Attracting China’s revenge travelers with digital payment modes of choice

With the May Day holiday in China approaching, Singapore is all ready to welcome their tourists with seamless digital payments, perks

With China’s new COVID-19 management stance, millions of its citizens are now traveling overseas, to the open arms of countries hungry for tourism dollars.

As the May Day holiday period sends an exodus of Chinese travelers outbound, one nearby country has made digital payments for them even more convenient.

On 21 April the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Weixin Pay entered into a three-year strategic agreement where both countries pledge to bring smarter and more convenient traveling experiences and also leverage the Weixin ecosystem to promote digital transformation in the city-state.

According to Andrew Phua, Executive Director (Greater China), STB: “We look forward to the return of Chinese tourists, for whom Weixin Pay is a popular digital tool; and we hope this strategic partnership will enable tourists to enjoy even more lifestyle experiences in Singapore.”

With the bilateral agreement, Singapore is all geared up to offer discounts and perks to Chinese tourists at selected stores who spend via Weixin Pay. The latter firm has been supporting nearly 10,000 Singapore hawkers in their digitalization, so that they can attract tourists from China.

Freedom Li, President, Weixin Pay International Business, said: “In the past, we had collaborated with the STB to promote the popularity and development of digital payment. We will work together further to provide digital solutions based on the Weixin ecosystem to create high-quality cross-border smart travel experiences for Chinese tourists.”

Singapore is among the top 10 popular destinations for outbound Chinese travelers, and the agreement is expected to help stimulate the tourist trade in the country. Firms that have already taken advantage of the Weixin ecosystem include Grab and the Mandai Wildlife Group. Users of the ecosystem can easily purchase tickets, rent baby strollers and access other services.

STB has opened an official account and an account on Weixin’s Channels to promote Singapore attractions. The agency has also revamped the “Visit Singapore” Mini Program on the platform, to provide one-stop services and information such as travel tips and FAQs.