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MoonFox Analysis | Ctrip Leverages Increased Investment in Senior Travel, Cross-Border Tourism, and AI as New Engines for Growth

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About us: Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG) established in 2011, is a leading customer engagement and marketing technology service provider in China. Its business includes notification services, marketing growth, development tools, and data products. As its sub-brand, MoonFox Data is a leading expert in data insights and analysis services across all scenarios, aiming to help companies gain market insights and empower precise decision-making.

SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — At the end of August 2024, Ctrip released its unaudited Financial Report for Q2 and the first half of the fiscal year. As a leading platform in the online travel industry, Ctrip achieved revenue of RMB 12.8 billion in Q2, showing growth both YoY and QoQ. Net profit attributable to shareholders reached RMB 3.833 billion, with a YoY increase exceeding 500%. Analyzing by business segment, hotel bookings, and transportation ticketing, as the main revenue contributors, showed steady growth. The tourism and vacation segment demonstrated remarkable growth rates. By focusing on the needs of the elderly, cross-border tourism, and overseas business, Ctrip has effectively formed a new growth engine. From a long-term strategic perspective, Ctrip has further increased investment in AI and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), which is expected to consolidate its competitive moat in terms of products, technology, and user experience.

I.     Stable Development of Tourism & Hotel Ticketing Business, Rapid Growth in Tourism and Vacation Revenue

According to the financial report, Ctrip achieved a YoY revenue growth of 13.55% in Q2 of 2024, reaching RMB 12.788 billion (USD 1.8 billion). Benefiting from the increasingly robust cultural tourism consumption market, Q2 revenue also saw a 7% QoQ increase compared to Q1.

Ctrip’s Revenue and Growth from 2022 Q3 to 2024 Q2

Date

Revenue (Billion RMB)

YoY Growth

2022Q3

69

29 %

2022Q4

50

7 %

2023Q1

92

124 %

2023Q2

113

180 %

2023Q3

137

99 %

2023Q4

103

105 %

2024Q1

119

29 %

2024Q2

128

14 %

Data Source: Corporate Financial Reports
Data Cycle: 2022 Q3 – 2024 Q2

MoonFox data shows that as of August 2024, the Ctrip App maintained its leading position in the online travel industry’s MAU rankings with 110.7 million monthly active users. Observing the trends in active users, Ctrip’s UV advantage as a leading OTA platform remained solid in 2024.

Ctrip App Monthly Active Users and Penetration Rate from January to August 2024

Date

MAU (10,000)

MAU Penetration Rate

January

10,531.1

8.6 %

February

11,083.8

9.0 %

March

9,958.2

8.1 %

April

10,738.9

8.7 %

May

9,925.7

8.0 %

June

9,882.2

7.9 %

July

10,744.2

8.6 %

August

11,071.6

8.8 %

Data Source: MoonFox iApp;
Data Cycle: January 2024 – August 2024

Analyzing by business segment, hotel bookings and transportation ticketing remain Ctrip’s two main revenue pillars, accounting for 39.8% and 38.3% of total revenue respectively. The tourism and vacation business showed outstanding growth performance, with a 42% YoY increase and a 16% QoQ increase in Q2, reaching revenue of RMB 1 billion. From a YoY perspective, all of Ctrip’s business segments achieved significant growth, especially in accommodation bookings and tourism and vacation services. This demonstrates the strong pull effect brought by the comprehensive recovery of the tourism market, as well as Ctrip’s capability as an industry-leading platform to meet demand and achieve growth.

II.    Intensifying Focus on Elderly Tourism and Cross-border Travel Sectors, Forging New Growth Engines

Since the Q2, Ctrip has intensified its focus on the Elderly Tourism sector, launching a new brand “Ctrip Elderly Club” to provide comprehensive travel services for users aged 50 and above, including specialized products, travel benefits, and exclusive customer service. Subsequently, they upgraded the platform with a Family Card function, enabling children to make bookings and plan itineraries on behalf of their elderly relatives, refining services based on the pain points of senior users on OTA platforms. As of July, Ctrip Elderly Club has launched over 700 elderly tourism products covering more than 40 city destinations nationwide, with nearly half being debut routes or exclusive products, achieving diversification of elderly tourism SKUs and customization for the target demographic. According to MoonFox iApp data, the proportion of Ctrip users aged 46 and above in August 2024 increased compared to the same period last year, exceeding 17%.

