Alipay+ Expands Payment Partner Ecosystem

“Travel has a significant impact to local and regional economies, uplifting communities, small businesses and livelihoods, trends expected to accelerate in 2025. Through a combination of innovation and partnerships with merchants and tourism organizations, we aim to help more businesses leverage the opportunities from growth in tourism, while continually enhancing the personalized travel experience for travelers.” ~Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International

In anticipation of the year-end peak travel season, Alipay+, Ant International's cross-border mobile payment and digitalization technology solution, announced new payment partners, increased merchant coverage globally, and unveiled exclusive rewards for partners' users.

Alipay+ now serves more international travelers and connects them to over 90 million merchants in 66 markets through its 35 international payment partners. In addition to offering smooth cross-border mobile payments, Alipay+ now offers digital lifestyle services and an in-app destination marketing platform, providing businesses with direct avenues to connect with and interact with consumers. Touch 'n Go eWallet from Malaysia, TrueMoney from Thailand, GCash from the Philippines, and Kakao Pay from South Korea are just a few of the top ten superapps that offer its destination marketing platform, A+ Rewards.

Travel has rebounded significantly in 2024, and according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the tourism industry will break all records in 2024, with international spending increasing by 33%.

 

Alipay+ expands merchant coverage, empowering global consumers to ‘travel like a local’

Due to changes in travel habits, tourists are spending more money on local experiences. This is evident in the 80% increase in spending at food and beverage (F&B) establishments, the 50% increase at attractions, and the 120% increase in spending on transportation like trains, taxis, and ride-hailing. Travelers can now "travel like a local" this year-end and beyond thanks to Alipay+'s increased acceptance at these crucial travel situations.

Along with the increased coverage, Alipay+ is launching special offers in popular global locations, collaborating closely with partners to provide travelers with the greatest bargains.

• Japan: Following its expanded partnership with PayPay, Alipay+ now connects with over 3 million merchants, including many local SMEs like izakayas, wagashi shops, snack stores, anime merchandise shops, and guesthouses. Travelers can enjoy special rewards at these local stores, at top attractions like Tokyo SKYTREE, Tokyo Solamachi, TOKYO mizumachi, and Ekimise Asakusa, and at top merchants such as airport shops, department stores, premium shopping malls, electronics and appliance retailers, and health and beauty stores.
• South Korea: Alipay+ expanded to iconic local destinations such as Myeong-dong Night Market in Seoul, Nami Island Night Market in Gangwon-do, and Aewol Café Street in Jeju. Tourists can also use Alipay+'s partner payment apps to pay for bus rides in Jeju and taxis in Seoul. Travelers can enjoy promotions at more than 1.9 million ZeroPay merchants and other attractions and merchants such as Everland Theme Park, GS25 convenience stores and more.
• Singapore: Travelers can better enjoy the world renowned attractions and food in Singapore, with Alipay+ recently accepted at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which includes the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Bird Paradise, and expanded F&B merchants which include top foodie experiences such as CHAGEE, Toast Box and BreadTalk, and historical food site, Lau Pa Sat.
• Malaysia: Alipay+ makes it easier for travelers comminuting between the airport and city with its acceptance at KLIA Express Rail Link in the capital. Pavilion KL, one of the top shopping malls with a wide collection of international and local brands and food also joins as one of the latest Alipay+ partners. Alipay+ is additionally connected with DuitNow QR with close to 2 million merchants.
• Thailand: Alipay+ offers exclusive promotions at leading retailers under Central, Siam and King Power, and everyday conveniences such as 7-Eleven, BigC, Boots and BTS trains.
• Philippines: Alipay+ has grown its coverage in key cities in the Philippines and is now accepted by more than 140,000 merchants, including the Mall of Asia, one of the largest shopping malls in the world.
• Cambodia, Nepal: Alipay+ recently established new national standardized QR partnerships in Cambodia via KHQR and Nepal via NepalPay QR, providing ease of payment at more than 1 million and 875,000 local businesses respectively.
• United Kingdom: Travelers can now more easily explore the arts culture in London, with Alipay+ recently accepted at Van Gogh House, in an historic building in London. Promotions are available at some of the most iconic retail destinations in London, including Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty of London, Harvey Nichols as well as at Bicester Village.
• Germany: Alipay+ will introduce the “German Shopping Festival”, bringing together a wide range of German merchants, offering exclusive discounts, Christmas-themed travel guides, and unique shopping experiences.
• France: Travelers visiting France will enjoy a promotional instant cashback on purchases at some of the top retail destinations in Paris such as Galeries Lafayettes, La Vallée Village and Printemps Haussman.
• Italy: Alipay+ is now accepted at the biggest duty free store in Italy, Aelia Duty Free (Lagardere Group) at Rome airport. Additionally, Tinaba e-wallet users will benefit from cashback promotions running until end of January at Alipay+ enabled merchants across the country.
• Istanbul: Alipay+ is now accepted at Unifree Duty Free at Istanbul Airport, the second busiest airport in Europe.
• Abu Dhabi, Dubai: Travelers will benefit from a direct discount at key retailers such as Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and at key duty-free stores and airports, including Dubai Duty Free and Abu Dhabi Duty Free

