Chengdu & Chongqing, July 3, 2024 — In a significant move to boost the convenience of digital payments for international tourists, Ant Group and Mastercard have expanded their International Consumer Friendly Zones program to Chengdu and Chongqing. This initiative, in collaboration with 12 overseas payment partners of Alipay+ and other major international card organizations, comes at a time when inbound travel to the region is witnessing substantial growth due to increasing international tourism and trade.
Chengdu, renowned for its giant pandas, and Chongqing, known as the Mountain City of China, have emerged as major attractions for global visitors. In the first quarter of 2024, both cities ranked among the top ten inbound tourism destinations. With strong support from local government departments, the program will be introduced in over 60 primary shopping areas, renowned tourist attractions, as well as international airports and high-speed railway stations in these cities. Participating merchants will enhance payment signage visibility to clearly inform customers about the array of digital payment methods supported by Ant Group and its partners.
“This program will significantly enhance payment convenience for inbound travelers,” said an Ant Group spokesperson. “Our goal is to create a seamless payment experience for tourists, making their visit to Chengdu and Chongqing even more enjoyable.”
The influx of international tourists is evident from the statistics. Chengdu saw 410,000 entries and exits of foreign nationals in the first five months of 2024, marking an increase of over five times compared to the previous year. Similarly, foreign arrivals at Chongqing’s international airport saw a sixfold increase in the first quarter compared to the previous quarter.
Moreover, these cities have become popular destinations for visitors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with ASEAN being the largest trading partner of Sichuan in 2023. The Chongqing Connectivity Initiative, the third Government-to-Government project between China and Singapore, is the only one established in western China.
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In the first half of 2024, spending by international visitors in Chengdu and Chongqing via digital payment methods supported by Ant Group and its partners increased thirteenfold year-on-year. Among the e-wallet partners of Alipay+, AlipayHK, Touch ‘n Go eWallet (Malaysia), and TrueMoney (Thailand) ranked top three in terms of visitor transaction volume. Additionally, the number of merchants in both cities accepting payments from international visitors via Alipay+ grew more than five times year-on-year.
Ant Group now offers two mobile payment alternatives for international visitors in China. Alipay+ enables tourists to pay with their home e-wallets across China. Supporting 12 leading e-wallets and payment apps in Asia, Alipay+ covers an 80-million-strong merchant network, including AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), Kaspi.kz (Kazakhstan), MPay (Macao SAR, China), Touch ‘n Go eWallet (Malaysia), Hipay (Mongolia), NayaPay (Pakistan), Changi Pay (Singapore), OCBC Digital (Singapore), Kakao Pay (South Korea), Naver Pay (South Korea), Toss Pay (South Korea), and TrueMoney (Thailand).
Additionally, international visitors can bind major international bank cards, such as Mastercard, Visa, JCB, Discover®, and Diners Club International, to the Alipay app. This allows access to a rich array of local Alipay services, including shopping, dining, ride-hailing, and public transportation, without needing a mainland China bank account or phone number.
Following the initial rollout of the program in Beijing and its subsequent expansion to Guangzhou and Shanghai earlier this year, Ant Group continues to enhance digital payment options for international travelers as inbound travel recovers. The China Tourism Academy expects inbound travel to reach 80% of the pre-pandemic level in 2024, driven by the expansion of China’s visa-waiver policies and the gradual resumption of international flights.
About Ant Group
Ant Group, rooted in Alipay established in 2004, has grown to become one of the world’s leading open Internet platforms. Through technological innovation, Ant Group supports its partners in providing inclusive, convenient digital life and financial services to consumers and SMEs. The company is committed to introducing new technologies and products to support digital transformation and facilitate industrial collaboration globally.
About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry, dedicated to connecting and powering an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere. With secure data, networks, partnerships, and innovative solutions, Mastercard helps individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses realize their greatest potential. Operating across more than 210 countries and territories, Mastercard is building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.
