Alipay has launched an updated “International Version” of its digital payment and lifestyle app with customised services for overseas travelers to China.
The new international version, with language options and a translation tool, is targeting international travelers’ mobile payment needs in China, the company said. The app also integrates frequently-used travel services, including hotel booking, air tickets booking, car-hailing, public transport, and exchange rate checking.
The announcement was made at a conference ahead of the Hangzhou Asian Games which will take place from September 23 to October 8. The event organisers said recently that a record 12,527 athletes from across Asia will take part, the most in the competition’s history, organisers. The last games in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2018 reportedly attracted about 80,000 foreign visitors. Against this backdrop Alipay has included additional services in the app related to the Asian Games through the Smart Hangzhou mini programme.
Since 2022, Alipay has partnered with international card networks to further upgrade its payment service for international travelers. After downloading the Alipay app, international tourists can sign up and link their international credit or debit card from Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club International to pay at Alipay partner merchants across China
Yaoyao Jin, Alipay’s product lead in charge of its international version said: “We will continue to optimize our products and services to better serve international visitors to China by enhancing their travel experience with convenient mobile payment services. We also encourage more merchants and service providers operating digitally on the Alipay platform to enhance their services for international travelers.”
