Alex Kim, fourth from left, chief marketing officer of Paradise City, and Namgoong Pyo, fifth from left, head of marketing at Lotte Duty Free, pose with other officials from both sides in Incheon, Friday, after signing a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in attracting Chinese visitors. Courtesy of Paradise City
Korea’s top duty-free operator and largest integrated resort have teamed up to revive inbound tourism, with a focus on attracting Chinese visitors.
The companies signed a memorandum of understanding Friday at Paradise City on Yeongjong Island, Incheon. The ceremony was attended by Alex Kim, chief marketing officer of Paradise City, and Namgoong Pyo, head of marketing at Lotte Duty Free, along with other officials from both sides.
Under the agreement, the partners will create a one-stop travel and retail experience linking accommodation, shopping and entertainment, while integrating customer data and marketing channels to strengthen engagement with overseas travelers.
The partnership comes as Lotte Duty Free recently resumed operations at Incheon International Airport for the first time in three years, part of broader efforts to expand its global customer base. The two sides plan to roll out joint marketing campaigns to drive demand and encourage spending among inbound tourists.
Leveraging Lotte Duty Free’s network of 2.5 million foreign members, the companies will step up their push into the Chinese market. Paradise City has also expanded its capacity to handle larger visitor volumes by acquiring and reopening the Hyatt Regency Incheon in March.
The partnership will focus on two main areas. First, the companies will link membership programs and premium services to encourage new visits and repeat customers, including expanded perks for high-spending shoppers, coupon book distribution, membership upgrades and premium accommodation packages.
Second, promotional videos for Paradise City will be showcased across Lotte Duty Free’s offline stores, the media wall at Star Avenue and global online channels to expand customer touchpoints.
Lotte Duty Free said the agreement is expected to generate synergies by attracting new visitors and encouraging repeat stays through integrated membership and premium services, while enhancing brand competitiveness.
Paradise City described the collaboration as the first joint project between the nation’s leading duty-free retailer and largest integrated resort, adding that the reopening of the Hyatt Regency has completed its visitor infrastructure and will support efforts to capture demand from the Chinese market.
Source: Korea Times News
