Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announced an agreement to cooperate with KEB Hana Card, one of Korea’s largest credit card companies, to promote Centara awareness and offer exclusive benefits to KEB Hana’s 10 million cardholders via KEB Hana Card channels. The two companies will begin working on the strategic alliance this month.

Centara expects the partnership to raise awareness of its 68 city hotels and tropical resorts in Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean and the Middle East, by promoting the brand to millions of KEB Hana cardholders in South Korea and 20 other countries such as the USA, United Kingdom, Japan and more.

“The marketing and PR access to this huge international audience should have significant benefits for both us and KEB Hana’s cardholders,”

said Centara CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat.

“They are well-travelled and we will introduce them to Centara’s Thai-style hospitality, family-friendliness, and unique destinations.”

As a result of this agreement, KEB Hana Card holders will receive exclusive benefits at Centara’s Hotels and Resorts across Southeast Asia. These will be accessed through KEB Hana Card’s exclusive service platform, 'GLOBAL MUST HAVE'. Cardholders booking rooms at Centara Hotels & Resorts properties will receive a special discount on suite rooms of up to 30%.

The alliance will accommodate the growing demand for card usage and benefits for international travel, particularly among young adults. KEB Hana uses many modern channels to communicate with its users, including newsletters, websites, mobile apps, email and text messages.

“We offer our cardholders unique benefits and we look forward to promoting exclusive Centara offers for them,”

said Mr. Hong, Jang-Eui, Executive Director of Global Business Division, KEB Hana Card Co., Ltd.

“As they travel overseas, they will find advantages to using our card at Centara’s wide variety of hotels and resorts.”

The agreement may also provide a springboard to Centara’s sister companies under the Central Group, introducing South Koreans to one of Asia’s most successful retail networks.