TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ant Group announced today that Alipay+ has expanded enabling seamless travel experiences in Japan, where over 1 million local merchants are now connected with global cross-border digital payments and marketing capabilities to better serve consumers worldwide the world.
Universal Studios Japan is the latest partner with Alipay+. Under a joint agreement, the Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka will introduce Alipay+’s QR code cross-border digital payment solution, which accepts some of the region’s most popular e-wallets, offering a convenient and seamless travel experience. quiet for international visitors.
Under the collaboration, tourists from countries such as China, Singapore, South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand can now enjoy the park – and elsewhere in Japan – with just their phone, using their favorite payment app just like they do in home.
The Alipay+ payment solution will be accessible at ticket booths, retail stores and restaurants within the park. In addition, Universal Studios Japan will use Alipay+ marketing solutions to run campaigns, such as coupon promotions to attract overseas visitors who are increasingly digitally savvy and prefer more personalized interactions.
JL Bonnier, President and CEO, USJ LLC said, “We are very pleased to welcome Alipay+ as the Corporate Marketing Partner of Universal Studios Japan. The easing of border measures by the government has paved the way for the revival of domestic tourism, and the partnership with Alipay+ is of great importance. It will be easier for guests from Asian countries to pay with their popular mobile payment methods through Alipay+ and this will lead to an enhanced shopping experience that is part of the park’s offerings. Furthermore, we would like to contribute to the reconstruction of the tourism industry to accelerate the recovery of tourism demand in Japan with the park as a primary destination.”
Commenting on the collaboration, Ant Group Japan General Manager Jiang Weixiao said: “We are very pleased to become a corporate marketing partner with Universal Studios Japan and introduce Alipay+. Through Alipay+, we hope that more visitors to Japan not only will they enjoy a smoother and more fruitful shopping and leisure experience in the park, but it will also lead to more overall visits.Currently, the number of Alipay+ merchant partners in Japan, including facilities tourism and commerce, has exceeded one million. As Japan reopens to individual tourists, we would like to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises in tourism, retail, hospitality and other businesses in Japan to integrate Alipay+ as an opportunity to to capture their purchasing power and provide a frictionless experience to more than 1 billion people in Asia. The region.”
The expansion of Alipay+’s easy travel campaign in Japan is expected to be well received as the country recently lifted the daily limit on inbound arrivals and resumed a visa-free policy, leading to a full reopening. The policy change, which begins on October 11, comes after nearly two and a half years of entry restrictions.
The World Economic Forum’s latest Travel and Tourism Development Index ranked Japan as the number one economy enabling travel and tourism development. Other studies show that the country has seen a steady increase in the use of mobile payments during the Covid-19 pandemic, as more people embrace contactless payments and digital lifestyles.
Through the integration of Alipay+ solutions, over 1 million offline merchants in Japan are now able to accept various mobile payment methods across Asia and add marketing capabilities to better attract and serve international tourists.
Users of seven mobile payment platforms – Alipay (Mainland China), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR China), EZ-Link (Singapore), Kakao Pay (South Korea), GCash (Philippines), Touch ‘n Go eWallet (Malaysia) , and TrueMoney (Thailand) – are now able to travel in Japan with just their phone, making payments with their favorite e-wallets at home. Alipay+ merchant coverage includes major tourism activities including payments at airports, shopping malls, convenience stores, cafes and restaurants.
About Alipay+
Alipay+ provides unified global mobile payment and marketing solutions that connect merchants with multiple e-wallets and payment methods from different countries and regions by collaborating with global partners. Customers can easily use their favorite local payment methods while transacting seamlessly in another market and be able to enjoy marketing offers through Alipay+. Alipay+ is developed by Ant Group, the owner and operator of Alipay, one of the world’s leading open digital platforms.
About Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan is wholly owned by Comcast NBCUniversal. Universal Studios Japan, located in Osaka, Japan, has managed to establish its position as a prominent entertainment and entertainment landmark attracting many guests from far-flung areas in Japan as well as abroad. “Bringing You the Best of the World” – a theme park where its guests can have the best experiences in the world and create the best memories in the world, Universal Studios Japan offers world-class entertainment such as attractions and authentic shows , based not only on Hollywood blockbusters but also popular entertainment brands, and a series of seasonal events that entertain its guests to the fullest. Universal Studios Japan has continued to evolve since its opening and has recently accelerated its growth with the launch of world-class entertainment experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Flying Dinosaur, Minion Park and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, a new area where guests can unleash their passion for gaming in an immersive environment based on world-famous Nintendo characters and their worlds.
