CDFG and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced a far-reaching partnership scheme that connects the two groups’ respective loyalty programmes, cdf Members and IHG One Rewards.
Based on this scheme, members of both loyalty programmes will be able to share a variety of benefits and privileges. CDFG Diamond and Platinum members are entitled to check-in rewards at participating IHG hotels in Hainan, such as welcome drinks on the day of check-in, free room upgrades, -15% discount on food and beverages and late check-out.
They can also enjoy the same benefits at over 50 luxury IHG hotels and resorts across the Chinese Mainland by signing up for the InterContinental Ambassador experience pass.
Pictured third from left is CDFG Executive Vice President Chang Zhujun (Luke Chang) alongside InterContinental Hotels Group Greater China Managing Director Daniel Aylmer (third from right). They are joined by CDFG Marketing Department General Manager Yu Miao (second from left); InterContinental Hotels Group Greater China Chief Marketing Officer Hu Yingchun,(second from right); CDFG Director of Marketing Department Yang Lin (left) and InterContinental Hotels Group Greater China Chief Director of Guest Loyalty and Strategic Cooperation Marketing Chen Lei (right)
Meanwhile, IHG One Rewards Platinum Card and Diamond Card holders can enjoy a host of CDFG privileges, including complimentary access to VIP lounges at Duty Zero by cdf at Hong Kong International Airport, cdf Macau Grand Lisboa Palace Shop and cdf Angkor City store in Cambodia.
This integration of comprehensive retail and hotel privileges will provide a refreshing leisure and holiday experience to consumers.
CDFG Executive Vice President Luke Chang: One-stop ‘duty free shopping + high-end hotel’ experience
“Both celebrated for their excellent operational standards and world-class service, the partners have successfully established a sharing programme of privileges and rewards for their high-level members with a focus on Hainan, a hotspot for tourism and duty free retail,” the company added.
CDFG Executive Vice President Luke Chang commented: “With long-term relationships with more than 1,300 brands around the world, CDFG has been the world’s largest travel retailer for two consecutive years. Our loyalty programme, cdf Members, offers our members a variety of value-added services that covers the areas of retail, travel, hotel and tourism.
“CDFG and InterContinental Hotels Group have long enjoyed mutual trust and cooperation. This time around, we are joining forces to share our resources and deepen our partnership specifically for our valued members. Backed by the high-calibre operational standards and services of both groups, we are jointly creating a one-stop ‘duty free shopping + high-end hotel’ experience that will offer our premium members a wider range of benefits.”
IHG Greater China Chief Marketing Officer Hu Yingchun: A new chapter for cultural and tourism consumption
IHG Greater China Chief Marketing Officer Hu Yingchun said: “Since entering the China 48 years ago, IHG has stayed committed to exploring the huge potential of the Chinese market and meeting the needs of Chinese consumers. We have been closely following the national development strategies and seizing the opportunities presented by the dual-circulation development pattern.
“We are always seeking to understand the changing market trends and consumer needs, and working with our partners to help contribute to the development of China’s cultural tourism and consumer markets.
“Hainan Free Trade Port is an important platform for the implementation of the dual-circulation development pattern. By deepening our partnership in Hainan, we want to open a new chapter for cultural and tourism consumption in China with an extensive integration of duty free shopping and hotel experiences, bringing exciting and wide-ranging benefits to Chinese travellers.”
CDFG noted that China’s duty free market has enjoyed rapid development and strong policy support in recent years, especially in Hainan, where offshore duty free consumption has become increasingly convenient and interesting for tourists.
In the meantime, the development of Hainan’s booming duty free industry is also changing the island’s hotel industry, bringing new inspiration to various aspects of the sector, from investment and development to operation and marketing.
The collaboration between the world’s largest travel retailer and a leading international hotel group will elevate the member experience in innovative ways and better serve consumer demand in both retail and luxury travel. This will further release consumption potential and boost the comprehensive development of Hainan’s cultural tourism.
The latest agreement builds on a well-established relationship. As long-term strategic partners, CDFG and IHG have been carrying out in-depth cooperation in hotel investment and development.
In 2021, the groups signed an agreement to develop two IHG hotels, the Regent Sanya Haitang Bay and Hotel Indigo Sanya Haitang Bay, at cdf Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex.
This March, the partners joined forces once again, announcing another partnership to bring an InterContinental Hotel and an Even Hotel to cdf Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex. These collaborations have added impetus to the planning and development of Hainan Free Trade Port as well as the island’s tourism and retail industries.
The latest partnership scheme, with a focus on loyalty programmes and member experience, is another testament of the two groups’ joint commitment to continuously cultivate Hainan’s travel retail market and maintain the vitality and momentum of the island’s cultural tourism.
Source: ©The Moodie Davitt Report