Alipay, the prominent digital payment and service platform, announced that the average expenditure of Chinese tourists traveling abroad during China’s National Day holiday in 2023 (from September 29 to October 6) has exceeded the 2019 levels, signifying the ongoing growth in outbound Chinese tourism since the start of 2023.
Enhancing The Travel Experience With Alipay
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Chinese tourists’ preference for shopping overseas remains unwavering, with Alipay data revealing that the highest spending during the holiday period was on skincare products and duty-free items, outshining all other activities. Food and beverages, as well as accommodation, took the second and third spots in expenditure categories.
Beyond shopping, Chinese tourists are increasingly relying on Alipay’s digital travel services to enhance their journeys. During the initial five days of the holiday, currency exchange, Coupon Hub, tax refunds, and transportation services emerged as the top choices among Alipay users.
Alipay & Global Partners Redefine Travel Services For Chinese Tourists
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Alipay, in partnership with a global network of collaborators, now offers an extensive range of travel services for Chinese tourists traveling abroad. These services encompass hotel and air ticket bookings, in-store payments, taxi reservations, public transportation, food delivery, and tax refunds.
Alipay users can hail a taxi in over 2,000 cities beyond mainland China. During this holiday period, they can also enjoy an additional 20% tax refund from leading retailers in France, Italy, and Spain. Exclusive offers are available within the Coupon Hub, courtesy of brands in numerous destinations.
Digital Technology & Mobile Payments Reshape Chinese Outbound Travel
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A recent survey on Chinese outbound tourism discovered that travelers of all ages embrace digital technology in their travel planning, with a strong preference for mobile payments like Alipay.
An overwhelming 84% expect to use mobile payments due to their transparent exchange rates (60%), discounts and value-added services (60%), expense tracking convenience (56%), and the safety and convenience offered over cash (55%).
Chinese tourists also desire personalized services, such as Chinese-language shopping guides (83%) and exclusive offers. Local businesses aiming to attract Chinese tourists should adopt Chinese mobile payment methods and consider offering tailor-made value-added services, as per a study by the Centre for Sustainable Finance Innovation at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Shifts In Popular Destinations & Alipay’s Expanding Reach
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The most frequented destinations, as measured by total spending via Alipay, remain largely consistent with previous major holidays this year. Geographically proximate Asian destinations like Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, and Malaysia, along with European countries such as France and Italy, continue to dominate the list. However, there has been a noteworthy surge in Chinese tourist spending via Alipay in less-explored destinations like Estonia and Qatar compared to the same period in 2019, suggesting a shift in travel preferences.
Alipay+: Transforming The Payment Landscape
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Alipay serves as a partner e-wallet of Alipay+. Developed as a suite of cross-border mobile payment and marketing solutions by Ant Group, Alipay+ now collaborates with approximately 30 prominent e-wallets.
With its recent expansion into the Chinese mainland, the service connects tens of millions of merchants worldwide to over 1.4 billion payment accounts across Asia and beyond. Consumers enjoy seamless payments and a wide array of deals using their preferred payment methods while traveling abroad.
From September 23 to October 3, the number of daily transactions conducted by inbound visitors to China through the 10 Alipay+ partner e-wallets (AlipayHK, mPay, Hipay, OCBC, Changi Pay, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, TrueMoney, Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, and Toss Pay) saw a remarkable increase of up to 200%. For more information, kindly visit Alipay Global.
