The meeting was attended by key officials from both companies, including Namgung Pyo, Head of Lotte Duty Free’s marketing department (right), and Liu Kun, Vice GM of China Tourism Group (left).

Lotte Duty Free CEO Dong-ha Kim recently met with executives from China Duty Free Group (CDFG) and its parent company, China Tourism Group, to hold a business meeting to promote the development of both companies and revitalise the duty free industry.

This business meeting, held on the afternoon of June 18 at the Lotte Duty Free headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, was planned to establish a foundation for mutual exchange through cooperation, and the improvement of Korea-China relations.

The two companies shared their know-how in operating duty free shops and discussed exchanges and cooperation in the tourism sector, including hotels and tourist destinations.

On the afternoon of June 19, CDFG executives are scheduled to personally tour duty-free shops in downtown Seoul, including Lotte Duty Free’s Myeongdong main branch.

The number of Chinese tourists visiting Korea is expected to increase significantly when the temporary visa-free entry policy for Chinese group tourists, scheduled for the third quarter of this year, is implemented.

In preparation for this, Lotte Duty Free is making various efforts to attract group tourists and individual tourists (FIT).

Executives from China Duty Free Group (CDFG) and its parent company, China Tourism Group, touring the Lotte Duty Free Myeongdong Main Store Star Avenue in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Namgung Pyo, Head of Lotte Duty Free’s marketing division, said: “It was a meaningful time to meet directly with CDFG, China’s largest duty free company, to explore possibilities for cooperation between the two companies and discuss the future of the industry.

As the relationship between Korea and China is expected to improve, we hope that mutual exchanges will become more active in the future.”

The plan is to develop travel products that combine shopping and tourism, such as beauty classes and K-content experiences, in collaboration with inbound travel agencies, introducing experiential content in major commercial districts where the influx of foreign tourists is most concentrated.

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