elong

Chinese online travel booking services provider eLong has officially launched its mobile reservation service.

eLong expands mobile

Founded in 1999, eLong is a leading provider of online travel booking services allowing consumers to make hotel and flight reservations as well as access other services including destination guides. It is owned by US online travel reservation website Expedia.com.

Users can now go to eLong's mobile website (m.elong.com) from their cellphone and book hotels and tickets. It only takes a few minutes to make a mobile reservation.

eLong's mobile website has been put into trial operation since December 2009 and now is formally launched.

Chinese online travel market is booming

China's online tourism market is booming due to increases in the wealthy middle class travelling for pleasure, use of credit cards and Chinese Internet population.

Chinese online travel market is led by a few actors including Qunar.com, Ctrip.Com, Aijiatu.com and eLong.com. Taobao also recently entered China's online travel market.

According to Chinese Internet research and consulting firm iResearch, revenue from online flight, hotel and package tour bookings will hit 4.75 billion yuan (695.8 million US dollars) in China in 2010 (up 27 percent from last year).