The Mall Group is making waves in the tourism industry by teaming up with a diverse array of partners, including top-tier hotels, airlines, international payment platforms, travel websites, and more. Their mission? To create a robust Tourism Ecosystem and expand the Tourism Network, luring global travelers to their stores. The latest chapter in this venture saw alliances with 16 leading airlines, major international payment platforms, and popular travel websites, all set to offer unparalleled experiences and exclusive perks for foreign tourists shopping at The Mall Group’s department stores. This collaboration aims to draw tourists during the June to August period, aligning with the summer holidays in many countries.
Miss Voralak Tulaphorn, Chief Marketing Officer of The Mall Group Co., Ltd, explained, “In line with the government’s commitment to boosting national income and positioning 2025 as the ‘Year of Tourism,’ we have strategically partnered with various stakeholders in the tourism sector. This collaboration forms a strong Tourism Ecosystem designed to attract foreign tourists. The cornerstone of our initiative is to support the growth of our international clientele. Previously, we partnered with over 100 hotels to provide exceptional experiences and special privileges to foreign visitors. Our latest collaboration includes 16 world-class airlines such as Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Emirates, EVA Air, Japan Airlines, Nok Air, Qatar Airways, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Spring Airlines, Starlux Airlines, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet Air. Moreover, we’ve teamed up with major international payment platforms like VISA, and top Chinese financial institutions including Alipay, UnionPay, and WeChat Pay. Furthermore, our association with Trip.com Group, a leading one-stop travel service platform, ensures we offer a seamless and rewarding experience across various platforms. Whether customers want to book their trips via Trip.com, buy air tickets from participating airlines, or reserve accommodations at partnering hotels, they’ll enjoy unparalleled benefits through seamless payments using VISA, UnionPay, Alipay, or WeChat Pay at our department stores.”
Mr. Kittiphong Sansomboon, Director of Customer & Marketing Department at Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI), added, “Thai Airways is proud to partner with The Mall Group in shaping a comprehensive Tourism Ecosystem. Tourism significantly contributes to Thailand’s GDP, being a primary source of national income. We’ve expanded our flights to over 59 routes and are planning to introduce two new routes in July to Oslo and Milan, catering to the increasing influx of tourists.”
Mr. Michael Liu, Vice President of Trip.com Group, shared, “Trip.com is one of the largest OTA networks globally, available in 24 languages across 39 countries and regions, with transactions in 35 local currencies. We boast an extensive network of over 1.7 million hotels and flights from more than 600 airlines. We anticipate a record number of summer holiday reservations for the upcoming June to August period, signaling a promising future for the tourism industry. Our partnership with The Mall Group will bring additional special privileges to our customers and greatly enhance their shopping experience.”
Mr. Punnamas Vichitkulwongsa, Country Manager for Visa Thailand, commented, “As a global leader in digital payments and a longstanding partner of The Mall Group, Visa recognizes tourism’s vital role in bolstering the economy. According to our recent study on inbound tourism, shopping tops the list for global travelers visiting Thailand, with Bangkok remaining the leading destination. To amplify their travel experience, we’re excited to offer a special promotion exclusively for international visitors. Visa cardholders will receive a 200 baht gift voucher when they spend 4,000 baht or more per receipt at Emporium, EmQuartier, Emsphere, and Paragon Department Stores, or when they pay for dining with a cumulative spend of 2,500 baht or more using a Visa credit, debit, or prepaid card issued by international financial institutions. This partnership aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences, making every trip to Thailand unforgettable with Visa.”
This is just another way for big corporations to take advantage of tourists. Do they really care about the culture or just their profits?
Come on, John, it’s not all about profits! It’s beneficial for the economy and brings jobs. Tourists want these services anyway.
Sure, but at what cost? Local businesses suffer and the culture gets commercialized.
John, Sophia has a point. Boosting tourism can lead to infrastructure improvements and more business for everyone. Balance is key.
I think it’s a great initiative! We’re in a global economy, and collaborations like these make traveling smoother and more fun.
Wow, 16 airlines and multiple payment platforms, that’s impressive. Can’t wait to see how this changes the travel experience in Thailand.
Isn’t it a bit discriminatory to offer all these perks to tourists only? What about the locals?
Good point, Paul. It’s like saying locals don’t deserve the same benefits even though they contribute to the economy year-round.
It’s tourism-focused, Paul. The aim is to boost national income by attracting more foreign tourists.
I think this will significantly boost tourism. Those exclusive deals are going to be a huge draw!
But at what cost, Sam? Will this just make the rich richer and leave the rest of us behind?
It’s both exciting and a bit sad. While this will bring in more tourists, it might also erode the authentic cultural experiences in Thailand.
As someone who frequently travels to Thailand, I appreciate these steps. Anything that makes my experience better is a plus in my book.
It’s a great idea on paper, but let’s see how well it’s executed. Will the employees be trained well enough to handle these new perks?
I don’t get why people are so upset. This just seems like a win-win for everyone involved.
Jake, tourism always has a hidden cost. Environmental damage and exploitation of locals are just a few issues.
Finally, a coordinated effort to improve tourism in Thailand. It was about time!
Mixed feelings here. It’s great for tourism but will it displace traditional businesses?
16 airlines! That’s quite the catch. I usually avoid mall culture when I travel, but this might change my mind.
It’s a win for digital payment systems for sure. Thailand could really become a cashless society soon.
I actually work for a local business in Bangkok and I’m worried this will take customers away from local artisans.
Exclusive perks and seamless payments sound great, but does it really enhance the overall travel experience, or just the shopping part?
Lily, I think a seamless shopping experience can make the trip more enjoyable, though it shouldn’t overshadow local experiences.
This is a clever marketing move. Drawing tourists with special offers is brilliant.
Are there any plans to get feedback from tourists to continually improve this initiative? That would be key.
I didn’t realize shopping was such a huge deal for tourists. I always thought it was about the beaches and temples.
Harry, shopping is huge for tourists because they want unique items and experiences they can’t get back home.
How will they handle potential language barriers with such a diverse tourist base?
I think this initiative shows vision and planning. It’s bound to have teething problems, but a lot of potential to succeed.
Sounds awesome! But what about health protocols? Are they in place to handle the influx of tourists?
Great point, Tourist123! Ensuring safety should be a priority along with all these perks.
Historically, such large-scale tourism initiatives often benefit the elite. Let’s see if this one bucks the trend.