Armen Arakelian, an exhibitor from Australia, introduces lobster to visitors at the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Siwei)

SHANGHAI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- An online accommodation booking platform was launched Thursday to provide a better accommodation experience for attendees of the second China International Import Expo (CIIE), according to the organizer.

Special sections will be opened on the platform by China's leading online travel website Ctrip, and restaurant-review website Meituan, to provide information about hotels, restaurants and shuttle bus routes.

Special coupons will also be available on the platform for guests of the expo, local authorities said.

Over 1,000 new companies will attend the second CIIE slated to take place this November.

A total of 172 countries, regions and international organizations participated in the first CIIE last year. Enditem