Witnessing its rapid growth over the past three decades, China International Travel Service (CITS) Shenzhen Co. Ltd has quickly emerged as a leader in the outbound Chinese tourism market. Established in 1981 as the first non-state owned travel agency in China, CITS Shenzhen has since grown to become the largest comprehensive travel service provider in the country, comprising of 622 wholly-owned branches and 8224 contracted offices, and serving over 30 million customers annually. It provides products and services covering nearly all aspects of travel, including travel consultation services, ticketing, air transport chartering, tour groups, cruise ship package tours, corporate business travel, logistics, express, and hotel and car rental.
Headquartered in Shenzhen, CITS Shenzhen is a subsidiary of CITS Group, born out of the merger of China International Travel Services (CITS) and China Travel Service (CTS). It is now one of the top national multi-function travel agencies in China, serving the outbound Chinese tourism market.
What distinguishes CITS Shenzhen from other travel agencies is its strong connection with CITS Group and the larger China Travel Services Group. This allows it to quickly adapt to the ever-evolving nature of the global travel industry, as well as stay ahead of the competition. A great example of this is its innovative Smart Express Ticketing system, which allows customers to conveniently book their travel tickets online, without needing to physically visit the agency.
Over the years, CITS Shenzhen has also established a sound business management system, which enables it to efficiently manage its network of branches. Furthermore, its wide array of products and services, digital channels, and its in-depth understanding of the Chinese outbound travel market makes it a highly reliable, comprehensive and trusted travel service provider.
According to experts, Chinese outbound travel is projected to continue growing in the years to come. While this presents many opportunities for CITS Shenzhen, there are still a few key challenges that it needs to address in order to remain competitive. These include tackling intensifying competition, as well as further strengthening and expanding its digital capabilities, thereby creating an integrated and seamless travel experience for customers.
At present, CITS Shenzhen is well-positioned to continue growing its business and remain a leader in the Chinese travel market. It is foreseeing significant growth opportunities from the government’s Belt and Road Initiative, as well as the ongoing development of technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence.
Future trends in the Chinese travel market point to the rise of experiences, as well as personalized tourism. In this regard, CITS Shenzhen is aiming to create more personalized experiences for its customers through co-marketing initiatives with various partners, as well as leveraging the power of its extensive network of domestic partners.
CITS Shenzhen’s Financial Performance
From a financial perspective, CITS Shenzhen is performing well. The company’s revenue has been increasing steadily over the past few years, and it reported a net profit of $154 million in 2018. This was primarily driven by increased demand for outbound travel, as well as CITS Shenzhen’s ability to capitalize on the impact of China’s increasing economic clout.
Moreover, the company’s operating expenses have decreased as it continues to make use of technology and digital marketing. This has enabled CITS Shenzhen to optimize its operational efficiency and manage costs, thereby improving its bottom line.
CITS Shenzhen’s Digitalization Strategies
CITS Shenzhen is continually pushing ahead with digitalization strategies. It is using mobile applications and WeChat to engage and communicate with its customers, as well as to develop new formats for customized travel products. In addition, CITS Shenzhen is leveraging big data and analytics to develop tailored travel solutions for customer segments.
Moreover, the company is making vast improvements to its online services, which now includes an all-in-one online booking platform. This provides customers with a convenient and reliable way to book their flights and accommodations with just a few clicks.
CITS Shenzhen’s Awards and Accolades
CITS Shenzhen has received numerous awards and accolades, most notably being listed as one of the “Top 10 Chinese Outbound Tourism Enterprises” by the China National Tourism Administration. In 2018, CITS Shenzhen was listed in the Shanghai Shenzhen ChiNext board, and in the same year, it was selected as “China’s Most Valuable Travel Brand”.
Most recently in 2020, CITS Shenzhen was named “The Most Innovative Chinese Company in the Tourism Industry” by Forrester Research. This coveted award highlighted CITS Shenzhen’s continuous efforts in developing innovative travel products and services, as well as driving the digitalization of the entire outbound Chinese travel industry.
CITS Shenzhen’s Regional Presence
CITS Shenzhen’s regional presence covers all corners of the globe. The company has established a strong international network with a presence in over 40 countries and regions. Notable among these are overseas offices in Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Russia and South Africa.
CITS Shenzhen has also set up branches in key cities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. Furthermore, the company works with numerous local partners to extend its services and provide customers with more options.
CITS Shenzhen’s Corporate Social Responsibility
As a responsible corporate citizen, CITS Shenzhen has been actively involved in various community and social welfare activities. This includes environmental protection initiatives, public health and medical programs, as well as corporate social responsibility campaigns.
Over the years, CITS Shenzhen has donated a total of $3.7 million to various charitable and welfare organizations. The company is also taking active steps to reduce its carbon footprint and promote green travel, such as encouraging the use of hybrid and electric cars, and refusing to serve shark fin dishes.
