Ctrip.com (CTRP) today announced the promotion of Min Fan to be Ctrip's new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

James Liang, Ctrip's Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer, will continue to serve as the Chairman and also lead Ctrip's strategic development and new business initiatives.

Fan is a co-founder of Ctrip and has held several senior managerial positions at Ctrip, including Chief Operating Officer prior to the promotion. Fan has over 15 years of experience in the travel industry in China.

Prior to founding Ctrip, he worked as the general manager of Shanghai Travel Agency, a leading travel agency in China, and also worked as the Deputy General Manager of Shanghai New Asia Hotel Management Company, a leading hotel management company.

Fan obtained his Master's and Bachelor's degrees from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He also studied at the Lausanne Hotel Management School of Switzerland.