Wednesday, August 21, 2024 As Chinese inbound tourism continues to grow, fueled by the expansion of its visa-free policy to additional countries and the resurgence of international flights, Alipay, China’s foremost digital payment and lifestyle platform, has taken a significant step to improve the travel experience for international visitors. Alipay now supports 16 languages on its app, making it easier for tourists from around the world to navigate and enjoy their stay in China. This enhancement is part of a broader effort to cater to the diverse needs of the global travelers who are increasingly choosing China as their destination.
The 16 languages supported by Alipay include not only Chinese but also English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Turkish, Malay, Indonesian, Thai, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese. This wide range of language options allows users to interact with the app in a way that feels comfortable and familiar, ensuring that they can make the most of their time in China without the barrier of language differences. Whether it’s accessing essential services or exploring the cultural richness of the country, Alipay’s multilingual support is a crucial tool for tourists.
This upgrade is particularly beneficial for international tourists, who can now explore China more like locals, thanks to the ability to use Alipay in their native language. By offering a user-friendly interface in multiple languages, Alipay helps visitors feel more confident and self-sufficient as they navigate through China’s bustling cities, serene landscapes, and historical sites. The app’s functionality extends beyond basic payments, providing a comprehensive platform for tourists to manage their travel needs, from transportation to accommodation and beyond.
For instance, Italian tourists can easily download the Italian version of the Alipay app, allowing them to make mobile payments in their native language while traveling throughout China. This feature not only simplifies transactions but also enhances the overall travel experience by integrating frequently-used services such as car hailing, hotel booking, and the purchase of plane and high-speed train tickets directly from the app’s homepage. With the added convenience of an embedded translation tool, Alipay ensures that international tourists can fully immerse themselves in the Chinese experience without language constraints.
The Alipay app has become an essential tool for international visitors traveling in China, offering a seamless way to experience the country’s rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, world-class cuisine, and cutting-edge transportation, such as high-speed trains. As more tourists explore China, the convenience and security of Alipay’s mobile payment system have made it a go-to option for managing transactions. The app has gained popularity as it simplifies navigating the diverse experiences China has to offer, enhancing the overall journey for travelers.
A recent study by the Silk Road Research Institute of Beijing Foreign Studies University, conducted in June 2024, examined the travel and payment habits of international tourists in China. The findings revealed a growing interest among international visitors in adopting local mobile payment options like Alipay. In fact, 84% of surveyed travelers used some form of mobile payment during their stay in China.
Of those who used Alipay, an impressive 97% stated that they would recommend the app to friends planning to visit the country, highlighting the platform’s positive impact on their travel experience. Alipay has also witnessed a significant surge in spending by international tourists. In the first half of 2024, the expenditure of foreign visitors using Alipay increased by eight times compared to the same period in the previous year.
This rise in usage underscores the growing confidence and reliance on Alipay as a trusted payment method for travelers in China, enabling them to explore the country more freely and without financial limitations. Since 2022, Alipay has collaborated with international card networks to further enhance the ease of payment for overseas visitors. After downloading the app, tourists can sign up and link their Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover®, or Diners Club International® cards to pay at millions of Alipay partner merchants throughout China.
These include a wide range of establishments such as restaurants, cafes, tourist attractions, shopping malls, street vendors, and public transportation services. Additionally, Alipay partners with industry leaders to offer essential travel services like hotel bookings, ride-hailing, ticket purchasing for tourist sites, bike-sharing, and public transport access, all through its platform. In addition to the convenience of paying like a local with Alipay, international travelers in China now have the added flexibility of using their home e-wallets to make payments across the country.
This is made possible through Ant International’s Alipay+ solution, which allows users to scan Alipay QR codes and complete transactions seamlessly. This innovation bridges the gap between local and international payment systems, ensuring that tourists can enjoy a hassle-free experience while exploring China, without the need to switch to a new payment platform. Alipay+ supports 12 overseas e-wallets, offering a broad range of options for travelers from various regions.
These e-wallets include AlipayHK from Hong Kong SAR, China; Kaspi.kz from Kazakhstan; MPay from Macao SAR, China; Touch ‘n Go eWallet from Malaysia; Hipay from Mongolia; and NayaPay from Pakistan. This extensive network ensures that travelers from these regions can easily integrate their existing financial tools into their journey through China, making everyday transactions, from dining out to shopping, as simple as scanning a QR code.
Additionally, travelers from Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand can also benefit from this service. E-wallets like Changi Pay and OCBC Digital from Singapore, Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, and Toss Pay from South Korea, as well as TrueMoney from Thailand, are all part of the Alipay+ ecosystem. This extensive integration highlights Alipay’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and convenient payment environment for international visitors, allowing them to focus on enjoying their travels rather than worrying about payment methods.
Alipay In today’s digital age, Alipay has transformed from a simple payment solution into a comprehensive platform that bridges the gap between businesses, institutions, service providers, and consumers. Beyond facilitating secure and convenient payments, Alipay empowers its partners across various industries to engage with their customers through innovative digital services. These include Alipay’s mini programs, lifestyle accounts, and other interactive tools, enabling businesses to seamlessly connect with consumers in China.
The platform’s expansive reach now connects over 80 million businesses to more than one billion users, illustrating its pivotal role in the digital ecosystem..