Age Distribution of Ctrip App Active Users in August 2023 and August 2024

Age Range

August 2023

August 2024

≤25 years

23.2 %

24.8 %

26-35 years

30.8 %

29.4 %

36-45 years

23.2 %

24.8 %

≥46 years

30.8 %

29.4 %

Data Source: MoonFox iApp;
Data Cycle: August 2023 – August 2024

According to reports, Ctrip Elderly Club served over one million elderly travelers with a GMV of RMB 1.6 billion within 2 months of its establishment. Ctrip stated that it will focus on enhancing user travel experiences and building one-stop service capabilities, planning to collaborate with scenic spots, hotels, airlines, and other entities to launch comprehensive tourism products and services for elderly tourists, further tapping into the potential of the Elderly Tourism market.

On another front, capitalizing on favorable policies such as the 144-hour visa-free transit and the accelerating growth of cross-border tourism, Ctrip has intensified its business layout by introducing convenient inbound tourism products and services, continuously developing cross-border tourism products and routes, partnering with hotels nationwide to launch package products, and expanding global ticketing services. Financial reports show that Ctrip’s inbound tourism bookings in the first half of 2024 increased by nearly 200% YoY, accounting for 25% of revenue on Ctrip’s overseas platforms. Notably, outbound hotel and flight booking businesses have recovered to pre-pandemic levels for the same period. To date, Ctrip has established a global tourism ecosystem network, achieving extensive coverage of global hotels, airlines, travel agencies, and scenic spots in its supply chain, and plans to continue deepening its presence in key overseas markets and expanding its international business layout.

In the long term, we anticipate that the tourism consumption potential of the elderly demographic will continue to be unleashed, and the global tourism market will accelerate its recovery. Ctrip’s strategic moves to deepen its layout in elderly tourism, inbound & outbound travel, and overseas business are expected to enable it to establish advantages in the niche markets of silver tourism and cross-border travel, thereby securing broader space for performance growth in the future.

III. Investing in Performance & Travel and AI & Tourism: Driving Upgrades through Product and Technological Innovation

In Q2, Ctrip’s GMV for performance-related tourism products increased by over 70% YoY. Ctrip’s relevant strategic layout encompasses various forms including tourism combined with concerts, music festivals, sporting events, and film festivals, catering to young users’ travel demands oriented around performances and entertainment. From an industry development perspective, innovating tourism formats through a “Cultural Tourism+” model has become a crucial trend in the current industry. By deeply integrating tourism products and services with the cultural and entertainment industry, this approach achieves user-side experience innovation, fulfilling the need for cultural resonance and immersive experiences in travel scenarios. For platforms, this strategy facilitates benefit enhancement through resource sharing and complementary advantages, thereby promoting industrial upgrading and development.

Beyond the “Cultural Tourism” model, Ctrip’s innovation focus also centers on the implementation of AI technology in travel scenarios. Previously, Ctrip had developed its proprietary vertical large model for tourism, Ctrip Wendao, as well as the AI travel assistant TripGenie launched by Trip.com, establishing capabilities to provide travel content and services based on AI technology. During the Q2 earnings communication meeting, Ctrip adopted an AI Agent persona to communicate with investors, showcasing its AI technological capabilities and introducing its content product layout in the “AI & Tourism” direction – “Travel Hotspots” and Reputation Rankings. Both are AI-powered features based on big data from user search behaviors and reviews, intelligently providing users with inspiration and decision-making assistance across dimensions such as travel destinations, hotel dining services, and more.

To date, Ctrip’s AI capabilities have permeated pre-trip inspiration, in-trip planning and decision-making, and after-sales service stages. According to financial report data, Ctrip’s product research and development expenses have consistently achieved YoY growth in 2024, reaching RMB 3.1 billion and 3 billion in Q1 and Q2 respectively, maintaining a high level and accounting for over 20% of net revenue.

