Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Alipay+ highlights a significant recovery in consumer spending during the first Chinese New Year (CNY) travel season post-COVID-19, with a notable increase in cross-border tourism in Thailand. According to TAT, the CNY period saw 1,008,899 international visitors in Thailand, including 211,349 from China. Chinese tourists’ spending surged by 15% over 2019, while expenditure by other Asian tourists rose by 14%, focusing on shopping, food & beverage, massage & spa, attractions, and nightlife. The most visited cities included Bangkok, Phuket, Chonburi, Chiangmai, and Krabi.
Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific, Tourism Authority of Thailand, said: “The robust tourism arrivals during Chinese New Year has exceeded our expectations and shows that Thailand continues to be one of the top global travel destinations. As we head into the new year with this first travel peak season, we aim not only to bring more tourists into Thailand, but also ensure they can explore more of Thailand, more conveniently. By working with closely with partners like Alipay+, not only can we engage more Chinese and Asian tourists, but we can help these tourists have a better digitally-enabled experience, which also brings more growth to our local businesses. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Alipay+ to put Thailand at the top of the list for global travelers in 2024 and beyond.”
TAT and Alipay+ have collaborated on co-marketing initiatives to draw Chinese and Asian tourists, offering enhanced shopping and travel experiences. For CNY 2024, Alipay+ data indicates Thailand as the fourth most favored global destination among Chinese tourists, with a 4.5-fold spending increase from 2023, making it the top choice in Southeast Asia. Thanks to Alipay+, travelers can now use 13 international e-wallets and bank apps in Thailand, enhancing convenience and supporting local merchants’ growth.
The Alipay+ ecosystem’s expansion in Thailand includes over 250,000 merchant stores accepting the platform, broadening the range of services to tourists beyond retail and F&B to include convenience stores, supermarkets, attractions, and wellness facilities. This network enhancement makes daily travel and shopping more accessible for visitors.
Sittipong Kittiprapapong, General Manager, Global Merchant Partnership, Thailand, Ant International, said: “Our ongoing close collaboration with the TAT is bringing more Chinese and Asian tourists into Thailand and making it easier for them to shop around the country. Seamless digital experience is now the norm for tourists and with the recent introduction of more Alipay+ partner payment apps in Thailand, we’re excited to see the growth in transactions using their own home e-wallets. Our goal is to help more merchants accept Alipay+ so they can benefit from the growth in tourism in the coming year. We look forward to strengthening our efforts with TAT and local merchants in the areas of education, merchant visibility and cross-border payments acceptance.”
Alipay+ facilitates outbound Chinese tourists’ payments across over 8 million merchants worldwide, offering a seamless digital payment experience without the need for cash or currency exchange. Thailand, among other destinations, has seen a significant increase in Chinese tourist spending, supported by socio-economic factors and visa-free policies.
A global campaign by Alipay+ aimed at attracting Chinese tourists has seen an increase in transactions and spending during the CNY holiday, with a trend towards more immersive local experiences beyond traditional shopping and sightseeing. The expansion of Alipay+ partnerships has significantly increased cross-border spending and transactions among Asian e-wallet users, highlighting the growing popularity of destinations like Japan, South Korea, Macao SAR, Thailand, and Singapore. Additionally, the collaboration with international payment networks has enhanced the travel experience for visitors to China, promoting the use of Alipay for a variety of services.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
