Alipay & Trip launch China tour packages for Global Travellers

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Alipay, the prominent digital payment and lifestyle service platform, has joined forces with leading online travel agencies like Trip.com, a global one-stop travel service provider, and Tuniu, an integrated leisure travel service provider in China. Their collaboration aims to introduce a curated selection of travel packages and travel guides within the Alipay app, designed specifically for international tourists visiting China. The initial release comprises 20 packages tailored to assist international travelers in navigating their journeys throughout China.

These packages encompass guided tours with English-speaking professionals at renowned tourist destinations such as the Palace Museum and the Badaling Great Wall in Beijing, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Jiuzhaigou National Park (Jiuzhai Valley) in Sichuan Province, the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, as well as Shanghai Disney Resort and the Bund in Shanghai. Some of these attractions even offer discounts of up to 20%.

Additionally, Alipay and Trip.com have jointly launched a comprehensive China Travel Guide within the app, offering extensive travel advice for those exploring the country. This guide includes detailed information on various aspects, including pre-travel checklists, visa applications, popular attractions, accommodation options, mobile payment methods, communication services, transportation details, booking services, and much more.

The global trend of cross-border travel, including inbound travel to China, continues to surge due to increased flight options and favorable travel policies. According to data from Trip.com, from January to October of the current year, inbound tour bookings have seen a remarkable year-on-year increase of 125% compared to 2022.

Starting from December 1, 2023, until November 30, 2024, travelers with ordinary passports from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia can enjoy visa-free entry to China. They are permitted to stay for up to 15 days for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, and transit.

Jiqiang Wang, the vice general manager of digital marketing at Trip.com, expressed the company’s commitment to collaborating with industry partners like Alipay to enhance the experience of inbound tourists and attract more international travelers to China. Trip.com aims to serve over 150% more inbound tourists in 2024 compared to 2019.

Alipay is equally enthusiastic about its partnership with various industry players to improve the payment and travel experiences of international tourists in China. As China’s leading digital wallet, Alipay is committed to continually optimizing its products and services to better cater to international visitors. They also encourage more merchants and service providers on the Alipay platform to enhance their offerings for international travelers.

In tandem with Trip.com, Alipay has launched the “New Year, New Exploration” campaign on social media platforms, inviting international tourists interested in exploring China to travel like locals by using their mobile phones.

Alipay has consistently worked on enhancing its products and services for international travelers. Overseas tourists can now download the Alipay app, sign up, and link their international credit or debit cards from Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover®, and Diners Club International® to make payments at tens of millions of Alipay partner merchants across China. These include restaurants, cafes, tourist attractions, shopping malls, street vendors, and public transportation. Additionally, the app integrates frequently used travel services such as hotel and air ticket bookings, car-hailing, exchange rate checking, and translation services.

Furthermore, international tourists from seven countries and regions, including Malaysia and Singapore, can also utilize their home e-wallets while traveling in China. These home e-wallet options encompass AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), mPay (Macao SAR, China), Touch ‘n Go eWallet (Malaysia), Kakao Pay (South Korea), Hipay (Mongolia), Changi Pay (Singapore), Toss Pay (South Korea), Naver Pay (South Korea), and TrueMoney (Thailand), OCBC (Singapore),.

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