As the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China, draw near, Alipay has announced a strategic partnership with major international card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and Discover Global Network. This collaboration aims to elevate the mobile payment and travel experiences for international visitors attending the games.
Key Highlights:
- Alipay collaborates with Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and Discover Global Network for Asian Games 2023.
- The partnership offers discounts for tourists making payments via Alipay linked to approved international cards.
- Mastercard reports robust growth in consumer spending on experiences and travel.
Running from August 25 to August 29, 2023, the initiative will offer tourists discounts when they make payments through an Alipay account linked to an international card from one of the four approved networks. This move comes at a time when consumer spending on experiences and travel is showing remarkable resilience, according to a recent report by Mastercard.
In the second quarter of 2023, global cross-border travel reached 154% of 2019 levels, marking a 6% increase from the previous quarter. Alipay noted that China’s inbound cross-border travel market is also on the rise.
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Dennis Chang, Executive Vice President and Division President for Greater China at Mastercard, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “As travel and tourism rebound, Mastercard is delighted to work with its partners to provide enhanced digital payment solutions that address the evolving needs of international travelers,” he said.
Peng Yang, President of the International Business Group at Ant Group, also commented on the collaboration. “We are excited to partner with card networks, other institutions, and merchants to support the Asian Games. We look forward to strengthening this collaborative ecosystem through more cross-border payment innovations, SME empowerment, and sustainability projects,” Yang stated.
Chris Winter, Managing Director for International Markets in the Asia Pacific at Discover Global Network, emphasized the convenience this partnership brings. “By partnering with Alipay, we greatly enhance shopping convenience and accessibility for our valued cardholders from around the world,” he said.
This isn’t Alipay’s first foray into enhancing tourist experiences. In July, the company partnered with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to allow tourists from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Korea to pay via their home mobile wallets through Alipay+.
