90M+ Merchants Use Alipay+ to Engage Travelers This Chinese New Year
As global tourism shifts from recovery to growth in 2025, merchants worldwide are turning to Alipay+, Ant International’s cross-border mobile payment and digital solutions, to improve payments, in-app marketing, and digital services. This helps them attract and welcome tourists during Chinese New Year, the first major travel season of the year.
As 2025 marks a pivotal year for the global tourism industry, transitioning from recovery to growth, Alipay+ is playing a key role in enhancing cross-border mobile payments and digital services for merchants worldwide. Alipay+, a solution provided by Ant International, connects over 1.6 billion users across 35 international wallet and bank payment partners to more than 90 million merchants in 66 markets. This expansive network continues to grow, with new partners such as Kaspi.kz in Kazakhstan and BigPay in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand now integrated into the system. This means even more travelers can enjoy the benefits of seamless transactions at global merchants, particularly during key travel periods like Chinese New Year.
Alipay+ and Global Merchants Join Forces for Exclusive Campaigns
In anticipation of the Chinese New Year travel surge, Alipay+ is collaborating with global merchants to launch a range of exclusive promotions aimed at attracting and engaging travelers. From luxury retailers to popular attractions and local businesses, these merchants are offering upsized rewards and discounts, driving both in-store and in-app engagement.
Around the world, merchants such as Resorts World Sentosa, Marina Bay Sands, Central Retail, King Power, Pavilion KL, Lotte World, Olive Young, Daimaru, Printemps, and Galleries Lafayette, along with more than 100,000 stores globally, are making Chinese New Year an exciting time for travelers by offering special deals. These promotions are designed to make the travel experience more rewarding for users of Alipay+’s payment partners.
Regional Promotions Across Key Destinations
- China
Travelers in China can use Alipay and 13 international payment apps for seamless payments at over 100 Consumer Friendly Zones across top cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu. This initiative not only provides discounts but also introduces bilingual support, user guides, and merchant training to enhance the travel experience for international visitors. - South Korea
Alipay+ is now accepted at over 2 million merchants in South Korea, including those using ZeroPay. Travelers can enjoy tiered discounts at select merchants, with additional benefits in Seoul’s popular districts like Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and Seongsu. A recent collaboration has also launched the NAMANE x Alipay+ Transit Pass Card, allowing users to travel seamlessly on buses and subways nationwide. - Japan
In Japan, Alipay+ facilitates payments at over 3 million merchants, including local izakayas, snack stores, guesthouses, and attractions like Tokyo SKYTREE and Tokyo Solamachi. This wide acceptance ensures a smooth and convenient experience for travelers exploring the country. - Southeast Asia
In Malaysia and Singapore, Alipay+ partners with local services such as DuitNow and SGQR to offer a wide range of payment options, including transportation, shopping, and dining. In the Philippines, Alipay+ welcomes key retail players like SM Supermalls and Hennan Group of Resorts, as well as offering nationwide promotions at major retailers like Pavilion KL and Central Retail. - Europe and the Middle East
Travelers in European hotspots like the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain can enjoy discounts at major retailers and attractions. In the Middle East, Alipay+ offers discounts and upsized rewards at duty-free stores in airports across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Istanbul, further enhancing the travel experience.
A Strong Forecast for 2025 Tourism Growth
As tourism spending is expected to rise significantly across regions, particularly in Southeast Asia, Japan, and South Korea, Alipay+ is well-positioned to help merchants capitalize on this growth. According to a report by Ant International and IDC, tourism spending in these regions will increase by more than 330% by 2027, with integrated payment solutions driving further growth.
“Tourism is playing an increasingly important role in local economies, accelerating growth for merchants across various sectors,” said Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International. “Alipay+ provides a platform for businesses to adapt to the digital preferences of modern travelers, allowing them to connect, engage, and retain customers using mobile payments and digital services. We are committed to continuing to innovate and offer businesses new ways to benefit from the ongoing growth of tourism.”
A Unified Digital Solution for Merchants
Alipay+ enables travelers to use their preferred payment methods, including e-wallets, bank apps, and BNPL services, for a wide range of purchases—from online travel agencies and airlines to street vendors, transportation, and attractions. This unified solution benefits over 90% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping them expand by accepting multiple international payment apps.
Through its partnership with various QR payment operators such as PayPay in Japan, ZeroPay in South Korea, and DuitNow in Malaysia, Alipay+ ensures convenient payment acceptance at millions of merchants across Asia. In Europe, Alipay+ is growing its acceptance network, with over 400,000 merchants and interoperable payment support via Bluecode.
Innovative Tools for Merchants and Travelers
Alipay+ also provides digital solutions that make it easier for travelers to plan and enjoy their trips. Through Antom, Alipay+ connects leading Asian e-wallets to online travel platforms like AirAsia MOVE and Booking.com, streamlining the payment process for travelers booking getaways during the Chinese New Year.
Additionally, the A+Rewards platform enables merchants and tourism boards to directly engage with travelers by showcasing top destinations, food, and shopping, along with offering exclusive promotions. For example, in Singapore, travelers can purchase discounted voucher packs for use at various locations like Sentosa and Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
Further improving the experience, Alipay+ offers mini-program development solutions, allowing users to book attractions, hail rides, and access tax refund services within their payment apps, eliminating the need for additional downloads or physical processes. The Geneva Tourism Bureau, for example, is launching a mini-program hub on select e-wallets to assist tourists in navigating the city and booking attractions.
About Alipay+
Alipay+ is a suite of cross-border mobile payment and digitalization solutions from Ant International, designed to connect global merchants to consumers. By offering seamless payment options and a broad range of deals, Alipay+ enhances the travel experience for users while providing small and medium-sized businesses with digital tools to grow and expand.
