easyJet, a UK-based airline that operates in Europe, has launched a dedicated Chinese homepage to better serve the rising number of Chinese customers flying with the airline and booking through easyJet.com.
Customers using the new Chinese homepage will have content about flying with easyJet translated into simplified Chinese. The site also features the popular ‘Inspire Me’ tool, enabling customers to find the lowest fares to a wide range of destinations, and customers will be able to connect to a Chinese version of Booking.com’s website, easyJet’s hotel partner. Customers will also be able to book their flights in any of the nine currencies available.
According to easyJet’s current bookings, Paris is the most popular European destination, closely followed by Milan, Rome, Nice, Barcelona, London, Edinburgh and Belfast.
Carolyn McCall, easyJet’s chief executive, said: ‘This year easyJet has seen a 25 percent increase in bookings from China versus 2012. …. with a dedicated homepage, easyJet is ideally positioned to capture more of the market of the millions of Chinese who are travelling to and within Europe every year.
‘Our aim is to make the online customer experience as easy as possible and national homepages help alongside innovative ways like easyJet’s ‘Inspire Me’ tool to find the best flights.
‘I am delighted to also announce that easyJet is signing up to VisitBritain’s China Welcome Charter, the aim of which is for businesses in the UK to ensure that by 2015 the UK is the most welcoming destination in Europe.’
David Cameron, the UK’s prime minister, said: ‘As we compete in the global race, I welcome easyJet’s move to launch a dedicated Chinese homepage and their commitment to VisitBritain’s China Welcome Charter, all of which underlines that Britain is open for business.’
The Rt Hon Maria Miller, secretary of state for culture and tourism added: ‘We are doing all we can to make it easier for Chinese businesses and tourists to come to Britain and enjoy the best our country has to offer – from our galleries and museums to our stunning countryside and fantastic shopping. easyJet’s move to launch a dedicated Chinese homepage will help that, and their commitment to VisitBritain’s China Welcome Charter supports our clear message that Britain is open for business.’
Sandie Dawe, VisitBritain’s chief executive added: ‘easyJet, one of our founding GREAT partners, is the perfect addition to our China Welcome initiative that will change the way Chinese visitors experience Britain. We want to make sure Britain competes effectively for this market, helping the industry to develop products that appeal to Chinese visitors and making sure that the message of the GREAT British welcome is widely promoted.’
Having already launched US, Russian and Brazilian homepages, www.easyjet.com/cn will be the 22nd homepage to be added to easyJet.com, and the third BRIC country homepage.
