Alipay, the world’s largest mobile and online payment and lifestyle platform operated by Ant Financial Services Group, has further grown its cross-border business in Southeast Asia, adding four new countries to its network. This takes the total number of countries where Alipay services are available to Chinese visitors and local merchants in this region to eight. With the expansion, merchants in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and the Philippines are now connected to 520 million active users in China via Alipay’s in-app marketing platform.
Cambodia
Alipay is now accepted in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville across shopping, F&B, entertainment and hospitality sectors. Notable merchants include Sajibumi, which operates the food and beverage concessions at Siem Reap International Airport and Phnom Penh International Airport, Sokimex petrol kiosks, Legend cinemas, etc.
Alipay will also be rolled out in duty free stores managed by DUFRY at Phnom Penh International Airport,Siem Reap International Airport, and NagaWorld, the largest entertainment complex in Cambodia.
Myanmar
Myanmar is the latest country in the region to launch Alipay as a payment option. It is now accepted in popular shopping, F&B and tourist attractions in Yangon, including Sule Shangri-La Yangon, Rangoon Tea House, Yangon Yangon Bar, etc.
Laos
Alipay is now available in all department stores in Vientiane Shopping Center in addition to other convenience stores and F&B locations along the Mekong River in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
Alipay is also available across the country in Jiffy Mart and Sokxay Mart convenience stores and at the fast food chain, EFG Group. Chinese shoppers at Haven Duty Free at Vientiane International Airport and at Don Chan Palace Hotel can also pay with Alipay.
The Philippines
Resorts World Manila (RWM) started accepting Alipay in February 2018. For the initial roll-out, RWM has Alipay-equipped terminals in Maxims Hotel, Newport Cinemas and Snack Bar, the VIP Concierge, the Gaming Redemption outlet, and its 12 signature restaurants.
Commenting on the expansion, Cherry Huang, General Manager, Cross-border Business for South and Southeast Asia, Alipay, said: “We have a mission to enable the smart lifestyle for Chinese consumers and bring the same convenience that they enjoy at home to the overseas countries they travel to. We plan to achieve this through our continuous efforts to expand our partner and merchant ecosystem. Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and the Philippines are exciting new additions to our network, as more and more savvy Chinese visitors opt to experience the rich history and culture of ASEAN. In 2017, all four countries collectively attracted over 2 million Chinese visitors. We look forward to connecting more merchants, even the smallest ones, through our partner ecosystem so that they are able to benefit from the boom in Chinese tourist arrivals.”
Mobile payment is gaining momentum among Chinese travelers overseas. According to the recent Nielsen report, 65% of Chinese tourists used mobile payment platforms during their overseas travels, more than six times in comparison to non-Chinese tourists (11%). Over 90% of Chinese tourists would consider using mobile payments when traveling overseas if more overseas merchants accepted it. Alipay is committed to better supporting the needs of Chinese visitors by providing a more efficient, convenient payment method via its platform.
Beyond an improved payment experience, Alipay’s in-app “Discover” function also allows merchants to market to Chinese visitors before, during and after their trips, boosting brand exposure of merchants amongst China’s rapidly growing overseas visitors.
To date, Alipay operates its cross-border business in eight countries in Southeast Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and the Philippines. It is working with more than 250 financial institutions and payment solution partners in its ecosystem to enable cross-border payments for Chinese traveling globally.