Alipay+ Spearheads Eco-Conscious Travel Movement
Ant International’s Alipay+, a frontrunner in international mobile payments, has launched a novel initiative to transform eco-friendly international travel. From now until December 31st, travellers in Asia who use a variety of popular e-wallets may take advantage of a number of benefits offered by worldwide partners as they combine the joy of travel with the seriousness of environmental stewardship.
A World of Offers in Key Destinations
Travelers eyeing destinations like Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand are in for a treat. Alipay+ has meticulously curated a collection of special offers, collaborating with esteemed global and local partners, including major names like ComfortDelGro Taxi and Lotte Duty Free, and local SMEs like Durian BB in Malaysia. This eclectic mix promises a travel experience that is both rewarding and inclusive.
Championing Eco-Friendly Travel Practices
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Ant International’s commitment is palpable in this initiative. The campaign is ingeniously designed to promote environmentally responsible travel behaviors. Travelers are incentivized for adopting digital payments, using public transport, and supporting local economies, thus contributing to the preservation of local cultures.
Dr Cherry Huang, Alipay+’s General Manager of Offline Merchant Services at Ant International, passionately states, “Our year-end campaign is not just about travel; it’s about making a positive impact. By collaborating with partners who share our commitment to sustainability, we are offering travelers the chance to explore the world responsibly.” This statement reflects the dual goal of the campaign: to offer enjoyable travel experiences and to champion ecological stewardship.
Digital Payments: A Boon for Local Economies
2023 marked a significant year for Alipay+, witnessing expansive collaborations with major international card organizations and the integration of 10 Asian e-wallets and banking apps into the Chinese mainland. This expansion facilitated over three million merchants in China, including quaint mom-and-pop shops, to undertake their first international transactions via Alipay+.
Monitoring ESG Impact and Merchant Involvement
With the surge in travel between southern China, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR, over 220 top merchants in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, have joined the campaign. Moreover, Alipay+ is collaborating with prestigious universities like the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Tsinghua University to assess the campaign’s ESG impact meticulously.
Bruce Zhang, CEO of IJOOZ in Singapore, shares his excitement, “Every year, IJOOZ generates huge amounts of orange pulps and peels. We recycle orange waste, turning them into valuable resources for making new products. We are happy to join hands with Alipay+ to promote sustainable travel among global tourists visiting Singapore.”
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Alipay+ in 2023: Growth and Partnerships
Since its launch in 2020, Alipay+ has made significant strides, connecting over 88 million merchants in 57 markets to 1.5 billion payment accounts. The latter half of 2023 witnessed a remarkable increase in transaction volume, underscoring Alipay+’s burgeoning influence in the realm of cross-border payments.
TNG Digital: Pioneering Sustainable Tourism
The Touch ’n Go eWallet, managed by TNG Digital, has shown impressive growth in cross-border payments, highlighting its commitment to sustainable tourism. Alan Ni, CEO of TNG Digital, remarks, “Tourism is an important contributor to the local economy, and TNG Digital is committed to making a positive difference with our product and services, especially to encourage sustainable travel. Touch ’n Go eWallet cross-border payments in the Chinese mainland have grown by more than 100% month-on-month in 2023. With that, we are hopeful that with our small gesture, we can create a path for others to follow.”
Alipay+’s campaign stands as a testament to the power of digital collaboration in fostering sustainable travel practices, while also bolstering local economies. It is a prime example of how technological advancements can be harmoniously aligned with environmental stewardship, paving the way for a new era of responsible tourism.