PLDT, Smart ensure world-class service with ISO-certified facilities, at the forefront of building resilient culture in the Philippines

"In adhering to stringent international standards, the PLDT Group cements its reputation as industry leader, ensuring the delivery of reliable, secure, and high-quality services. These ISO certifications highlight the Group's consistent focus on operational excellence, setting benchmarks that align with global best practices." ~Leo A. Gonzales, VP and Head of Property Facilities and Asset Resiliency Management, and Chairman of PLDT Central Environment, Health and Safety Committee

The Philippines' leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc (PLDT) and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc (Smart) reaffirm their commitment to provide world-class service powered by top-tier, internationally certified facilities and processes, and to expand the Group's culture of resilience to communities across the country.

Newest ISO-certified site

In November, Smart's network facility in Palawan became the latest site to receive an ISO certification for Business Continuity Management System (ISO 22301:2019), bringing to 25 the PLDT Group's total number of BCMS certifications. Covering critical network assets nationwide, including cable landing stations and network operations centers, these certifications are a testament to the company's ability to consistently prevent, minimize, and recover from disruptive incidents while mitigating financial and reputational impact across its critical facilities and operations across the country. These certifications also ensure that the Group's facilities that support voice, data, and converged multimedia services connectivity are compliant to international standards for business continuity preparedness.

Over the past year, the PLDT Group has also notched additional certifications for Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015), Environmental Management System (ISO 14001:2015), and Occupational Health and Safety Management System (ISO 45001:2018). 

Under ISO 9001, organizations address inefficiencies and areas for improvement within their operations through the implementation of standardized processes and procedures, regular review of performance, feedback from stakeholders, and corrective actions, as guided by ISO 9001 standards. 

On the other hand, ISO 14001 focuses on the integration of environmental management in the company’s strategies. The standard promotes environmental protection through the efficient use of resources relevant to the company’s operations, and waste reduction. Meanwhile, ISO 45001 helps companies come up with a framework on improving employee safety, reducing risks in the workplace, and creating better, safer working conditions. It aids organizational plans for emergencies and potential life-threatening situations.

Spreading culture of resilience

PLDT and Smart are also driving initiatives to cultivate a resilient culture, not only within the company and its employees, but among communities across the country as well. These include disaster preparedness and business continuity trainings that equip employees and communities alike to face challenges brought about by climate change, disasters and emergencies.

“As an organization committed to excellence, adhering to world-class standards through ISO certification is non-negotiable for us. These standards ensure that we consistently deliver top-tier services to our customers. More importantly, they empower us to build trust with the communities we serve, to share our expertise and help the country in building a more resilient Philippines." ~Analeen See Co, head of PLDT and Smart's Business Continuity Strategy and Analytics Division under the company's Business Continuity and Resilience Office (BCRO)

These ISO certifications support PLDT’s thrust for industry-leading operational excellence, and enhanced stakeholder confidence, and also align with the Group's commitment to adopt the highest standards of occupational health and safety and environmental performance, fortifying its operational focus on employee welfare, customer experience, and sustainability.

These efforts also underscore the PLDT Group’s commitment to helping the country attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly on UN SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth and UN SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and help boost the government's overall thrust to digitalize the nation, narrow the digital divide, and bring the benefits of the internet closer to more Filipinos across the country.