Alipay+ enables digital payment of 14 overseas e-wallets in HK

In support of Hong Kong's mega tourism and commerce drive, users of 14 overseas e-wallets from nine countries and regions can now make payments in the city using their home apps through Alipay+. 

This covers a population of approximately over 1.2 billion, allowing them to enjoy a safe and enhanced payment experience in “Asia’s World City” as the number of inbound tourists to Hong Kong continues to rise. 

Powered by Alipay+, users of these popular e-wallets will enjoy smooth payment experience with transparent and competitive exchange rates in Hong Kong whenever they encounter the Alipay+ or AlipayHK logo at the merchants in the city.  

Local merchants, especially small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), can accept payments from 14 global e-wallet operators through their existing AlipayHK payment codes, thereby further expanding their businesses without the needs of any additional investment. 

Participating e-wallets and bank apps include MPay from Macao, Changi Pay and OCBC Digital from Singapore, GCash and HelloMoney from The Philippines, Hipay from Mongolia, Kakao Pay, Naver Pay and Toss Pay from South Korea, MyPB by Public Bank and Touch 'n Go eWallet from Malaysia, TrueMoney from Thailand, and Tinaba from Italy. Similar to Alipay from China, these newly enabled wallets are now accepted at over 90% of the local outlets in Hong Kong.  

“Hong Kong is known for its breathtaking sceneries, vibrant city and community life, and the east-meet-west culture, as well as shopping, food, sightseeing, and public services, an exciting place that any globetrotters shouldn't miss,” said Venetia Lee, CEO of AlipayHK and Greater China general manager of Ant International. 

“When we pay like locals, we can travel and experience the culture like locals. We are so excited to help users of our 14 wallet partners to expand their presence to over 90% of local merchants through AlipayHK’s network. This allows hassle-free payments, promotes the development of Hong Kong's tourism industry, and helps local merchants enhance the effectiveness of their promotional activities through digital technology,” said Lee. 

This represents the largest number of international payment apps introduced to the city’s offline commercial network through cross-border cooperation at a single time. 

In the meanwhile, Alipay+ and its wallet partners have created a joint mechanism on customer services -Alipay+ Service Collaboration Mechanism- in Hong Kong to support partners in improving cross-border payment experiences, enhancing operational efficiency, and providing better services to global digital wallet users and merchants through operational collaboration and product innovation. 

Since 2023, Hong Kong has seen a continued growth of inbound travelers following the launch of global campaigns by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to welcome visitors from all around the world. In 2023, more than 34 million travelers visited Hong Kong, and in the first quarter of 2024, a total of 11.23 million visitor arrivals were recorded in. 

“Hong Kong is a world-class tourism destination. As the city's tourism promotion organisation, the Hong Kong Tourism Board attracts visitors to Hong Kong through various global promotions and marketing initiatives. We hope the trade can capture the opportunities brought along by visitors and roll out new products to enhance visitors’ experience in Hong Kong together and stimulate consumption to maximise the contribution of the tourism industry to the economy,” said Becky Ip, deputy director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

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