Ctrip’s Product Research and Development Expenses from 2023 Q3 to 2024 Q2

Date

Product R&D Expenses (Billion RMB)

YoY Growth Rate

2023Q3

36

44 %

2023Q4

29

39 %

2024Q1

31

16 %

2024Q2

30

1 %

Data Source: Corporate Financial Reports
Data Cycle: 2023 Q3 – 2024 Q2

Against the backdrop of intensifying competition in the travel market, investment in AI technology development and application exploration will help provide more intelligent, convenient, and personalized services, matching diverse travel needs and amplifying the professional service capabilities and efficiency advantages of OTA platforms to address cross-industry competition. Ctrip has stated that it will continue to invest in artificial intelligence to promote product and service optimization and business innovation. In the future, Ctrip is expected to leverage its AI & Tourism capabilities to improve user experiences, enhance operational efficiency, and penetrate more niche markets including overseas segments, thereby consolidating its position in the OTA industry.

Our Information:

Website: https://www.moonfox.cn/
Contact number: 400-888-0936

Contact us:

Name: Felix
Title: Director of Sales, Industry Insight Division
Tel: +86 -13366276383
Email: zhouzt@jiguang.cn
Address: 608/F, Tower B, Wintrust Center, No. 1 Xidawang Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

Name: Janette Zhou
Title: Marketing Manager
Tel: +86-13928239332
Email: zhouxt@jiguang,cn
Address: 608/F, Tower B, Wintrust Center, No. 1 Xidawang Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/moonfox-analysis–ctrip-leverages-increased-investment-in-senior-travel-cross-border-tourism-and-ai-as-new-engines-for-growth-302261858.html

SOURCE Aurora Mobile Ltd

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As AI Speeds Up Marketing, Louisville’s RedTag Bets on Strategy

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Independent agency unveils new brand and website, and co-hosts Louisville’s PROOF AI Workshop

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — RedTag, an independent Louisville-based marketing agency, this month unveiled new positioning, marking its evolution from a digital performance agency into a strategy-first marketing partner. The move comes as AI makes execution faster than ever, and RedTag is betting that strategy, not speed, is what will set businesses apart. Clients can now choose from outcome-based programs that best fit their marketing needs. 

“Clients don’t come to us needing more tactics. They come to us needing a path,” said Russ Renbarger, founder and CEO of RedTag. “Our new brand says out loud what our work has shown for years: We start with strategy and build everything on that foundation.”

RedTag built its reputation on high-performing paid digital campaigns. Over the years, the agency expanded into strategy, creative, video production and website development, giving clients one partner for the full scope of their marketing. Most recently, a team of automation specialists has integrated AI across the agency to speed up production and analysis, guided by an internal AI policy that keeps people accountable for quality. The time AI saves goes back into strategy: knowing what to say, who to say it to and why.

“Our best client relationships have always been partnerships, where we’re in the room when the big decisions get made,” said Alison Conway, chief client officer at RedTag. “This evolution is about bringing that strategic partnership to every client.”

On Oct. 14, RedTag co-hosted the PROOF AI Workshop with Slingshot, Vsimple and Advanced Business Solutions. The hands-on event gave Louisville business leaders practical experience applying AI to their own work. RedTag led the event’s AI in Marketing and Branding track, with four sessions ranging from AI search optimization to a playbook for adopting AI across an organization.

“AI can produce hundreds of ads in an afternoon, but it can’t tell you which one your brand actually needs and why,” Renbarger said. “The faster the tools get, the more valuable human-led strategy becomes.”

RedTag was named the agency of record for the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 2025. Its client list includes PGA of America, Castle & Key Distillery, Bourbon Barrel Foods, ShopCaterpillar and American Beverage Marketers. Since 2023, RedTag’s work has received two Emmy Awards and more than 35 ADDY and AIGA awards. The agency is a four-time Louisville Business First Fast 50 honoree and was named one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Kentucky.

