Agoda and Alipay+ Expand on Their Partnership to Offer Greater Rewards to Travelers Through Digital Payment Methods

Rhea-AI Summary

Agoda has partnered with Alipay+ to enhance its platform with advanced payment solutions and customer rewards. This collaboration introduces multiple marketing solutions, including Alipay+ Rewards, aimed at increasing transaction conversion rates for Agoda. As travel rebounds post-COVID-19, Agoda reports a nearly tenfold increase in bookings in key regions. The integration will initially benefit travelers in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Thailand. Agoda's history with Alipay dates back to 2013, underlining a longstanding relationship in the digital payments space.

Positive

• Partnership with Alipay+ enhances customer rewards and payment options.
• Integration of Alipay+ solutions expected to increase transaction conversion rates.
• Significant rise in bookings nearly tenfold in key regions since early 2023.

Negative

• None.

SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Agoda and Alipay+ today announced a new partnership that will leverage Alipay+ solutions on the Agoda platform for better customer benefits and rewards. This is in addition to the existing integration of multiple digital wallets, namely the AlipayHK, GCash and TrueMoney, through Alipay+ on Agoda’s platforms.

(Photo: Business Wire)

With this new partnership, multiple Alipay+ marketing solutions, including Alipay+ Rewards and its in-cashier marketing services, can be used for discounts distribution and redemption on Agoda. This enables Agoda to enhance its transaction conversion rate, while travelers can enjoy great returns in countries and regions like Hong Kong SAR of China, the Philippines, and Thailand – with the possibility of more regions to come in the future.

As the global economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the online travel industry has seen a vigorous rebound. In some key countries across the region, bookings have increased nearly tenfold since the start of the year, according to Agoda data and this number is only expected to increase.

“As we gear up for the return to travel, we want to offer our customers greater choice and flexibility in their bookings. The pandemic has greatly accelerated the digitisation of travel and we are committed to keeping with the times as we continue to onboard more diverse modes of payments globally. We value this partnership with Alipay+ as it helps us offer more benefits to the end user through the clever integration of new payment solutions and rewards programs – allowing us to reach out to and target a wider network of customers.”, said Damien Pfirsch, CCO, Agoda.

Introduced by Ant Group in 2020, Alipay+ is a suite of global cross-border digital payments and marketing solutions designed to enable businesses, especially small and medium-sized businesses, to process a wide range of mobile payment methods and reach hundreds of millions of regional and global consumers. Other leading e-wallets supported by Alipay+ include Boost (Malaysia), Rabbit LINE Pay (Thailand), Touch 'n Go (Malaysia), Kakao Pay (South Korea), Klarna (Europe) and more.

“We are glad to reach this new partnership with Agoda to support the recovery of the travel industry from the pandemic.” said Jing Yin, General Manager of Global Strategic Accounts of International Business Group at Ant Group, “With innovative payment and marketing solutions, Alipay+ is committed to helping merchants reach global consumers as a cross-border economic connector and allow consumers to make payments on global platforms with their preferred digital wallets.”

Agoda has partnered with Ant Group and integrated Alipay as a payment option in the Chinese market as early as 2013. Since early 2022, Agoda has been integrating Alipay+ payment solutions to accept payments through multiple digital wallets across Asia. On July 4, Agoda also worked with Alipay+ to launch a Brand Day campaign in the Philippines market.

About Agoda

Agoda helps anyone travel anywhere with its great value deals on a global network of 2.7M hotels and holiday properties worldwide, plus flights, airport transfers and more. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 39 languages and supported by 24/7 customer support.

Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 4,800 staff in 32 markets, dedicated to leveraging best-in-class technology to make travel even easier.

About Alipay+

Alipay+ provides global cross-border digital payments and marketing solutions that enable global e-wallets and merchant partners, especially small and medium-sized businesses, to better serve their users and customers.

Alipay+ is introduced by Ant Group, the owner and operator of Alipay. As one of the world’s leading digital payment platforms, Alipay serves hundreds of millions of users by connecting them with merchants and partner financial institutions that offer inclusive financial services and digital daily life services.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220808005877/en/

Media Inquiries

Vick Li Wei

Ant Group

Vick.lw@antgroup.com

Source: Alipay+

FAQ

What is the new partnership between Agoda and Alipay+?

Agoda has partnered with Alipay+ to integrate new payment solutions and rewards for customers, enhancing the booking experience.

How will the Agoda and Alipay+ partnership affect customers?

Customers will benefit from increased rewards and discounts through the use of Alipay+ solutions on the Agoda platform.

In which regions will Agoda's partnership with Alipay+ initially benefit travelers?

The partnership will initially benefit travelers in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Thailand.

What impact has the COVID-19 recovery had on Agoda's bookings?

Agoda has reported a nearly tenfold increase in bookings in key regions as the travel industry recovers from the pandemic.

What are Alipay+ Rewards?

Alipay+ Rewards are part of the new marketing solutions offered by Alipay+ that allow for effective discounts distribution and redemption on Agoda.