- The number of travellers using their Alipay+-supported home payment app while abroad increased three times
- Alipay+ evolved to include cross-border mobile payment, destination marketing and digital lifestyle services, giving merchants more ways than ever to connect with customers
- Alipay+ expands merchant coverage to more local stores, attractions, F&B and transportation, in line with the preference to ‘travel like a local’
SINGAPORE – December 16, 2024 – Alipay+, Ant International’s cross-border mobile payment and digitalisation technology solution, announced new payment partners, expanded global merchant coverage, and introduced exclusive rewards for partners’ users in time for the year-end peak travel season.
Alipay+ now has 35 international payment partners, serving more global travellers and connecting them to more than 90 million merchants in 66 markets. Beyond seamless cross-border mobile payment, Alipay+ now includes an in-app destination marketing platform with digital lifestyle services, giving merchants direct channels to reach and engage customers. Its destination marketing platform, A+ Rewards, is available in more than 10 leading superapps, including Touch ‘n Go eWallet from Malaysia, TrueMoney from Thailand, GCash from the Philippines and Kakao Pay from South Korea.
Travel has rebounded significantly in 2024, and according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the tourism industry will break all records in 2024, with international spending increasing by 33%.
“Travel has a significant impact on local and regional economies, uplifting communities, small businesses and livelihoods, trends expected to accelerate in 2025,” said Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International. “Through a combination of innovation and partnerships with merchants and tourism organisations, we aim to help more businesses leverage the opportunities from growth in tourism while continually enhancing the personalised travel experience for travellers.”
Alipay+ expands merchant coverage, empowering global consumers to ‘travel like a local’
Travel habits have shifted, and travellers are increasingly spending more on localised experiences. There has been an 80% increase in Food and beverage (F&B) merchants, a 50% increase in attractions, and a 120% increase in transportation such as ride-hailing, taxis, and trains. Alipay+’s expanded acceptance of these essential travel scenarios enables travellers to ‘travel like a local’ this year-end and beyond.
In addition to the expanded coverage, Alipay+ is introducing exclusive promotions in top destinations worldwide, working closely with partners to offer travellers the best deals.
- Japan: Following its expanded partnership with PayPay, Alipay+ now connects with over 3 million merchants, including local SMEs like izakayas, wagashi shops, snack stores, anime merchandise shops, and guesthouses. Travellers can enjoy special rewards at these local stores, at top attractions like Tokyo SKYTREE, Tokyo Solamachi, TOKYO Mizumachi, and Ekimise Asakusa, and top merchants such as airport shops, department stores, premium shopping malls, electronics and appliance retailers, and health and beauty stores.
- South Korea: Alipay+ expanded to iconic local destinations such as Myeong-dong Night Market in Seoul, Nami Island Night Market in Gangwon-do, and Aewol Café Street in Jeju. Tourists can also use Alipay+’s partner payment apps to pay for bus rides in Jeju and taxis in Seoul. Travellers can enjoy promotions at more than 1.9 million ZeroPay merchants and other attractions and merchants such as Everland Theme Park, GS25 convenience stores and more.
- Singapore: Travelers can better enjoy the world-renowned attractions and food in Singapore, with Alipay+ recently accepted at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which includes the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Bird Paradise, and expanded F&B merchants, which include top foodie experiences such as CHAGEE, Toast Box and BreadTalk, and historical food site, Lau Pa Sat.
- Malaysia: Alipay+ makes it easier for travellers to commute between the airport and the city with its acceptance at KLIA Express Rail Link in the capital. Pavilion KL, one of the top shopping malls with a vast collection of international and local brands and food, also joins as one of the latest Alipay+ partners. Alipay+ is connected with DuitNow QR, which has nearly 2 million merchants.
- Thailand: Alipay+ offers exclusive promotions at leading retailers under Central, Siam and King Power and everyday conveniences such as 7-Eleven, BigC, Boots and BTS trains.
- Philippines: Alipay+ has grown its coverage in key cities in the Philippines and is now accepted by more than 140,000 merchants, including the Mall of Asia, one of the largest shopping malls in the world.
- Cambodia, Nepal: Alipay+ recently established new national standardised QR partnerships in Cambodia via KHQR and Nepal via NepalPay QR, providing ease of payment to more than 1 million and 875,000 local businesses, respectively.
- United Kingdom: Travelers can now more easily explore the arts and culture in London, with Alipay+ recently accepted at Van Gogh House, a historic building. Promotions are available at some of the most iconic retail destinations in London, including Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty of London, Harvey Nichols, and Bicester Village.
- Germany: Alipay+ will introduce the “German Shopping Festival”, bringing together a wide range of German merchants, offering exclusive discounts, Christmas-themed travel guides, and unique shopping experiences.
- France: Travelers visiting France will enjoy promotional instant cashback on purchases at some of the top retail destinations in Paris, such as Galeries Lafayettes, La Vallée Village, and Printemps Haussman.
- Italy: Alipay+ is now accepted at the biggest duty-free store in Italy, Aelia Duty-Free (Lagardere Group), at Rome airport. Additionally, Tinaba e-wallet users will benefit from cashback promotions running until the end of January at Alipay+-enabled merchants across the country.
- Istanbul: Alipay+ is now accepted at Unifree Duty-Free at Istanbul Airport, the second busiest airport in Europe.
- Abu Dhabi, Dubai: Travelers will benefit from a direct discount at key retailers such as Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates and at key duty-free stores and airports, including Dubai Duty-Free and Abu Dhabi Duty-Free.
