HUNGARY. Heinemann Duty Free has introduced Alipay and China Union Pay payment solutions to its stores at Budapest Airport, as Chinese passenger numbers increase.
The move comes as the airport prepares to enhance its route network with the launch of a three times weekly service to Shanghai. This joins Air China’s existing connection to Beijing and should increase the market to a potential 80,000 passengers a year, said the airport company.
“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,” said Budapest Airport CEO Jost Lammers. “To become one of the first airports in the region to help promote our retailers to Chinese guests is an important resource for us. Having the ability to utilise China’s largest payment vendors, Alipay and China Union Pay, at Heinemann Duty Free’s stores is a huge step forward.
“We are looking forward to extending these services to our other partners at the terminals later this year, allowing our growing number of Chinese visitors to be assured that all main stores and restaurants will welcome their familiar payment methods. Coming just a few months after rolling out the BUD Airport Chinese mobile app, we are well on the way to becoming a Chinese-friendly airport,” added Lammers.
Heinemann Duty Free Managing Director Budapest Airport Ildikó Jankovich said: “Chinese travellers are an 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 transaction procedure leaves a good impression of our brand, which in turn contributes to loyalty towards Heinemann.”
Jankovich added: “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 buying regional products and local specialities such as wines from the popular Tokaj region and fine Hungarian confectionery.”
