InterContinental Hotels Group has signed an enhanced partnership with China’s Alipay to offer its online payment solutions across all channels and at all IHG properties globally.
The partnership will see IHG become the first global hotel company to offer full Alipay integration across all online and mobile platforms for stays at all hotels in its portfolio.
To start, Alipay payment options will be available at IHG’s portfolio of more than 270 hotels in Greater China before rolling out globally in 2017.
China is now IHG’s second biggest market globally and IHG was the first international hospitality company to enter the country more than 30 years ago.
"IHG has always been a leader in providing advanced payment solutions to guests through our direct booking channels. We are thrilled to be partnering with Alipay to strengthen our ever-evolving travel experience for our guests globally," said IHG chief commercial officer Keith Barr.
IHG first integrated the Alipay e-wallet solution several years ago for online booking channels for its hotels in China and launched its products on sister company, travel e-commerce platform Alitrip.
"As China’s leading online and mobile payment solution provider, Alipay aims to deliver convenient and flexible services to customers. We would like to provide ‘a taste of home’ for our users when they travel abroad. With IHG’s extensive global footprint, this strategic collaboration will help Alipay reach out to more customers, especially Chinese customers as they travel around the world," said Sabrina Peng, vice president of Alipay parent company, Ant Financial.
