Oh Seung-Jun, Head of the Payment Group of Kakao Pay (left), and Sarah Kaplan Moore, Senior Vice President of Rocket Travel by Agoda (right), pose for a photo after signing the partnership agreement at the Kakao Pay office in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province.

Mobile payment and digital wallet service Kakao Pay and digital travel platform Agoda have entered a strategic partnership agreement to give customers an even better travel experience. Powered through Rocket Travel by Agoda, the strategic partnerships arm of Agoda, this partnership will allow customers paying with Kakao Pay to access exclusive travel deals and discounts when using the Agoda platform.

Under the agreement, Kakao Pay plans to develop a variety of promotions enabling users to enjoy benefits throughout their journey including hotel discounts and cashback options. The payment service will also link key online and offline services such as Kakao Pay’s offline overseas payment options to give customers greater payment convenience. Additionally, Agoda will roll out a program, 'Kakao Pay Exclusive Deals', targeting the peak travel seasons, with a focus on offering users discounted prices and other travel benefits. 

Sarah Kaplan Moore, Senior Vice President of Rocket Travel by Agoda, stated, "This partnership represents an integration of technological innovation and marketing expertise, allowing us to enhance the breadth and quality of travel experiences we offer our users. In joining forces with Kakao Pay, our goal is to seamlessly integrate efficient payment solutions with unparalleled travel perks, delivering real value to our users and transforming the way they explore the world." 

Following the pandemic, the volume of payments made using Kakao Pay on Agoda has been steadily climbing due to the increasing demand for long-distance travel. This year saw an 84% increase in cumulative payments volume compared to the previous year.

Oh Seung-Jun, Head of Payment Group of Kakao Pay, stated, "In today’s society, where travel is a part of everyday life, we have entered into this partnership with Agoda to offer more meaningful experiences to Kakao Pay users." He also added, "Moving forward, we will continue to expand various partnerships and promotions to enable users to enjoy a more convenient and reasonable financial lifestyle in their everyday lives."

The partnership was sealed at Kakao Pay’s office in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, with key executives from both companies in attendance, including Oh Seung-Jun, Head of Payment Group of Kakao Pay, and Sarah Kaplan Moore, Senior Vice President of Rocket Travel by Agoda.