On September 3, 2014, the 7th “2014 Global Travel News Summit” was held in Shanghai. With the theme “China’s Strategies in a Changing World,” the event gathered over 800 top industry leaders, including James Liang, CEO of Ctrip.com, James Jianzhang Zhuang, CEO of Qunar.com, and Bart Tompkins, Executive President of Amadeus Greater China, who came together to analyze global and Chinese tourism trends and discuss in depth the ways the industry is evolving.
As the flagship brand under the Global Travel News conference series, the “Global Travel News Summit” has been held since its inaugural forum in 2008. To date, it has invited nearly 1,000 industry leaders to speak and welcomed over 6,000 attendees, covering the highest echelons of the global travel industry.
In his speech, Mr. He analyzed current industry trends and also shared the distinctive features and valuable experiences of Zunzhi’s development. He believes that the widespread use of smartphones and 3G/4G networks has provided a prime opportunity for rapid growth in the car rental industry. In this era of fierce competition, differentiation is key. Through eight years of direct operations, Zunzhi has accumulated extensive operational experience and achieved innovations in comprehensive car services, car rentals, business vehicle pick-up and drop-off, and intercity chauffeur services. These innovations stem from years of refinement and extensive resource collaboration. “No matter how complex the itinerary, as long as the route is confirmed, we can provide an accurate fixed-price quote on the spot,” said Chairman He Weijun confidently.
As the summit coincided with the release of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport's notice titled “Prohibiting Motor Vehicle Rental Enterprises from Facilitating Illegal Operations,” the thematic panel discussion in this field drew particular attention. Audience members raised sharp questions such as “Can private cars be used for commercial operations?” and “How can illegal vehicles be distinguished from legitimate ones on rental platforms?” In response, Zunzhi Car Chairman He Weijun’s statements won unanimous approval from the attendees. He believes: First, the entry of business vehicles into the car rental market will inevitably provoke pushback from regulators and the traditional taxi industry, primarily due to policy lag. Therefore, at the government level, innovation in the industry should not be abruptly shut down but rather properly regulated, with comprehensive competition encouraged and a fair, reasonable competitive environment established. Second, at the corporate level, competition must be reasonable and should not circumvent regulation. Companies should innovate, not exploit loopholes, and gain competitive advantages through differentiated innovation.
The summit lasted two days and is currently halfway through its schedule. It has already featured in-depth discussions on multiple specialized topics including “hospitality,” “online travel,” and “ground transportation,” with the atmosphere at the event lively and energetic. More exciting content is expected in today’s agenda.