Tourists using AlipayCN, Alipay+ partner payment apps, and Weixin Pay can pay with ease in Malaysia by scanning DuitNow QR – no extra apps needed. It’s the same e-wallet they use at home, accepted at more than 2.5 million merchants in Malaysia. From restaurants and hotels to souvenir kiosks and tour operators, this enhanced interoperability makes travel hassle-free. It also increases visibility for merchants, helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) tap into tourist spending. Alipay+ currently enables 15 international payment apps in Malaysia, including Alipay for Chinese tourists. During the December 2024 travel peak, Alipay+, via DuitNow QR, drove a six-fold revenue increase for Malaysian merchants’ year-on-year.

This multi-partner initiative aims to increase sales by 20% for participating merchants during the summer campaign period. In the long run, the campaign underpins Malaysia’s goal of becoming a cashless tourism leader, while helping more businesses tap into digital payments.

Tourism Malaysia Director General, Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, highlighted that the summer campaigns play a vital role in reaching the target of six million Chinese tourist arrivals this year.

PayNet, Alipay+, and Weixin Pay are launching three targeted campaigns that reward spending, celebrate local experiences, and deepen tourism-driven economic impact:

Partner	Campaign Details
Alipay+	Lucky Draw: Win a Premier League Football Experience From 26 June to 14 July, Chinese and regional travellers¹, who spend at DuitNow QR merchants via AlipayCN and Alipay+ partner payment apps, stand a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Hong Kong to catch Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur. Two winners, each with one guest, will receive tickets to the football match on 31 July, round-trip flight tickets, and a three-day, two-night luxury hotel stay. For specific campaign details, refer to the AlipayCN or Alipay+ partner payment apps apps. T&Cs apply.
	Spend and Save: Eat, Play & Save Running from 15 June to 30 September, this campaign rewards AlipayCN and Alipay+ payment partner users with generous discounts as they explore Malaysia’s diverse F&B scene and tourist attractions. For specific campaign details, refer to the AlipayCN or Alipay+ partner payment apps. T&Cs apply.
Weixin Pay	Collect Badges, Get Rewards From 15 July to 15 September, Weixin Pay users can enjoy a fun, interactive experience that rewards spending in Malaysia through a collectible badge campaign. With each DuitNow QR transaction, users earn a unique badge featuring Malaysian cultural elements, which can be redeemed into discount coupons. In addition to the campaign, Weixin Pay users also benefit from year-round preferential foreign exchange rates when making purchases via DuitNow QR in Malaysia. For specific campaign details, refer to Weixin’s Mini Program (微信支付全球有礼). T&Cs apply.

As tourist arrivals to Malaysia continue to grow, the partnership between PayNet, Alipay+, and Weixin Pay showcases the power of digital payments to fuel economic growth. In line with this momentum, the target for 2025 is to increase DuitNow QR transactions through Alipay+ and Weixin Pay by more than 130% year-on-year.

By empowering local businesses and simplifying how tourists pay via trusted mobile payment methods, this summer campaign marks a meaningful step forward in strengthening Malaysia’s tourism economy and boosting regional economic integration.

¹Tourists using Alipay+ from the countries listed below are eligible to participate in the contests:
Alipay (China), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), MPay (Macao SAR, China), TrueMoney, Kbank (Thailand), Changi Pay (Singapore), Hipay (Mongolia), HelloMoney, GCash (Philippines), Tinaba (Italy), Kaspi (Kazakhstan), BigPay (Singapore, Thailand), Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, and Toss (South Korea).

The collaboration between PayNet, Alipay+, and Weixin Pay signals more than just a seasonal tourism boost—it’s a strategic leap toward regional payment interoperability and economic digitization. While Europe continues to grapple with fragmented payment ecosystems and often outdated POS infrastructure, Malaysia is quietly emerging as a leader in mobile-first, cross-border payment innovation. With DuitNow QR acting as a unifying interface across multiple global wallets, the country is executing what the EU’s PSD2 and EPI initiatives are still aiming for: a seamless, inclusive payment experience that works across borders, benefits small merchants, and appeals to global consumers.

Southeast Asia’s embrace of mobile wallets—driven by tourism, smartphone penetration, and regulatory support—has positioned the region years ahead in digital payment fluidity. In contrast, many European markets remain dominated by cards and local schemes, with limited compatibility for tourists using Alipay or WeChat Pay. Malaysia, by accepting these wallets natively via QR code, isn’t just welcoming tourists—it’s integrating into the digital lifestyles of its most valuable visitors.

The broader trend is clear: interoperability is no longer a technical challenge but a strategic imperative. Countries and platforms that act early—by opening up national systems like PayNet has—stand to gain not just tourist dollars, but long-term relevance in the evolving digital economy. Malaysia’s model offers a glimpse of what a truly borderless payments future could look like—fast, familiar, and frictionless. Europe, take note.

Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) is Malaysia’s national payments network with a mission to accelerate the country’s payment flows by making the digital payment infrastructure more accessible, widespread, and secure. Our comprehensive retail payments suite-including DuitNow (QR and Transfer), JomPAY (Bill Payments), FPX (Online), MyDebit (Domestic Debit), MEPS, and IBG (Interbank GIRO)-provides extensive coverage across the nation, forming a core part of daily life in Malaysia.

Additionally, PayNet’s real-time retail QR payments network, DuitNow, is interoperable with domestic schemes in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia, facilitating seamless cross-border transactions with these countries. PayNet is committed to promoting a secure, efficient, and innovative payments ecosystem in Malaysia and works closely with its stakeholders to develop new products and services that meet the evolving needs of consumers and businesses.