Alipay promotes smart tourism with global partners
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
* Smart tourism platform connects merchants and partners from across the world
with Alipay users
* Alipay-based marketing services allow merchants to reach potential clients
at lower cost with higher conversion rate
* Agreements with official authorities in Finland, Sweden, Norway and
Singapore bring smart tourism solutions to local merchants
HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alipay, the world's largest
online and mobile payment platform, operated by Ant Financial Services Group
("Ant Financial", "Ant"), recently announced an upgraded smart outbound tourist
service platform at a meeting of ecosystem partners from over 20 countries and
territories in Beijing.
The platform connects Chinese tourists with merchants, airports, travel agencies
and other Alipay partners, giving users access to intuitive local offers and
services, and merchants the ability to target potential clients.
"With 98% of outbound Chinese tourists owning a smartphone, there is a clear
opportunity for a mobile-based ecosystem to deliver a truly 21(st) Century
travel experience," said Carl Su, Vice President of Ant Financial, at the 2017
Global Smart Tourism Ecosystem Summit in Beijing earlier this week. "Alipay's
smart tourist service platform connects all kinds of overseas merchants with the
right Chinese tourists, even before they depart. Merchants find that our digital
platform lowers marketing cost and improves conversion rate, while tourists find
that access to local services and products is easier than ever before."
Alipay's outbound service platform allows users to download merchants' coupons
before or during their trip. Over 160,000 coupons are downloaded by users every
day, among which 60% are redeemed when users pay via Alipay overseas.
Based on analysis of user preferences, Alipay recommends nearby merchants and
even tips on itineraries. By paying with Alipay, users gain Alipay membership
points that can ultimately gain them access to anything from better exchange
rates and discount rates, to VIP lounge access at the airport.
The outbound tourism service platform also allows merchants and travel agencies
to keep in touch with their customers online after the trip.
Alipay Expands Merchant Network in Nordic countries and Singapore
Alipay continues to expand its merchant network to provide better services for
Chinese tourists wherever they travel. The payment platform is now accepted by
more than 10 million merchants across China and by bricks-and-mortar shops in
33 countries and territories.
In September, Alipay signed Memorandums of Understanding with Finpro, Svensk
Handel, and Scandinavian Tourist Board to promote Alipay's smart tourism
solutions to local merchants across the highly cashless Nordic countries. Alipay
and the Singapore Tourism Board have also started to cooperate in the areas of
data, marketing, service and products, which will deliver benefits to both
Chinese tourists and local merchants in the near future.
In Singapore and Finland, Chinese tourists can now enjoy local experiences by
relying only on their smart phones. Over 80% of Singapore's taxis provide Alipay
as a payment option. Alipay is also accepted at over 2,000 merchants, including
Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa,
Singapore Zoo, department stores under Metro and Robinsons, and a series of
hawker centers. Instant tax refunds via Alipay will soon also be available at
Changi Airport.
In Finland, Chinese tourists can use Alipay to shop in-flight, on cruises, and
pay for saunas. The convenient payment experience starts when a Chinese tourist
books his or her flight ticket and hotel room online, and continues with
shopping on Finnair flights between China and Helsinki. On the ground in
Finland, Chinese tourists can access everything from bus trips and sightseeing
in Helsinki to shopping, dining, and even meet the Moomin in Naantali or Santa
Claus up in Lapland. In-cabin sales on Finnair flights between China and
Helsinki have doubled since Alipay's service was launched in January 2017.
About Alipay
Operated by Ant Financial Services Group, Alipay is the world's largest mobile
and online payment platform. Launched in 2004, Alipay currently has over 520
million active users and over 450 financial institution partners globally.
Alipay has evolved from a digital wallet to a lifestyle enabler. Users can hail
a taxi, book a hotel, buy movie tickets, pay utility bills, make appointments
with doctors, or purchase wealth management products directly from within the
app. In addition to online payments, Alipay is expanding to in-store offline
payments both inside and outside of China. Over 10 million brick-and-mortar
merchants now accept Alipay across China. Alipay's in-store payment service is
covering more than 30 countries across the world, and tax reimbursement via
Alipay is supported in 24 countries and regions. Alipay works with over 250
overseas financial institutions and payment solution providers to enable cross-
border payments for Chinese travelling overseas and overseas customers who
purchase products from Chinese e-commerce sites. Alipay currently supports 27
currencies.
About Ant Financial
Ant Financial Services Group is focused on serving small and micro enterprises,
as well as individuals. With the vision "bring the world equal opportunities,"
Ant Financial is dedicated to building an open ecosystem of Internet thinking
and technologies while working with other financial institutions to support the
future financial needs of society. Businesses operated by Ant Financial Services
Group include Alipay, Ant Fortune, Zhima Credit and MYbank.
For more information on Ant Financial, please visit our website at
www.antgroup.com; or follow us on Twitter (at)AntFinancial.
Media Enquiries
Ant Financial
Xinyun Yang
xinyun.yang(at)antfin.com
+86 138 1689 6301
This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Ant Financial Services Group via GlobeNewswire
Datum: 29.09.2017 - 11:42 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 561858
Anzahl Zeichen: 7144
contact information:
Town:
Hangzhou
Kategorie:
Business News
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"Alipay promotes smart tourism with global partners"
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