Regent signs strategic agreement with UnionPay

Regent Hotels & Resorts, the leading brand in the luxury hotel industry, has inked a global strategic alliance agreement with China UnionPay, the bankcard organization that caters to the world's largest population of cardholders, on Aug 16.

Starting then, all members of UnionPay platinum and diamond cards issued both domestically in China or overseas will be able to enjoy special benefits such as room, spa and F&B discounts, room upgrades, buffet breakfast for two and VIP treatments.

With the new collaboration, Regent Hotels and Resorts' internationally renowned bespoke services are introduced to UnionPay's loyal and high networth cardholders, whose privileges in turn become more extensive, creating a true customer value proposition and a triple-win situation for the consumers and both companies.

Regent Hotels & Resorts is the first Asia-based international luxury hotel brand to become a strategic partner of UnionPay International, setting a high standard for global marketing development.

UnionPay is the only domestic bankcard organization in China, servicing the world's largest number of cardholders. Its total cross-bank transaction amount of 21.8 trillion yuan ($3.5 trillion) in 2012 is a 37 percent increase from the previous year.

"As both brands have originated in Asia, the advantageous collaboration between Regent Hotels and Resorts and UnionPay will receive unprecedented attention and prospects. The seven Regent hotels in operation will join forces with the company which has issued 3.6 billion cards to date in more that 30 countries and regions, which are accepted in over 140 countries and regions thereby providing the most distinctive and luxurious hotel experiences worldwide," said Amy Hsueh, chief executive officer of FIH Regent Group.

Regent is a global luxury hospitality brand long synonymous with glamour, sophistication and impeccable service.

Its unshakeable belief in simple elegance, peerless comfort and gracious, intuitive Asian hospitality has been raising the benchmark for luxury hotels for more than 40 years.

Each Regent hotel incorporates elements of its locality and culture into the designs; the result is a truly unique Regent experience which tantalizes all the senses.

In 2010, the brand was acquired by the Taipei-based FIH Regent Group. Regent currently operates hotels in Bali, Beijing, Berlin, Phuket, Singapore, Taipei, and Turks and Caicos, with hotels and resorts under development in Doha, Kuala Lumpur, and Montenegro. All Regent hotels in Asia and Europe now accept UnionPay cards; Regent Palms Turks & Caicos is scheduled to have the same capability within the next 12 months.

The CEO noted that Regent is dedicated to sharpening its competitive edge by offering tailored services to its clients. In the future, Regent's top priority is to consistently improving its service in the highly saturated market.