Lufthansa Joins Hands With BEXCO
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Lufthansa and Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) have agreed to beef up joint marketing activities.
The German airline and the convention company signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation at a network meeting of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea (EUCCK) at Nurimaru APEC House in Busan, Monday.
Lufthansa is the only European carrier operating international services to the southeastern port city.
Leandro Tonidandel, general manager of Lufthansa's Busan office, said that the airline and BEXCO will make efforts to develop Busan's convention and tourism industry.
``Lufthansa will offer special discounted fares to participants in international conferences and exhibitions held at BEXCO. We'll also promote BEXCO through various global marketing tools, such as an interactive map available on Lufthansa's Web site,'' Tonidandel said.
In return, BEXCO will name Lufthansa as its cooperating carrier on its Web sites and official documents and promote the airline at international conventions and events held in the city.
Lufthansa began operating the Busan-Munich route via Incheon in 2007, becoming the first European carrier to offer regular direct flights between Busan and a European city. The three weekly flights provide travelers from Busan and South Gyeongsang Province with the fastest transport to Munich and connections to European cities and beyond. They also offer the opportunity for the people of the two cities to have human, cultural and business exchanges.
Besides the Busan-Munich operation, Lufthansa operates daily flights between Incheon and Frankfurt, six weekly between Incheon and Munich, and three weekly between Incheon and Shenyang in China.
As part of its localization effort, the carrier has Korean flight attendants onboard and provides a Korean in-flight meal including ``bibimbap,'' kimchi, red-pepper paste and noodle cup. First and business class passengers can have a Star Chef menu created by chef Park Hyo-nam of Millennium Seoul Hilton, along with wines selected by the world's master sommeliers, Markus Del Monego.
Korean-language newspapers, magazines and video and audio entertainment programs are also available.
Upon arrival at Frankfurt and Munich airports, a ``Korean Welcome Service'' is available, in which Korean staff members assist travelers with information about the airports, transfers, customs and tours of the cities.
Lufthansa flies to 206 destinations in 78 countries.