Passengers at Budapest Airport can now use Alipay and China Union Pay at Heinemann Duty Free stores.
Hungary’s busiest airport is already enjoying a growing number of Chinese visitors and the airport is about to add a three times weekly link to Shanghai.
Joining Air China’s existing connection to Beijing, the arrival of Shanghai Airlines’ service – in partnership with China Eastern Airlines – will increase the Asian market to a potential 80,000 passengers per annum visiting Budapest.
By introducing Alipay and China Union Pay, two of the most common payment methods used in China, both the airport and Heinemann realise the benefit of supporting specific visitor groups in the continued growth of non-aeronautical revenues.
Jost Lammers, CEO, Budapest Airport:
“It’s immensely rewarding to see the vision of a long-term project come together and introduce another direct link between Budapest and the Far East.
“To become one of the first airports in the region to also help promote our retailers to our Chinese guests is an important resource for us. Having the ability to now utilise China’s largest payment vendors, Alipay and China Union Pay, at Heinemann Duty Free’s stores is a huge step forward.”
Ildikó Jankovich, Managing Director Heinemann Duty Free at Budapest Airport:
“Chinese travellers are a very important target group for us and we strive to provide an excellent shopping experience for them. We are therefore very excited to launch the leading payment providers Alipay and China Union Pay in our stores. For key Chinese travellers it is of great advantage to be able to use their choice of merchant, which they already use at home, without any currency exchange.
“It is a logical step for us to take advantage of the benefits that these convenient and safe payment methods offer our customers. The payment process is the last stage of their shopping journey and an efficient final transaction procedure leaves a good impression of our brand which in turn contributes to loyalty towards Heinemann.
“For many Chinese tourists and business travellers, purchasing high quality branded goods is an integral part of their journey to Europe. Our Chinese customers are focused on value and they are willing to spend on luxury products and international brands when travelling abroad, where they can often find better prices. In addition, Chinese passengers are increasingly also buying regional products and local specialties such as wines from the popular Tokaj region and fine Hungarian confectionery.”
BUD Airport Chinese Mobile app
Lammers says the airport is planning to add more Chinese payment methods later this year. Extending the services will assure Chinese passengers that all main stores and restaurants will welcome their familiar payment methods. He says the airport is well on the way to becoming a Chinese friendly airport.
Source: Budapest Airport
Image credit: Budapest Airport