To learn more about its outcome-based programs, visit RedTag Programs

About RedTag

RedTag is an independent, strategy-first marketing agency based in Louisville, Kentucky. Established in 2008, the agency starts every engagement by understanding the goal before recommending tactics. With a foundation rooted in discovery, RedTag delivers full-scale marketing campaigns built around each client’s business goals. RedTag serves organizations across hospitality, sports, agriculture, government, retail and consumer packaged goods. Learn more at redtag.agency.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/as-ai-speeds-up-marketing-louisvilles-redtag-bets-on-strategy-302911869.html

SOURCE RED TAG LLC

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The National Association of Mortgage Brokers Announces its Launch of MORE, New Mortgage Education and Professional Development Platform

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NAMB MORE brings training, credentials, professional development and daily mortgage market information together in one place

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) the first and only national volunteer-led and membership-driven organization representing the interests of mortgage brokers and home buyers since 1973, today announced the launch of NAMB MORE(Mortgage Originator Resources and Education), a new learning and professional development platform designed to give mortgage professionals the education, resources and information they need to grow throughout their careers.

MORE officially launches today during NAMB National 2026, being held October 16–19 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The platform is designed as a long-term resource for mortgage professionals at every career stage, bringing training, credentials, professional development and timely industry information together in one place.

Mortgage professionals can learn more and access the platform at nambhasmore.org. Access to MORE will be free through NAMB Focus, January 7–9, 2027. Users must have a NAMB member profile to access the learning management system.

“NAMB MORE represents a significant investment in the future of mortgage professionals and the continued advancement of our industry,” said Michael Farrell, President of NAMB. “We wanted to create more than a collection of courses; we wanted to build a resource that professionals can turn to throughout their careers. NAMB MORE delivers valuable education, professional development and practical information members can apply to their businesses daily. ‘NAMB has MORE’ is a mantra the entire organization embraces, reflecting our commitment to providing the industry with innovative tools that support professional growth, strengthen advocacy and help foster our members’ success. “MORE was developed with the mortgage industry in mind, with NAMB and subject-matter experts contributing to the platform’s educational content.”

The platform is designed to support mortgage professionals from their first year in the business through experienced production, management and leadership roles. Educational resources span foundational mortgage knowledge, loan origination, mortgage programs and products, business growth, sales and marketing, borrower experience, professional development and more.

The MORE course library includes content across core categories such as:

Business Strategy & GrowthLoan OriginationMortgage FoundationsMortgage Programs & ProductsProfessional Development & Workplace SkillsSales, Marketing & Borrower ExperienceGeneral

Additional learning resources and credentials are designed to help mortgage professionals continue developing their skills as their careers evolve.

A key component of the new platform is the MORE Daily Dashboard, which serves as the home screen members see when they log into MORE. Rather than requiring members to visit the platform only when completing a course or pursuing a credential, the Daily Dashboard is designed to give mortgage professionals a reason to return every day.

The Daily Dashboard currently features:

Mortgage Rate Alert Widget: Provides information about the factors affecting mortgage rates and refreshes at least hourly.Upcoming Events: Highlights NAMB events and opportunities so members can stay connected to the association and industry.Daily Access to MORE: Provides a central starting point for accessing education, professional development and other resources.

“The Daily Dashboard is an important part of what makes MORE different,” added Farrell. “We want MORE to become part of a mortgage professional’s daily routine. Whether someone is checking the latest rate information, looking for an upcoming NAMB event or continuing their professional education, MORE puts useful resources in one place.”

About NAMB: The National Association of Mortgage Brokers has been the only national volunteer-led and membership-driven organization representing the interests of mortgage professionals and homebuyers since 1973. NAMB provides mortgage professionals with advocacy, education, and rigorous certification programs to recognize members with the highest levels of professional knowledge and education. NAMB’s active lobbying and advocacy efforts focus on national and state issues, protecting the interests of its members and borrowers. As the leading national trade association for the mortgage industry, NAMB is affiliated with state associations throughout the country and represents the interests of more than 546,800 licensed and registered Mortgage Loan Originators and 49,100 licensed Mortgage Broker and Mortgage Lender businesses throughout the U.S. www.namb.org

Media Contact

Joshua Steinfeld, Steinfeld Consulting, 1 339-225-1581, steinfeldconsulting@gmail.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/the-national-association-of-mortgage-brokers-announces-its-launch-of-more-new-mortgage-education-and-professional-development-platform-302910967.html

SOURCE The National Association of Mortgage Brokers

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The United States Golf Association Selects Gupta Media as Paid Media Agency of Record

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The appointment comes as the USGA looks to continue to strengthen brand equity and increase awareness and engagement with golfers nationwide

BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The USGA, the non-profit governing body of golf in the United States, has named Gupta Media its paid media agency of record following a competitive pitch process that began in February. Gupta Media will lead paid media strategy, planning, buying and reporting in support of the USGA’s Championship ticketing and broader commercial initiatives, while helping grow brand equity, awareness and engagement across the organization. Its work will span key USGA priorities, including golf’s official Handicap Index® and GHIN app; the Rules of Golf and the USGA’s governance of the game; Membership; and initiatives that advance golf through sustainability, research and innovation, and greater access and inclusion. The relationship expands beyond media execution to include audience strategy, first-party data integration, measurement and optimization.

