Global Payments’ UK partnership with Alipay will enable merchants to provide a seamless shopping experience to the Chinese tourist market, whether they are booking their journey, travelling, or embracing local retail and entertainment opportunities. Nearly 350,000 Chinese nationals visited the UK in 2017 spending almost £700 million, and mobile payments are the most popular form of payment among Chinese tourists. Through Global Payments’ partnership with Alipay, merchants will have the ability to serve Chinese tourists by offering e-payments in Chinese Yuan in-store or online. The launch of this partnership is timely as this week sees the start of Chinese Golden Week, a traditional time when Chinese nationals travel.

“Alipay is committed to better connecting Chinese tourists abroad with local merchants.” commented Tao Tao, Business Development Director, Alipay EMEA. “By partnering with Global Payments and subsequently providing access to our services, we are continuing with our mission to break down global borders and accelerate the free flow of trade and communication through technological innovation.

“We will enable merchants that operate with Global Payments to engage with the growing number of high-spending Chinese tourists visiting Europe, by offering them the retail and payment experience they are used to at home.”

“We’re thrilled to begin working with Alipay in the UK. This shows our continued commitment to leading payments technology across the globe by offering another form of payment acceptance to merchants,” said Peter Bettles, COO at Global Payments UK. “There is an increasing number of Chinese tourists visiting the UK and we are excited to announce our support of Alipay’s expansion in the UK market during the Chinese Golden Week. By using Alipay, our merchants can provide a seamless customer experience.”