China's largest online travel company Ctrip has further strengthened its relationship with the world's biggest online travel group Booking Holdings. Ctrip announced that Gillian Tans, CEO of Booking.com, the largest brand within Booking Holdings, has been designated as Booking Holdings' observer to the Ctrip board of directors, a seat that was previously occupied by Booking.com's Director for Asia Pacific Mr. Oliver Hua.

Ctrip and Booking.com will continue to share access to the companies' combined hotel inventory, allowing customers to select from a wider range of price competitive products globally.

The news of Gillian's appointment comes on the heels of commercial partnership announced between Ctrip, and another Booking Holdings business, OpenTable.  Through the partnership, OpenTable, the world's leading provider of online restaurant reservations, will link its North American restaurants to Ctrip users.

Jane Sun, CEO of Ctrip, said, "We look forward to deepening the relationship between the top two global travel platforms, Booking Holdings and Ctrip. I am confident that our combined resources will bring more innovation and value to global travelers."

"Ctrip is a large partner for Booking in China and the relationship continues to be strong," said Glenn Fogel, Chief Executive Officer of Booking Holdings.

Gillian Tans, CEO of Booking.com said, "We have enjoyed a highly productive partnership with Ctrip since 2012. As the most established travel player in China, Ctrip is the ideal partner to help promote the development of global tourism. I am also honored to be representing Booking Holdings as an observer on Ctrip's board of directors."

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