March 15, 2010 (FinancialWire) — Ctrip.com International, Ltd. (NASDAQ: CTRP), a travel service provider in China, said that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire minority stakes in two hotel operating companies.

Through two separate transactions, Ctrip will acquire minority stakes in each of China Lodging Group, Ltd. and BTG-Jianguo Hotels & Resorts Co., Investment in China Lodging Group.

Ctrip said it entered into definitive agreements to acquire a stake equal to around 8% of China Lodging’s total ordinary shares outstanding.

China Lodging operates an economy hotel chain in China. The company has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with an initial public offering with an estimated price range of $10.25 to $12.25 per American Depositary Share.

BTG-Jianguo Hotels & Resorts Co., Ltd., or BTG-Jianguo, is a hotel management company based in China that manages over 60 hotels throughout China, with a focus on mid-to-high end markets.

In March 2010, Ctrip entered into an agreement with Hongkong Polaris Hotels, or Polaris, whereby Ctrip has agreed to purchase from Polaris a 15% equity interest in BTG-Jianguo with an option to acquire another 10% within one year after the closing.

China-based Ctrip.com International is a travel service provider for hotel accommodations, airline tickets and packaged tours in China. Ctrip aggregates information on hotels and flights and sells packaged tours that include transportation and accommodation, as well as guided tours in some instances. Ctrip targets primarily business and leisure travelers in China.

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