A Remarkable Recovery in Spending
Alipay, the premier digital payment and service platform, has unveiled that the average expenditure of outbound Chinese tourists during the initial five days of China’s National Day holiday 2023, spanning from 29 September to 6 October, has eclipsed the figures from 2019. This data underscores the robust growth trajectory of outbound Chinese tourism since the onset of 2023.
Shopping Tops the List
Chinese tourists have consistently shown a penchant for shopping when traveling overseas. The data indicates that the most substantial Alipay transactions during this period were for goods, notably skincare items and duty-free products. These purchases outpaced all other activities, with food and beverages, followed by accommodation, securing the second and third spots in terms of spending.
Digital Services Enhance Travel Experiences
Chinese travelers are not just using Alipay for payments; they are also leveraging its myriad of digital travel services to augment their travel experiences. Services like currency exchange, Coupon Hub, tax refunds, and transportation saw significant usage. Notably, transportation-related transactions skyrocketed, witnessing a 16-fold increase compared to 2019.
Comprehensive Travel Services by Alipay
In a strategic move, Alipay, in tandem with global partners, now offers a comprehensive range of travel services to Chinese tourists. These services span from hotel bookings, in-store payments, taxi services, public transport, food delivery, to tax refunds. During the holiday, Alipay users also benefited from an additional 20% tax refund from major retailers in countries like France, Italy, and Spain.
Embracing Digital Technology in Travel
A recent study on Chinese outbound tourism highlighted the digital shift among Chinese travelers. A staggering 84% anticipate using mobile payments such as Alipay. The reasons for this preference include transparent exchange rates, enticing discounts, easy expense tracking, and the sheer convenience and safety over traditional cash.
Tailored Services for Chinese Tourists
The study, conducted by the Centre for Sustainable Finance Innovation at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, also emphasized the desire for personalized services among Chinese tourists. Local merchants aiming to attract this demographic should consider integrating Chinese mobile payment methods and offering value-added services tailored to their needs.
Evolving Travel Preferences
While popular destinations like Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, Malaysia, France, and Italy continue to attract Chinese tourists, there’s a noticeable uptick in spending in lesser-known destinations such as Estonia and Qatar. This trend suggests a shift in travel inclinations among Chinese tourists.
Alipay+: Bridging Global Payments
Alipay, a partner e-wallet of Alipay+, has been instrumental in connecting millions of merchants globally to over 1.4 billion payment accounts. With its recent expansion into the Chinese mainland, consumers can now enjoy a plethora of deals using their preferred payment methods while abroad.
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A Surge in Inbound Transactions
From 29 September to 6 October, there was a significant increase in daily transactions by visitors to China using the 10 Alipay+ partner e-wallets. The surge was as high as 200%, showcasing the platform’s growing influence in the global payment landscape.
