Chinese travelers received pleasant news last week when it was announced that they will soon be able to use Alipay to purchase goods and services while visiting European destinations.
French payment software and terminals producer Ingenico Group publicly announced its partnership with Alipay on its website on August 18. The statement indicates that the payment alliance will be operational by the end of 2016 and will provide both online and in-store payment services to merchants and consumers throughout Europe.
Ingenico has revealed that Alipay was “accepted in 70 overseas countries and regions” by December 2015, and “tax reimbursements via Alipay are supported in 24 countries.” Alipay allegedly boasts over 450 million active users.
According to a report by Yi Cai Global, Alipay is available in Printemps in Paris, while providing a joint travel insurance service to Chinese tourists with the French insurance company AXA.
Europe has become a major destination for Chinese travellers, due largely to the rise of the country’s middleclass. Douglas Feagin, senior vice-president at Ant Financial, told Financial Times: “Ingenico has a network across all of Europe and a gateway that we could use to connect Alipay to the merchants across Europe.” The partnership will allow Chinese tourists to easily make payments via the Alipay app in grocery stores and shopping malls, as well as bars and restaurants.
Despite the potential convenience, Ingenico may charge customers a fee on every transaction they make under the alliance, according to Yi Cai Global.
[Images via PYMNTS]
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