Airlines gear up for aggressive marketing
By Lee Hyo-sik
Both domestic and foreign airlines operating flights linking Korea and cities across the globe are aggressively marketing now that the Year of the Rabbit has dawned, in a bid to capitalize on a record number of Koreans expected to travel overseas.
Non-Korean airline companies are taking the lead by organizing a range of promotional events to entice outbound Korean travelers to fly with them, instead of onboard Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, the nation’s two flagship carriers.
Among others, Cathay Pacific has introduced three winter airtel (airplane + hotel) packages ㅡ ``Visit Hong Kong,’’ ``Hong Kong Super City’’ and ``Hong Kong Premium Super City’’ ㅡ for Koreans traveling to Hong Kong during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday between Feb. 2 and 6.
These packages provide round trip tickets, a hotel stay as well as fringe benefits, and are specially prepared for those who want to enjoy a romantic winter holiday through various events and festivals in the port city.
Visit Hong Kong and Hong Kong Super City have been the most popular products from Cathay Pacific, particularly among travelers seeking to enjoy all essential aspects at reasonable prices.
The Visit Hong Kong Package is designed for ``smart travelers’’ because its greatest advantage is the variety of 27 hotels to choose from including the Grand Hyatt, Shangri-la, the Peninsula, and the Harbor Grand Hotel,
Hong Kong Super City Airtel is also well known among tourists who want to visit Hong Kong for a short winter break. The package also includes a 2 or 3 night stay, a half day Hong Kong city tour, and complimentary overweight luggage check.
Hong Kong Premium Super Package offers tourists a premium travel experience by flying in business class at roughly 900,000 won.
``With diverse events like Hong Kong winter sales, Christmas lighting and a lunar new year’s day parade, our airtel packages are really good for private tours. For those wishing to make precious memories with their loved ones this winter holiday, the packages will provide a great travel opportunity,” the airline’s sales & marketing manager Chang Jun-mo said.
The Hong Kong-based airline also offers discounted tickets for Koreans traveling to Australia via Hong Kong. Those planning to go to Australia in March only need to pay 530,000 won for round trip tickets. Additionally, travelers can buy tickets this month for 726,000 won which will be valid for one year.
Hawaiian Airlines are giving away free round trip tickets and hotel vouchers to Koreans who enter in the event at its Korean website (https://www.hawaiianairlines.co.kr) from Jan. 3 to March 7.
One couple will be picked for the prize every three weeks during the two-months-long promotion, so three couples will win flights to Hawaii and stay at one of the best hotels and resorts there, free of charge. Those selected will be required later to submit an essay about their trip along with 10 photos.
Additionally, Korean travelers who fly with Finn Air through Feb. 28 will be awarded double mileage, while Singapore Airlines will present an airplane-shaped USB to the first 100 passengers purchasing more than two round trip tickets this month through its local website (singaporeair.com/kr).
In cooperation with hotels in Dubai, Emirates Airlines plans to offer Korean travelers a free-night’s stay during the 15th annual Dubai Shopping Festival, which will kick off on Jan. 20 and last through Feb. 20. Travelers who book a three-night stay will get a fourth one for free.
To keep up with their foreign rivals attracting more Korean passengers, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines have also launched a range of promotional events for those who buy tickets from their websites.
First, the nation’s largest airline will pick 100 customers among those buying air tickets to Singapore from its website (https://kr.koreanair.com) from Jan. 3-31. Those selected will be presented with a SG$50 shopping voucher that can be used at any duty free shop in Singapore.
Until Feb. 20, travelers who book flights on the company’s website will also receive a 10-percent discount coupon at hotels overseas and two tickets to an exhibition held at France’s Versailles Palace.
Asiana Airlines has also prepared an array of prizes, including an international round trip ticket to some of its mileage program members who post happy New Year messages on its website (https://flyasiana.com) until Jan. 15.
On Feb. 7, the airliner will pick some of its customers who were born in the Year of Rabbit and buy air tickets online as winners of a complimentary round trip ticket to Jeju Island, department store gift certificates and other prizes.