Plaza Premium Group (PPG), the global leader in airport
hospitality services and an eight-time recipient of the “World’s
Best Independent Airport Lounge” award by Skytrax, has announced it
will significantly expand its presence across the Americas. This
endeavor is a testament to the Group’s larger commitment to invest
US$300 million globally over the next three years. Focused on
advancing sustainable solutions, integrating cutting-edge
technologies, and elevating customer experiences, PPG is dedicated
to making travel better for all.
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The strategic move aims to reinforce PPG's dedication to
delivering 360-degree integrated end-to-end airport services,
providing a seamless travel experience for every customer, whether
they’re arriving, in transit, or departing. Expansion highlights
include:
- Personalized Services: Travelers can expect more
personalized services, increased lounge access, new flagship
locations, and seamless digital solutions across both Plaza Premium
Lounges and ALLWAYS Meet & Assist concierge services.
- Regional Focus: Major efforts will be concentrated on
Canada, the United States, and Brazil, with significant projects in
Toronto and Vancouver, and new lounges in high-traffic U.S. cities
like Las Vegas and Washington, D.C.
- Evolved Partnerships: PPG will continue its partnerships
with Capital One and Visa to develop branded lounges and provide
tailored premium experiences. The company aims to extend its
award-winning experience to partners, including recent additions
such as Desjardins.
- Smart Traveler: Enhanced membership and rewards program,
Smart Traveler, will continue to offer exclusive benefits and
personalized experiences to frequent travelers.
Leading this ambitious endeavor is Pascal Belanger, Senior Vice
President of the Americas, known for his visionary leadership and
deep industry expertise. “As travelers increasingly seek
personalized and seamless experiences, Plaza Premium Group is
harnessing technology and research to redefine airport
hospitality,” said Belanger. “Our investment in cutting-edge
technologies like OneTECO and advancements in robotics and AI
underpins our commitment to setting new standards. These
initiatives aim to enhance operational efficiency and elevate
customer experiences across our global footprint, creating the
perfect destination before departure.”
The investment is aligned with recent consumer reports and
trends, including studies indicating that 70 percent of travelers
desire more lounge access, greater personalization, and an
integrated digital solution, like an app, for all services1,
highlighting the growing demand for premium airport experiences.
The ACI 2023 Global Traveler Survey, which Plaza Premium Group
proudly sponsors, reveals that 67% of respondents stated they would
likely use an app that facilitates navigation and wayfinding,
underscoring the importance of seamless digital solutions in
enhancing the travel experience.
As Plaza Premium Group expands its footprint in the Americas, it
reaffirms its commitment to enhancing global travel experiences,
with Canada standing as one of its earliest and continuing focus
markets since 2004. Song Hoi-see, Founder of Plaza Premium Group,
adds, “Since our inception, Plaza Premium Group has been driven by
a singular goal: to make travel better. Our journey began with the
vision of providing accessible and luxurious airport hospitality
services to all travelers, regardless of their class of travel or
ticket type. Our Americas expansion is a significant milestone in
our continued pursuit of excellence.”
Plaza Premium Group believes that the airport lounge is more
than just a transitory space; it's a destination in itself. This
belief is central to their latest initiative, “Proudly Local”,
which aims to redefine the airport lounge experience into a
‘destination before departure’ whilst showcasing its commitment in
being a key player in the local community with a proudly local
approach. Plaza Premium Group will curate lounges that showcase the
best of local cultures within each host city. Guests can experience
a unique travel experience in every touchpoint, from the moment
they enter the lounge to a range of local food and beverage
offerings and a sense of place, setting the tone for a memorable
pre-flight experience. Initially piloted in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta,
Nagoya, Adelaide, Rome, and Dubai, this initiative will soon expand
to North America.
“This strategic investment heralds a new era of excellence in
airport innovation. By anticipating and adapting to emerging
technologies, industry trends and traveler expectations, PPG will
be at the forefront of airport innovation,” added Belanger.
For more information about Plaza Premium Group and its services,
please visit www.plazapremiumlounge.com. Explore Plaza Premium
Group's history and achievements in their Milestone YouTube
video.
About Plaza Premium Group
Plaza Premium Group, headquartered in Hong Kong and established
in 1998, is a pioneering global airport hospitality services
provider. With a mission to Make Travel Better, the group
introduced the world's first independent airport lounge concept.
Today, PPG operates the largest network of international airport
lounges worldwide and offers a 360-degree airport experience with
13 brands under its portfolio, spanning over 1600 touchpoints
across more than 80 international airports and 30 countries &
regions worldwide.
From airport lounge brands - Plaza Premium Lounge & Plaza
Premium First, to terminal hotels - Aerotel & Refreshhh by
Aerotel, to concierge services - ALLWAYS, a range of airport dining
concepts, global reward and membership program - Smart Traveler,
and travel experience ECOsystem - oneTECO, the group is at the
forefront of transforming airport experience for the better through
innovative and human-led solutions. PPG’s commitment extends beyond
its own brands, as it also provides lounge management and
hospitality solutions to leading airlines, alliances, and
corporates worldwide. Partnerships include renowned names such as
American Express, Capital One, Cathay Pacific Airways, SkyTeam,
Star Alliance, Visa, and many more.
Plaza Premium Group has over 80 accolades demonstrating its
exceptional achievements and commitment to service excellence.
Notably, the group has received the prestigious "World's Best
Independent Airport Lounge" award at the World Airline Awards by
Skytrax for eight consecutive years from 2016 to 2024. TTG Asia
also recognized the group as the "Best Airport Lounge Operator" in
2018, 2019 and 2023. In 2020, it achieved the "ISO 9001:2015"
certification for its Hong Kong Headquarters. Furthermore, the
group's Founder and CEO, Mr. Song Hoi-see, was awarded the “Ernst
& Young Entrepreneur of the Year” and “Master Entrepreneur of
the Year Malaysia” in 2018.
With a team of over 5,000 dedicated talents, PPG serves more
than 20 million global passengers annually. Through a continuous
pursuit of innovation and excellence, the group is experiencing
exponential growth globally.
To learn more: https://www.plazapremiumgroup.com/
Connect with us: FB, IG, @plazapremiumlounge and WeChat
@PlazaPremiumGroup.
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1https://www.travelagentcentral.com/transportation/airport-dimensions-releases-report-airport-experiences
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Media Contact Anastasia Semionov Blue Door Agency
asemionov@bluedoor.agency