Alipay+ is continuing to expand its cross-border efforts, this time teaming up with LankaPay to improve cross-border digital payments for travelers.
Starting next year, digital wallet users in select Asian countries—including the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Hong Kong SAR—will be able to use cashless payments when traveling to Sri Lanka. Consumers will have the ability to make payments at more than 400,000 LankaQR merchants throughout the region.
Similarly, Sri Lankan travelers will be able to use their LankaQR-enabled apps to scan and purchase goods at Alipay+ merchants worldwide.
“Alipay+ continues to accelerate the shift towards digital travel in more regions through our integrations with national standardized QR codes, this time in Sri Lanka with LankaPay,” Dr. Cherry Huang, General Manager of Alipay+ Offline Merchant Services, Ant Group, said in a prepared statement.
She added: “As global travel recovers, we’ve noticed a shift in travel preferences, including travelers’ heightened expectations of how digital solutions should enhance their travel experience and greater interest in visiting previously less-explored destinations. That’s why we’re really excited at how our partnership with LankaPay will allow tourists to explore the wonders of Sri Lanka more easily, while also helping them discover and pay more conveniently at local merchants, which drives growth opportunities for local businesses.”
“The partnership between AliPay+ and LankaPay will help drive digital payment adoption among consumers and businesses in Sri Lanka and other Asian markets,” said Elisa Tavilla, Director of Debit Payments at Javelin Strategy & Research. “National standardized QR codes like LankaQR, help facilitate interoperability, especially with cross-border digital payments. These types of collaboration make it easier for consumers to use the same mobile wallet apps at home and abroad, and for retailers to accept digital payments for local and visiting customers.”
Alipay Continues to Leverage Uptick in Travel
Alipay has been on a mission to expand its global presence, taking advantage of the surge in travel. Today, travelers want the same seamless payment experience they enjoy at home—and because digital wallet adoption is higher than ever—more fintech solution providers have been working to meet consumer needs and ensure they’re able to transact regardless of where they are.
Last month, Alipay partnered with PayNet to boost cross-border payment acceptance throughout Malaysia’s 1.8 million merchants. By 2024, all Malaysian e-wallets under PayNet will be accepted by Alipay+ merchants’ global network.
And similar to its partnership with LankaPay, Alipay+ joined forces with South Korea’s ZeroPay in September, to facilitate cross-border payments for tourists from China and Southeast Asia.
