Shanghai, June 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
A new alliance with China Eastern Airlines, a collaboration with Ctrip, as well as food, art, and fashion events during Expo Milano 2015, will all cater to the needs of Chinese travelers.
Value Retail, the developer and operator of the Village Collection — consisting of 10 luxury discount shopping villages in Europe and China — will partner with China Eastern Airlines, one of China's three major airlines. This announcement was made this week at the ILTM Asia (International Luxury Travel Market Asia) held in Shanghai.
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This partnership means that members of China Eastern Airlines’ frequent flyer reward program can enjoy special offers, including 1 British pound/euro or 10 RMB off for every 3 airline miles spent at the shopping villages. Additionally, extra airline mile rewards, VIP services, complimentary shopping delivery, and promotions will be available to China Eastern Airlines frequent flyer members throughout 2015.
This alliance with China Eastern is the latest in a series of travel and tourism collaborations aimed at promoting the Collection of Villages to Chinese customers. Earlier this year, Value Retail announced a new partnership with Ctrip, China’s leading online travel agency, to deliver travel services through both online and traditional channels, thereby bringing the luxury experience of the Collection of Villages to a wider Chinese audience. Value Retail is also a partner of Air China. The recent initiatives mean customers can use 3 airline miles to offset 1 British pound/euro or 10 RMB spent at the shopping villages.
The shopping experience offers an authentic taste of Europe by combining luxury shopping with art, culture, gourmet food, and special events — all of which are highly favored by Chinese customers. In 2014, China was the largest strategic market contributing to sales of tax-free (non-EU) purchases, accounting for 44% of total tax-free sales, an increase of 29% year-on-year. To welcome Chinese customers, the shopping villages have introduced special services, including Mandarin-speaking staff in many boutiques and acceptance of UnionPay International payment methods.
This unique outlet shopping experience is now available in China, and Value Retail’s first shopping village in the country, Suzhou Village, celebrated its first anniversary this month. With its carefully curated selection of Asian and international brands, along with world-class exhibitions and events, the village has been hailed as part of China’s new generation of outlets. As the second shopping village in China, Shanghai Village (Shanghai Village) will open in spring 2016, adjacent to the Shanghai Disney Resort.
Chinese customers visiting Expo Milano 2015 can head to Fidenza Village near Milan to enjoy a unique experience offered at the Chinese Villages. Especially during the Expo period, Fidenza Village became the “ambassador of Made in Italy,” showcasing Italian art, fashion, food, and design through collaborations with various partners and ambassadors. A multi-sensory experience and event program inspired by three classic Italian themes will launch in summer: "Romantic Opera" (May–June), "La Dolce Vita" (July–August), and "Italian Passion" (September–October). During the October “Golden Week” holiday, Chinese customers can also enjoy a program of various activities and special offers at the shopping villages.
The International Luxury Travel Market Asia is an invitation-only event where global luxury travel experience providers can connect with buyers representing the fast-growing and highly engaged luxury travel market in the Asia-Pacific region. The expo is being held from June 1 to 4, 2015, at the Shanghai Exhibition Center.