Alipay and Xi’an partner up to boost local tourism

Alipay has partnered with Xi’an to boost the city’s tourism industry by launching the “International consumer friendly tourist destination” initiative. 

This comes as Alipay’s statistics revealed that the transaction volume of international visitors using Alipay in Xi’an has increased by nearly seven times in the first four months of 2024, compared to the same period last year. The most popular tourist attractions that international visitors pay through Alipay include places such as Great Tang All Day Mall, Tang Paradise, and Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, 

With the support and guidance of local authorities, Alipay is working with its partners in Xi’an, including tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants, and public transit agencies, to upgrade their payment and digital services for international travellers. The initiative aims to enhance the travel and shopping experiences of international visitors to Xi’an.

As part of the initiative, international visitors can link their international Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, or Diners Club International credit or debit card in the Alipay app to pay at an array of Chinese mainland merchants in the Alipay merchant network.

In addition to paying like a local with Alipay, international tourists can use their home e-wallets such as  Hong Kong’s AlipayHK, Macao’s MPay, Malaysia’s Touch ’n Go eWallet and South Korea’s Kakao Pay, Toss Pay and Naver Pay, and Singapore’s Changi Pay and OCBC, when travelling in China.

Additionally, following the introduction of digital red packets, which international tourists could claim by scanning a QR code at Mount Huangshan before the May Day holiday in 2024, Alipay is expanding the service to international travellers in Xi’an.

Effective immediately through 30 June, tourists can claim digital red packets for discounts on offline purchases throughout China. Participating merchants include tourist attractions such as Tang Paradise and the Longest Day in Chang'an Theme Block, Lanxiangzi and other chain restaurants, Chahuanong and other tea brands, and food streets such as Yongxing Fang, as well as metro and bus stations.

Jiajia Li, vice president of Alipay business group at Ant Group, said: “Alipay looks forward to working with even more partners to enhance the payment and travel experience for both domestic and international tourists. We aim to support an increasing amount of local tourist attractions and commercial districts to create a travel and shopping experience that is welcoming to visitors from all around the world.”

Don’t miss: Mastercard expands partnership with Alipay to foster financial inclusion

Back in March, Mastercard expanded its cross-border payment solutions with a new connection to Alipay, aiming to foster payments and financial inclusion. 

The partnership comes as insights from Mastercard's Borderless Payments Report show that 68% of consumers would make more online cross-border payments if they were faster. Consumers increasingly look for ways to send money across the globe quickly and securely.

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