China’s inbound tourism:
Ant Group and Mastercard Launch International Consumer-Friendly Zones Program in Shanghai
Ant Group and Mastercard, along with 12 overseas payment partners of Alipay+ and other major international card organizations, have launched the International Consumer Friendly Zones program in Shanghai. This initiative aims to enhance the travel experience for global visitors and stimulate growth for local businesses in China.
With the backing of local authorities, the program will involve over 20 key shopping areas, renowned tourist attractions, Shanghai’s international airports, major high-speed railway stations, and 25,000 taxis. Landmarks such as the Bund, Nanjing Road shopping district, and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower are among the participants.
Ant Group now offers two digital payment alternatives for overseas visitors in China. Travelers can link major international bank cards, including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club International, to the Alipay app, allowing access to various local Alipay services, from shopping and dining to ride-hailing and public transportation, without needing a local bank account or phone number.
Additionally, Alipay+, a suite of cross-border mobile payment and digitalization solutions under Ant International, enables overseas consumers to pay with their home e-wallets across China. Alipay+ supports 12 leading e-wallets and payment apps in Asia, usable at an 80-million-strong merchant network in China, including AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), Kaspi.kz (Kazakhstan), MPay (Macao SAR, China), Touch ‘n Go eWallet (Malaysia), Hipay (Mongolia), NayaPay (Pakistan), Changi Pay (Singapore), OCBC Digital (Singapore), Kakao Pay (South Korea), Naver Pay (South Korea), Toss Pay (South Korea), and TrueMoney (Thailand).
In Shanghai, participating merchants will enhance payment signage visibility to inform customers about the supported digital payment methods. This follows the program’s initial rollout in Beijing and subsequent expansion to Guangzhou in April. Ant Group has been working closely with partners to improve the accessibility and ease of use of the two digital payment options for international travelers, including offering bilingual assistance and detailed user manuals.
Amid rising inbound travel, spending by international visitors to Shanghai via Ant Group’s digital payment options between January and April surged 13 times year-over-year.
“The introduction of the International Consumer Friendly Zones in Shanghai signifies a major advancement in our efforts to enrich the inbound tourism experience and bolster local businesses, especially given the city’s critical role in China’s global interactions,” said Fu Lu, Director of Cross-border Business in Greater China, Ant Group. Ant Group plans to integrate more card organizations and overseas digital wallets for use in China and introduce new joint user campaigns.
Mastercard expressed its pleasure in joining the program, highlighting the importance of enabling seamless and secure payments for foreign travelers. As international inbound traffic to China recovers, Mastercard looks forward to enhancing payment convenience, boosting consumption, and building a more inclusive payment ecosystem in partnership with Ant Group.
About Ant Group
Ant Group, originating from Alipay established in 2004, is a leading global open internet platform. Through technological innovation, Ant Group provides inclusive and convenient digital life and financial services to consumers and SMEs, supporting digital transformation and industrial collaboration worldwide.
About Mastercard
Mastercard is a global payments and technology company committed to economic inclusion and digitization. Through innovative technologies and solutions, Mastercard connects over 210 countries and regions, empowering individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses to make secure, convenient, and smart payments, fostering sustainable development and unlocking “priceless” possibilities for everyone.
