Alipay+, a cross-border mobile payment digital platform under Ant International, has launched a year-end campaign to promote sustainable cross-border travel with a series of incentives offered by global partners to users of Touch ‘n Go eWallet by TNG Digital (Malaysia) as well as other four leading e-wallets in Asia–Alipay (the Chinese mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong, China), GCash (the Philippines), and TrueMoney (Thailand).
Malaysia, together with Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand, will be the first batch of destinations of the campaign, which will last till December 31. Travelers will enjoy a wide array of special offers curated in collaboration with global industry leaders including ComfortDelGro Taxi, Daimaru Matsuzakaya, Galaxy Macau, King Power, Lotte Duty-Free, Marina Bay Sands, and SHISEIDO Travel Retail, as well as local small and micro-sized enterprises (SMEs), including Durian BB in Malaysia and IJOOZ in Singapore, creating a diverse and inclusive selection for travelers.
Enabled through a partnership with PayNet, eight Alipay+ partner e-wallets, including Alipay, AlipayHK and TrueMoney, can now be accepted at more than 1.8 million DuitNow QR merchants across Malaysia.
In anticipation of a substantial increase in Chinese tourist arrivals following the implementation of Malaysia’s visa-free policy for China on 1 December 2023, Alipay+ has collaborated with Malaysian merchants for exclusive offers for Alipay users from the Chinese mainland. These offers can be used for multiple services, including transportation, dining, and retail.
Malaysian travelers increasingly use digital cross-border payment
Touch ‘n Go eWallet is among the fastest-growing Alipay+ partner wallets in terms of cross-border transaction volume, ranking among the top five most popular Alipay+ partner wallets used by cross-border travelers, besides Alipay, AlipayHK, Kakao Pay, and GCash. Touch ‘n Go eWallet, MPay, and TrueMoney also ranked top 3 by MoM increase of transaction volume in November 2023. Through Alipay+, Touch ‘n Go eWallet users can conveniently make digital payments in destinations globally, including the Chinese mainland, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, the Philippines, Switzerland, South Korea, Thailand, and the U.K.
Alan Ni, CEO of TNG Digital, operator of Touch ‘n Go eWallet, said, “Tourism is an important contributor to the local economy, and TNG Digital is committed to making a positive difference with our product and services, especially to encourage sustainable travel. Touch ‘n Go eWallet cross-border payments in the Chinese mainland have grown by more than 100% month-on-month in 2023. With that, we are hopeful that with our small gesture, we can create a path for others to follow.”
Since its launch in 2020, Alipay+, a suite of cross-border payment and marketing solutions, has expanded to connect over 88 million merchants in 57 markets to 1.5 billion payment accounts of over 25 digital wallets, banking apps, and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) apps.
Alipay+ recorded an estimated 30% increase in total transaction volume (TPV) in the second half of 2023 compared to the first six months, and over 70% increase in daily average transactions (DAT). Excluding Alipay, the TPV and DAT of cross-border payments of the rest of Alipay+ partner wallets increased by some 280% and 230% respectively in the second half of 2023.
Supporting Responsible Travel
With an ESG program closely aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Ant International is committed to promoting sustainable and responsible tourism across its Alipay+ markets.
Special offers to encourage more sustainable travel options include free overseas mobile data packages, in-app discounts and promotions across Alipay+’s extensive merchant network, and opportunities to win 100% rebates at partner stores. Travelers are also rewarded for using more digital payments instead of cash, choosing public transportation over cars, traveling with own toothbrushes instead of using disposable ones, as well as visiting more diverse local destinations to support community economies and preserving local cultures.
Dr Cherry Huang, General Manager of Alipay+ Offline Merchant Services, Ant International said, “Our year-end campaign is not just about travel; it’s about making a positive impact. By collaborating with partners who share our commitment to sustainability, we are offering travelers the chance to explore the world responsibly.”
