The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Alipay+, a cross-border mobile payment and digitalisation platform by Ant International, have expanded their partnership with new developments to attract more tourists to Thailand and enhance their travel experience.
Thailand remains a top destination for Chinese tourists, with over 2.3 million visiting in the first four months of 2024. During the 2024 Labor Day holiday, transactions via Alipay in Thailand surged by 161% compared to 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
To cater to mobile-savvy travelers, TAT will introduce the Alipay+ D-hub and Amazing Thailand e-Card exclusively for Chinese tourists, later expanding to other Alipay+ users.
The Alipay+ D-hub, a customisable mini-programme, will provide essential travel information, local merchant recommendations, and guides to Thai destinations.
The Amazing Thailand e-Card will connect local businesses with tourists, offering exclusive promotions and increasing the visibility of Thailand’s tourism offerings.
Earlier in 2024, Alipay+ launched the Alipay+ D-store in Thailand, allowing users to scan a store’s QR code to order, customise, and pay directly via their mobile devices.
Alipay+ has expanded its merchant coverage in Thailand to enable users of 14 leading international payment apps to pay at over 400,000 merchants, including in smaller regions. Alipay+ will soon be accepted by the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS).
The “A Thailand+ Experience” campaign will promote unique Thai experiences. Select influencers will highlight their favorite merchants in secondary cities, available on the TAT website and Alipay+ D-hub.
Voucher packs that can be used nation-wide will encourage tourists to explore these cities and merchants.
Edward Yue
Edward Yue, General Manager, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand and Global Strategic Partnerships, Ant International, said,
“The Tourism Authority of Thailand has been at the forefront of digitalising the Thai tourism industry, enhancing the experience for tourists and local businesses. At Alipay+, we’re extremely excited to see the real benefits it brings to the community by supporting these efforts through mobile payments, marketing and broader digitalisation.
Building on the success of our partnership, we continue to jointly introduce innovations to Thailand, ensuring that the mobile-savvy travellers of today can fully immerse themselves in uniquely Thai experiences, discovering, shopping, and eating with just their mobile phones.”
Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya
Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific, said,
“We are glad to see Alipay+ transactions growing rapidly. With even more Alipay+ coverage acceptance, the transactions will only grow, especially in smaller cities, stimulating the economy, particularly for SMEs, across Thailand.
We’re taking the next step to strengthen our partnership with the new digital innovations for Chinese tourists, the top market for Thailand, and continue to expand these innovations to more tourists in future.”
