Collinson, the owner and operator of Priority Pass, is capitalizing on the resurgence of travel across the Asia Pacific region by expanding its network of airport lounges and travel experiences.
According to a recent research report released by Collinson, based on data from the first seven months of 2023 (from January to July), there has been a remarkable 44% surge in airport lounge visits in the Asia Pacific region. South and South-East Asia have shown the most significant growth, and when comparing lounge visit statistics for July 2023 to July 2019 (pre-pandemic), a notable 32% increase has been observed.
Collinson, a global provider of airport experiences and loyalty solutions, responded swiftly to the surge in travelers by increasing its Asia Pacific network by nearly 20% during the first half of 2023.
This expansion includes innovative additions such as a Japanese-style public bath, a capsule hotel, and co-working spaces. Globally, Priority Pass members can now access an extensive selection of over 1,400 airport lounges and travel experiences.
Todd Handcock, Global Chief Commercial Officer and Asia Pacific President at Collinson, stated, “As we celebrate the almost full resumption of travel in the Asia Pacific region, where air passenger traffic is reported to sit at over 90% of pre-pandemic levels, we remain focused on elevating our members’ travel journeys by growing and enhancing our airport lounges and travel experiences.”
Handcock further added, “In the first half of this year alone, we worked closely and collaboratively with industry partners across the region to increase the number of airport lounges and travel experiences in the Asia Pacific network by close to 20%.”
A comprehensive report, based on insights from over 4,750 frequent travelers across 10 Asia Pacific markets, revealed that travelers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, actively seek unique and immersive experiences. Notably, airport lounge access emerged as the foremost top travel benefit among respondents, with other highly-rated experiences including dining discounts and lifestyle and wellness perks, accessible through a Priority Pass membership.
Priority Pass members now have access to an additional 88 new airport lounges and travel experiences across the Asia Pacific region. This expansion includes a renewed partnership with Plaza Premium, resulting in the addition of 27 lounges across key travel destinations, including Cambodia, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
Collinson’s network has also been further enhanced through direct agreements with Blue Sky Group, Noi Bai Aviation Joint Stock Company, and SSP Malaysia in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia, respectively.
Moreover, a direct partnership with Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Business Travel Service Co Ltd has added seven premium airport lounges in Mainland China to the network.
“As we address the escalating volumes and evolving preferences of travelers, our focus remains on broadening our offerings to provide seamless, delightful, and stress-free travel experiences. This is corroborated by insights from our recent Asia Pacific customer engagement and loyalty research report, where 76% of consumers view a brand’s provided experience as equally significant as its products or services.” Handcock emphasised. Currently, Priority Pass members can enjoy travel benefits across over 550 airport lounges and travel experiences across the Asia Pacific and 1,400 worldwide, including major travel hubs.
