Singapore Tourism Board, Weixin Pay partner to roll out service to more local merchants
The Singapore Tourism Board and Chinese mobile payment service Weixin Pay have inked a deal to roll out the system to more local merchants. Weixin is a Chinese mainland version of the more globally-known WeChat. Some 10,000 merchants in Singapore are already using the digital payment system. Singapore saw around 125,000 Chinese tourists in Q1 2023. That’s around 13% of what traffic was before the pandemic and could grow to as much as 60% by year-end. STB is launching a new campaign in May offering deals and promotions for Weixin Pay users. singapore wechat
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Weixin Pay on April 21 entered into a strategic agreement in Shanghai. Keith Tan, Chief Executive of STB, and Freedom Li, President of Weixin Pay International Business, signed the 3-year agreement that pledges to bring smarter and more convenient traveling experiences to Chinese tourists. The two sides will also leverage the vibrant Weixin ecosystem to promote the digital transformation of various industries in the city-state.
“We look forward to the return of Chinese tourists, for whom Weixin Pay is a popular digital tool, and we hope this strategic partnership will enable tourists to enjoy even more lifestyle experiences in Singapore,” said Andrew Phua, Executive Director of Singapore Tourism Board for Greater China. He also added that Singapore merchants can leverage Weixin’s ecosystem to further upgrade their digital capabilities to better serve Chinese consumers.
Singapore gears up for Golden Week holiday with Weixin Pay’s digital solutions and attractive deals for Chinese tourists singapore wechat
Weixin Pay’s Li noted Singapore is a popular destination for outbound Chinese tourists and a market that Weixin Pay attaches great importance to. “In the past, we have collaborated with the STB to promote the popularity and development of digital payment. We will work together further to provide digital solutions based on the Weixin ecosystem to create high-quality cross-border smart travel experiences for Chinese tourists,” said Li.
The strategic partnership came ahead of China’s May Day holiday, also known as the Golden Week holiday. The signing ceremony also highlighted multiple measures to attract Chinese tourists to Singapore from May 1 to Oct 31, in partnership with dozens of top key merchants in Singapore, including Jewel Changi Airport, CapitaLand malls, Mandai Wildlife Reserve and Sentosa. For example, Chinese tourists can enjoy a 20% discount on at selected stores when spending via Weixin Pay.
