United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Alipay, WeChat Pay open up to foreign tourists
The digital payment apps of Alibaba and WeChat have helped fuel travel spending growth across China and overseas.
Alipay and WeChat Pay are undoubtedly the two big players for China’s tech-savvy shoppers but they now want to tap the spending power of inbound foreign tourists.
Both companies said foreign travellers will be able to link their overseas issued credit cards to the payment apps.
The two payment apps have also made inroads in countries popular with Chinese travellers such as Singapore, Japan and the US.
Foreign visitors are now able to download the international version of the Alipay app and link their Visa, MasterCard, or JCB card to the app.
WeChat Pay said its app will also support American Express cards.
According to a recent World Economic Forum report, the mobile payments market in China generates about $41.3 trillion in total spend.
Related News Stories:
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Tricia Handley-Hughes of Inteletravel announces the location for the TravelQuest 2025 conference
Insights from James Ferrara on Inteletravel’s Growth and Future
Tricia Handley-Hughes on Inteletravel’s Growth and Challenges
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
BA pilot dies during layover
Boy falls to death on cruise ship