- Alipay+ has newly enabled 6 international e-wallets in Singapore, bringing the total to 12.
- Alipay+ and RWS jointly welcome Chinese tourists to Singapore through exclusive campaigns, with new visa-free policy facilitating ease of travel.
- RWS commits to driving innovation in customer experience, adapting to new digital habits including preference for mobile payments, ahead of Chinese New Year, the first travel peak of the year.
- Alipay+ expands merchant coverage in Singapore, in addition to acceptance via SGQR, enabling tourists to pay with their home e-wallets and driving growth for local businesses.
In a significant move poised to redefine the payment landscape for international tourists in Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) has announced an expanded partnership with Alipay+, a leading cross-border mobile payments and marketing platform operated by Ant International. This collaboration marks a milestone for RWS, positioning it among the first Alipay+ merchants in Singapore to welcome payments via 12 international e-wallets, covering all attractions and stores within its premises. The initiative aims to streamline the payment process for tourists, enabling them to leverage their home e-wallets effortlessly during their visit.
The inclusive list of e-wallets now comprises AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), GCash (Philippines), KakaoPay (South Korea), Touch n’ Go eWallet (Malaysia), TrueMoney (Thailand), and several others, in addition to Alipay (Chinese mainland) which has been a payment option at RWS since 2015. Recent additions facilitated by Alipay+ include Hipay (Mongolia), MPay (Macao SAR, China), MyPB by Public Bank (Malaysia), Toss Pay and Naver Pay (South Korea), and Tinaba (Italy), significantly broadening the scope of accessible payment methods for international visitors.
This enhancement arrives at an opportune moment as the Singapore Tourism Board reports a promising surge in visitor arrivals, with the first 11 months of 2023 witnessing double the figures of the corresponding period in 2022. The growth trajectory of Singapore’s tourism sector is further buoyed by the anticipation of increased Chinese tourists, thanks to the visa-free policy commencing on 9 February, right before Chinese New Year. This strategic move by RWS and Alipay+ aims to capitalize on this upward trend, ensuring that tourists, especially from China and other Asian countries, enjoy a frictionless and enjoyable experience at one of Singapore’s most beloved destinations.
RWS is not just a hub for exhilarating attractions like Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Dolphin Island, and Adventure Cove Waterpark; it is also a gastronomic paradise. With its array of award-winning dining venues and global cuisines led by celebrity chefs, RWS has cemented its reputation as a premier gourmet destination in Asia.
Chang Chee Pey, Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer at RWS, underscored the importance of the Chinese market, stating, “Chinese visitors are an important source market for Resorts World Sentosa. With increased flights and visa-free travel to Singapore soon, we want to make it even more convenient for Chinese visitors to enjoy Resorts World Sentosa and our highly popular attractions such as S.E.A. Aquarium, Universal Studios Singapore, exciting events, and Chinese dining options, many helmed by renowned celebrity chefs, over key Chinese travel periods such as Lunar New Year, Labour Day, the Summer holidays and Golden Week. With Alipay already widely accepted as a fast and convenient payment mode across Resorts World Sentosa, this payment experience for Chinese visitors at Resorts World Sentosa will definitely be welcomed.”
Dr. Cherry Huang, General Manager of Alipay+ Offline Merchant Services at Ant International, highlighted the mutual benefits of the partnership, stating, “Resorts World Sentosa is a must-visit destination for tourists coming to Singapore, and through this expanded partnership, more travelers can now enjoy seamless mobile payments and a more hassle-free experience that will allow them to enjoy the attractions, food, and retail options even more. To help businesses in Singapore, big and small, to benefit from the growth in tourism in 2024 and beyond, we’re focused on strengthening our Alipay+ ecosystem locally, by bringing in more users via our payment partners and expanding our merchant coverage through close collaborations with our local partners and our integration with SGQR. We look forward to bringing more innovation to our partners and enhance the digital travel experience for tourists.”
In anticipation of the influx of tourists during Chinese New Year, RWS and Alipay+ are launching a festive campaign exclusively for Alipay users. This includes a virtual RMB$128 red packet available via the Alipay app, which can be redeemed for various services at RWS. Additionally, Alipay users can enjoy special promotions at the Bai Jiu Shake Up event, featuring Bai Jiu cocktails at Michelin-starred restaurant table65 and CHIFA, alongside a RMB150 discount for online red packet collectors. This partnership is set to introduce further campaigns for Alipay+ partner users throughout the year, enhancing the tourist experience at RWS and Singapore at large.