“Gupta Media stood out for its ability to connect the dots between data, audience strategy, media and creative to real business outcomes, so we’re incredibly excited for this next chapter.”

The relationship comes at an important moment for the USGA, with the organization focused on continuing to expand its reach and deepening brand affinity across the ever-growing, diverse golf community. Gupta Media will help drive ticket sales for some of the sport’s biggest events, including the 2027 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, the 2027 U.S. Women’s Open at Inverness Club, the 2028 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club and the 2028 U.S. Women’s Open at Oakmont Country Club. The agency will also support the USGA in creating greater awareness and brand recognition for its corporate Partners through co-branded content and paid media.

Golf has an enormous network of people who love the game, creating a growing opportunity to build a deeper, more direct relationship between golfers and the organization. That challenge is exactly what Gupta Media is built to strategically address — from growing membership and promoting ticket sales for major live events to reaching new audiences and understanding customer lifetime value. By bringing together audience insights, first-party data and media performance, Gupta Media will help the USGA create more relevant, effective marketing that drives measurable business results while strengthening its connection with the next generation of golfers.

“We were looking for an agency that could bring a deep understanding of our audiences, a genuine enthusiasm for our mission and the strategic expertise to work with us through this next phase of golf’s growth,” said Lynn LaRocca, USGA’s Managing Director of Brand & Marketing. “Gupta Media stood out for its ability to connect the dots between data, audience strategy, media and creative to real business outcomes, so we’re incredibly excited for this next chapter.”

“There’s a personal element to this partnership that makes it especially rewarding. My golf journey began 30 years ago when I first visited Pebble Beach as a teenager, long before I could imagine actually playing on the course,” said Gogi Gupta, Founder, Gupta Media. “To now have the opportunity to connect that lifelong passion for the game with the work we’ve spent years building and fine-tuning our agency to do feels like kismet. We’re eager to bring our proficiency to an organization that plays a leading role in the great game.”

The relationship brings together Gupta Media’s deep experience in sports marketing with its data-driven approach to audience strategy, media and creative. The agency has developed a specialized set of tools and processes to address data and analytics challenges of sports and live events, including TallyTickets.com, its proprietary ticketing analytics platform that helps teams understand sales trends, forecast demand and make more informed marketing and media decisions. Gupta Media’s experience spans sports, entertainment, premium events, and pop culture, giving the agency a comprehensive understanding of the audience models and fan behaviors that shape the industry.

About the USGA:

The USGA is a mission-based golf organization whose purpose is to unify the golf community through handicapping and grassroots programs; to showcase the game’s best talent through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, and 13 other national championships and our museum; to provide unbiased global governance with The R&A through the playing, equipment and Amateur Status rules; and to advance issues important to golf’s future, with a focus on driving sustainability.

About Gupta Media:

Gupta Media, a certified Minority Business Enterprise, is a strategic consultancy at the intersection of creative strategy, digital media, advanced analytics, and performance marketing. We drive growth for professional sports franchises, global tech leaders, DTC brands, major music labels, and other high-profile organizations by building intelligent media plans, best-in-class reporting tools, and custom enterprise technology. Founded 25 years ago by Cornell grad Gogi Gupta, the agency is known for developing new methods of maximizing advertising efficiency in a digital-first world. Harvard Business School’s case study on Gupta Media was taught to all incoming students for three years and is still taught around the globe.

Media Contact

Carly Carioli, Gupta Media, 1 617-682-3733, ccarioli@guptamedia.com, guptamedia.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/the-united-states-golf-association-selects-gupta-media-as-paid-media-agency-of-record-302911621.html

SOURCE Gupta Media

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