TAT and Alipay+ Strengthen Partnership with New Digital Travel Innovations

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Alipay+, Ant Group's cross-border mobile payment and digital solutions platform, have announced an expansion of their partnership with a series of new digital travel innovations. This move aims to attract more tourists to Thailand and improve their overall travel experience amidst the increasing travel demand.

New Initiatives to Boost Tourism:

Alipay+ D-hub: TAT will launch the Alipay+ D-hub, a customizable in-app platform exclusive to Alipay users, with plans to gradually extend it to other Alipay+ e-wallets. The D-hub will provide essential travel information, cultural insights, local merchant recommendations, and city guides, catering specifically to Chinese tourists and eventually to other international visitors.

Amazing Thailand e-Card: This digital card will connect local businesses with tourists, offering exclusive promotions and a platform for discovering local merchants, thereby boosting the visibility and awareness of Thailand's tourism offerings.

Alipay+ D-store: Introduced earlier in 2024, the Alipay+ D-store is an all-in-one digitalization platform allowing customers to order, customize, and pay for their purchases directly from their mobile devices. It currently includes local and international F&B merchants, with plans for further expansion.

Record International Arrivals and Increased Transactions:

From January to April 2024, Thailand welcomed a record number of 12,127,447 international arrivals. In the same period, Alipay+ data showed a 70% increase in transactions in Thailand, highlighting the growing popularity of mobile payments among tourists.

Thailand as a Top Destination for Chinese Tourists:

In the first four months of 2024, over 2.3 million tourists from mainland China traveled to Thailand, with Thailand remaining the top destination in Southeast Asia for Chinese tourists during the 2024 Labour Day holiday. Transactions made via Alipay increased by 161% compared to 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Strengthening the Tourism Industry:

The partnership between TAT and Alipay+ seeks to strengthen Thailand's tourism industry by providing seamless and convenient digital solutions for both local businesses and tourists. The new initiatives aim to enhance the travel experience, making Thailand a more attractive and accessible destination for international visitors.

Future Outlook:

With the launch of these innovative digital tools, TAT and Alipay+ are poised to further boost tourism in Thailand, offering a more personalized and engaging experience for travelers. The collaboration demonstrates the growing importance of digital transformation in the tourism sector and paves the way for further innovation and growth in the industry.