Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Group announced it has earned the global certification of Ctrip's new China Preferred Hotel Program (CPH). The iconic Asian luxury hotel group is the first international owner and operator of hotels to earn the title. Ctrip, one of China and Asia's largest integrated travel services companies, initiated the CPH certification to promote a customised hospitality standard specifically for Chinese travellers. The prestigious designation is conferred to hotels offering outstanding Chinese-centered services and amenities across three areas: Hotel Facilities, Room Amenities and Customer Service.

"We're very proud of the new CPH certification as it reflects Shangri-La's longstanding commitment to make all our guests feel welcomed and comfortable," said Shangri-La President and COO Oliver Bonke. "Given our strong foothold and presence in China, we have been able to understand the preferences of our Chinese guests to create unique, distinctive experiences and enhanced services which we believe are important to the wellbeing and comfort of Chinese travellers. Our passion for excellent service and thoughtful amenities have guided our efforts to achieve these standards and to set a new benchmark for Chinese hospitality."

Ctrip is the largest provider of overseas travel for Chinese travellers with nearly one out of every four utilising the Ctrip platform for the booking and searching for outbound flight tickets. The new CPH is an initiative by Ctrip to create a user-friendly standard that provides surety and confidence for Chinese travellers seeking familiar services and amenities. Ctrip's CPH certification is denoted by an identifiable online signature CPH tag, which is visible and searchable by travellers booking through the Ctrip platform.

In January 2019, Shangri-La Group entered into a strategic partnership with Ctrip to enhance the travel experience for Chinese consumers who stay at Shangri-La hotels and resorts. The partnership draws on Ctrip's scale of resources and technology, as well as Shangri-La's iconic service and international standards of quality to provide enhanced experiences for Chinese travellers.

Shangri-La's commitment to mainland China began with the first Shangri-La hotel in Hangzhou in 1984. Today, the Shangri-La Group has grown to over 100 properties globally with half of these hotels in mainland China. With a strong and expanding Asian and international footprint, the Group is well placed to ensure Chinese travellers feel a sense of familiarity and are well looked after both within and outside of China.

About Ctrip.com International, Ltd.

Ctrip.com International, Ltd. is a leading travel service provider of accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and corporate travel management in China. It is the largest online consolidator of accommodations and transportation tickets in China in terms of transaction volume. Ctrip enables business and leisure travelers to make informed and cost-effective bookings by aggregating comprehensive travel related information and offering its services through an advanced transaction and service platform consisting of its mobile apps, Internet websites and centralized, toll-free, 24-hour customer service center. Ctrip also helps customers book vacation packages and guided tours. In addition, through its corporate travel management services, Ctrip helps corporate clients effectively manage their travel requirements. Since its inception in 1999, Ctrip has experienced substantial growth and become one of the best-known travel brands in China.

About Shangri-La Group

Shangri-La Group is one of the world's premier developers, owners and managers of hotel and investment properties which comprises office buildings, commercial real estate and serviced apartments/residences. The Group's other principal activities include hotel management services as well as property development for sale. It currently owns and/or manages over 100 hotels globally in 78 destinations under the Shangri-La, Kerry, JEN and Traders brands. Prominently positioned in Asia, the Group has a substantial pipeline of upcoming hotel and mixed-use development projects in Australia, the Chinese mainland, Cambodia, and Japan. For more information, please visit https://www.shangri-la.com/group/.