Alibaba, Marriott partner for Chinese bookings

The new partnership allows customers in China to book directly with Marriott through Alibaba's travel site and app. Image: YouTube/alibaba.com

Aug. 8 (UPI) — Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba on Monday announced it is teaming up with U.S. hotel giant Marriott to offer online travel bookings in China.

Chinese customers will be able to use Alibaba’s travel website and app, Fliggy, to book rooms at more than 6,200 properties across the globe, including Marriott, Courtyard, Ritz-Carlton and Sheraton hotels.

A Marriott site run through Alibaba will allow customers to sign up for the hotel chain’s loyalty programs and offer other promotions and services, like group tours tailored for Chinese travelers. The companies seek to offer shopping, dining, sightseeing and entertainment deals — like concerts and court-side seats at sporting events — all in one place.

Marriott hotels in some countries also will accept Alibaba’s online payment service, Alipay.

“By forming this partnership, we are pairing our hospitality expertise with Alibaba’s digital travel platform, retail expertise and digital payment platform, Alipay, and driving membership to our loyalty programs,” Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson said in a statement.

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