Alipay+ at the Forefront of Global Travel’s New Dawn
As the globe begins to emerge from the darkness cast by the epidemic, countries like Singapore and Thailand are extending warm invitations to Chinese tourists, granting them visa-free entrance. Alipay+, Ant International’s cross-border mobile payments and marketing platform, is pivotal to this new age of international travel. This calculated action coincides with the first significant uptick in Chinese New Year tourism since the outbreak.
Bridging Global Commerce with a Vast Consumer Network
Alipay+ has carved out a significant niche in 57 markets, seamlessly connecting over 88 million global merchants to an astounding 1.5 billion accounts across more than 25 leading e-wallets and payment apps. This expansive network not only simplifies online and offline payments for international travelers but also empowers merchants to engage consumers more effectively, both at home and abroad.
A Rich Tapestry of Global Partners
As we stepped into January 2024, Alipay+’s partner ecosystem boasted a diverse array of wallets and bank apps, including Alipay (Chinese Mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), GCash (Philippines), TrueMoney (Thailand), Touch ‘n Go eWallet (Malaysia), and OCBC Digital (Singapore), among others.
Douglas L. Feagin, President of Alipay+, shared his vision: “2024 will be an exciting year for Alipay+ to unlock many digital innovations in online and offline cross-border commerce. As a global travel phenomenon, Chinese New Year is the perfect moment to kickstart our new range of partnerships, campaigns and product offerings to build a seamless and authentic travel experience and bring more business for merchants large and small.”
Tailored Campaigns: Boosting Merchant Growth and Enhancing User Experience
With the onset of the Chinese New Year on February 10th, 2024, China’s outbound travel bookings have witnessed an unprecedented surge, dwarfing the figures from 2023. Preferred destinations include not only visa-free countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia but also Japan and South Korea[1]. This trend is mirrored in other regions too; for instance, Singapore saw a sevenfold increase in bookings for the Chinese New Year in 2023[2].
Commercial centres in Malaysia are bracing themselves for a surge of international tourists[3]. The local economy is projected to receive 28.4 billion baht, or approximately US$800 million, from over one million international visitors to Thailand. The majority of these tourists are anticipated to come from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region [4].
Alipay+’s Commitment to Traveler Convenience
Alipay+ is dedicated to making its app an essential travel companion for Chinese tourists. This commitment is evident in their investment in transparent and competitive exchange rates, affordable roaming data packages, and convenient in-app ride-hailing services in an increasing number of destinations. In tandem, global merchants are offering a range of special packages to complement these efforts.
Also read: Vietjet’s New Direct Flight: Bridging Ho Chi Minh City and Chengdu in a Historic Move
Expanding the Global Merchant Ecosystem
The strategy for 2024 builds on the significant expansion of Alipay+’s merchant network in 2023. As the exclusive cross-border digital solution partner to leading national QR schemes in Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea, Alipay+ has enabled users of its payment partners to pay using their home e-wallets at a vast array of shops, enhancing the local travel experience.
Alipay+’s Expansive Global Reach
Alipay+’s global presence is impressive, with extensive merchant coverage in Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Europe, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates. These partnerships offer travelers a wide array of payment options and special offers, further enriching their travel experiences.
Douglas L. Feagin concluded, “Travel, especially international travel is clearly an anchor for national and regional prosperity in Asia and beyond. Alipay+ will continue to expand partnerships and our repertoire of digitalization tools to help communities thrive through cross-border travel and commerce. “
References:
[1] Asia Gaming Brief: China’s outbound travel bookings surge 10 times during Chinese New Year
[2] The Straits Times: More Singaporeans headed overseas for CNY; bookings almost back to pre-pandemic levels
[3] The Star: Retailers looking to Chinese New Year sales
[4] The Nation: Upcoming Chinese New Year to generate Bt34 bn in spending: TAT
