SOUTH KOREA. Shinsegae Duty Free has entered into a strategic marketing agreement with China Southern Airlines to launch a membership mileage programme.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding took place on 23 January at Shinsegae Duty Free’s headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. The ceremony was attended by key officials including Shinsegae Duty Free CEO Ryu Sin-yul and China Southern Airlines Korean Branch Manager Wang Xun.
This partnership with one of China’s top three airlines is part of the Korean travel retailer’s proactive marketing strategy to attract tourists from China and Asia.
Through China Southern Airlines’ 97 million members and a fleet of 900 aircraft, Shinsegae Duty Free aims to expand its global reach and capture a more diverse group of tourists.
Under the agreement, China Southern Airlines members will be entitled to exclusive benefits. Platinum card holders will be given the New World Duty Free Black status, which allows them access to Shinsegae Duty Free’s VIP Lounge in Myeongdong.
In addition, members can also enjoy a variety of other perks such as shopping subsidies, discount coupons for Incheon International Airport’s duty free shop and Starbucks drink exchange vouchers. They can also receive mask packs depending on the level of purchase.
Shinsegae Duty Free plans to introduce these benefits starting from the end of February. The retailer aims to expand the mileage accumulation and other partnership benefits in phases.
This agreement marks an initial step towards a long-term, strategic alliance between the two companies, with the travel retailer expressing its commitment to actively pursue more global partnerships in the future.
A Shinsegae Duty Free official said: “With this historic agreement, we envision a continuous exchange of various partnership services and fostering a friendly relationship with China Southern Airlines. Moving forward, Shinsegae Duty Free is poised to actively target individual global tourists through an expanded network of global partnerships.” ✈
