legendary actor and Trip.com Group’s Global Ambassador
for China Travel, Jackie Chan, appeared in a video message at the Envision conference,
welcoming international visitors and inviting them to discover the depth, diversity
and traditions of China. The conference, held at Shanghai’s Xuhui District, is a
vibrant hub for business, culture, and tourism, reflecting the city’s growing role
as a gateway for international travellers discovering China. Indeed, over the coming
week, Mr Chan, together with international guests invited by the Group, will discover
the Southern Chinese city of Guilin – famous for its fairy-tale karst hills, dramatic
rivers and limestone caves.

**Looking Ahead with Confidence**

Looking ahead, the Group outlined three pillars of future investment and innovation
under its "Intelligence with Care" guiding principles. First, driving better, faster
choices through AI-embedded search and booking, while equipping partners with smarter
market intelligence. Second, combining the efficiency of AI with human judgment 
and empathy – reliability where it matters most. Third, the Group is strengthening
its position as a trusted global platform, ensuring stable, compliant operations
across markets for partners and travellers.

As global travel enters a new phase of growth and transformation, Trip.com Group
reaffirms its commitment to building a more connected, intelligent, and inclusive
travel ecosystem – working with partners to shape better journeys and foster sustainable
long-term growth across the travel industry.

**About Trip.com Group**

Trip.com Group is a leading global travel service provider comprising Trip.com, 
Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group enables local
partners and travellers around the world with innovative travel products and services,
advanced technologies, and 24/7 customer service. Founded in 1999 and listed on 
NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group has become one of the best-known
travel groups in the world, with the mission _"to pursue the perfect trip for a 
better world._

^([1]) WTTC

 

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