The partnership builds on a previous Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed to explore co-investing in joint-marketing initiatives to entice Chinese travellers to spend with Alipay in Singapore.
Chinese mobile payments platform Alipay and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have announced a partnership to launch a series of joint marketing initiatives aimed at promoting Singapore to Chinese travellers.
The partnership builds on a previous Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed to explore co-investing in joint-marketing initiatives to entice Chinese travellers to spend with Alipay in Singapore.
The marketing activities will offer Alipay users incentives, such as rewards and discounts, to encourage spending on retail, food and beverage and attractions in Singapore. The two will also partner to create tailored itineraries in line with STB’s Passion Made Possible brand.
Under the partnership, STB will gain insights into the consumer behaviour and spending of Chinese visitors.
Since signing the MOU, Alipay has experienced a double-digit growth in user spending in Singapore. China became Singapore’s top market in 2017 for both tourism receipts and visitor arrivals, contributing S$4.2 billion (US$3.08 million) in tourism receipts and 3.2 million visitor arrivals.
“With China being Singapore’s top source market for both visitor arrivals and tourist spending last year, we are pleased to partner with Alipay as their keen insights and deep understanding of Chinese consumers will help us to continue to grow in this critical market,” said Jacqueline Ng, director, marketing partnerships & planning, STB.
Among Chinese travellers, mobile payment is fast gaining momentum. Chinese travellers (65%) are now six times more likely to use mobile payment platforms than non-Chinese tourists (11%), according to a recent Nielsen report.