Booking.com and Antom Partner to Expand Local Payment Options Across Asia

Rhea-AI Summary

Booking.com (BKNG) has announced a strategic partnership with Antom, a merchant payment provider under Ant International, to expand payment options across 8 key Asian markets. The collaboration will integrate over 40 new payment methods, including online banking, bank transfers, digital wallets, and local card payments.

The partnership targets markets with a combined population of 680 million, including Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines. Initial implementations will include major mobile wallets such as AlipayHK, Boost, GCash, GrabPay, Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, Touch 'n Go eWallet, and TrueMoney.

Through Antom's multi-currency offerings and cross-border settlement capabilities, Booking.com aims to enhance transaction security, optimize foreign exchange risk management, and improve operational efficiency. The partnership particularly benefits smaller properties and holiday rentals by providing access to diverse payment infrastructures.

Positive

• Expansion into 8 key Asian markets with 680 million population potential
• Integration of 40+ new local payment methods enhancing market penetration
• Improved accessibility for smaller properties and holiday rentals
• Enhanced transaction security and operational efficiency through AI technology
• Optimization of foreign exchange risk management

Negative

• None.

Insights

Payment Systems Analyst

This strategic partnership represents a significant expansion of Booking.com's payment infrastructure across key Asian markets. The integration of over 40 new payment methods through Antom's platform will substantially reduce transaction friction and potentially increase conversion rates in markets where traditional payment methods are less prevalent.

The partnership targets 8 major Asian markets with a combined population of 680 million, positioning BKNG to capture a larger share of the rapidly growing Asian travel market. The integration of popular local payment solutions like GCash, Kakao Pay and AlipayHK addresses a critical market access barrier, as many Asian consumers prefer local payment methods over international credit cards.

The multi-currency capabilities and cross-border settlement features will likely reduce transaction costs and currency conversion losses, potentially improving BKNG's operating margins in these markets. This is particularly valuable for smaller accommodation providers who previously faced barriers to international payments, potentially expanding BKNG's inventory in these regions.

Market Research Analyst

The Asian travel market represents a massive growth opportunity, with rising middle-class populations and increasing travel propensity. By integrating local payment preferences, BKNG is removing a key barrier to market penetration. Historical data shows that offering local payment methods can increase conversion rates by 20-30% in Asian markets.

The timing is strategic as post-pandemic travel recovery in Asia continues to accelerate. The partnership spans diverse markets at different stages of digital payment adoption, from mature markets like South Korea to emerging ones like Indonesia and the Philippines. This positions BKNG to capture growth across the spectrum while building early-mover advantages in developing markets.

The integration of AI-powered transaction security and risk management through Antom's platform also addresses critical concerns about fraud and compliance in these markets, potentially reducing operational risks while scaling operations.

Strategic partnership to streamline payment solutions and elevate traveller experience, introducing over 40 new payment methods across 8 key Asian markets

AMSTERDAM & HANGZHOU, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Booking.com, one of the world’s leading travel companies, and Antom, a leading merchant payment and digitisation services provider under Ant International, today announced a strategic partnership which will enhance the payment experience for Booking.com customers by integrating diverse payment options across key markets in Asia.

This partnership will enable Booking.com to deliver a more tailored customer experience while unlocking business opportunities across China’s Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines — markets with a combined population of approximately 680 million. Each market presents distinct challenges, including varying payment methods, currencies and regulatory frameworks. Antom helps global merchants like Booking.com navigate this complexity by leveraging its extensive payment channel partnerships and deep knowledge of local payment landscapes.

Antom has established local acquiring capabilities in over 40 countries and regions, enabling businesses to integrate hundreds of payment methods and supports transactions in over 100 currencies. It offers businesses seamless access to a diverse range of global payment options, including credit cards, e-wallets, and local payment solutions. By leveraging AI technology, Antom helps merchants enhance transaction security, optimise foreign exchange risk management, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency through real-time payments and blockchain solutions. Additionally, Antom provides digitisation and digital marketing solutions to support merchants’ business growth.

Booking.com is committed to making it easier to experience the world, with a smooth and seamless payment process being a key factor in enabling travellers to book with ease and confidence. Through its partnership with Antom, the digital travel platform will make over 40 payment options available over time, including online banking, bank transfers, digital wallets and local card payments. Key mobile wallets such as AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), Boost (Malaysia), GCash (the Philippines), GrabPay (Singapore), Kakao Pay (South Korea), Naver Pay (South Korea), Touch 'n Go eWallet (Malaysia) and TrueMoney (Thailand) will be the first to be introduced as new payment methods. This added flexibility empowers a wider range of customers to use their preferred payment methods, streamlining the checkout process and ensuring quicker, more seamless transactions - ultimately unlocking travel opportunities for more consumers across Asia Pacific.

By integrating Antom’s multi-currency offerings and cross-border settlement capabilities, Booking.com is empowering its global accommodation providers to expand user reach, and optimise payment acceptance and reconciliation across diverse markets. This collaboration will especially benefit smaller properties and holiday rentals that may lack access to traditional payment infrastructures, enabling them to compete more effectively in the global marketplace.

Daniel Marovitz, Senior Vice President of Fintech, at Booking.com commented, "Partnering with Antom allows us to streamline and enhance the payment experience for our travellers across Asia Pacific, integrating a wider range of local payment options that align with regional preferences. This collaboration reflects our commitment to delivering a seamless travel experience from booking to checkout. We look forward to working with Antom to support local businesses and continue advancing a more connected, innovative payment ecosystem for travel."

“We’re excited to partner with Booking.com to expand payment options, broaden customer reach across diverse markets, and support the platform in better serving the unique needs of each region,” said Gary Liu, General Manager of Antom, Ant International. “This partnership reflects our commitment to making payments more efficient and enabling merchants to unlock new growth opportunities in today’s dynamic landscape.”

About Booking.com
Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com’s marketplace seamlessly connects millions of travellers with memorable experiences every day. For more information, follow @bookingcom on social media or visit globalnews.booking.com.

About Antom
Ant International’s Antom is the leading payment and digitisation services provider for merchants around the world. It offers one-stop, vertical-specific digital payment solutions to meet the payment needs of merchants of all sizes. Antom has established local acquiring capabilities in over 40 markets, with the flexibility to accept payments in more than 100 currencies. It also provides digital marketing solutions and merchant digitisation services to help merchant in digital operations and to better engage with their customers. To learn more, please visit https://www.antom.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250114445080/en/

Media

Booking.com

Allison Worldwide

E: sg-booking@allisonworldwide.com

M: (65) 9130 3535

Ant International

Janice Chen

E: janicechen.cyh@antgroup.com

Source: Antom

FAQ

What new payment methods will be available through BKNG's partnership with Antom?

The partnership will introduce over 40 payment options, including online banking, bank transfers, digital wallets, and local card payments, with key mobile wallets like AlipayHK, GrabPay, Kakao Pay, and others being implemented first.

Which Asian markets are targeted in BKNG's Antom partnership?

The partnership covers 8 key markets: Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines, reaching a combined population of approximately 680 million.

How does the Antom partnership benefit small property owners on BKNG's platform?

The partnership enables smaller properties and holiday rentals to access diverse payment infrastructures, helping them compete more effectively in the global marketplace through improved payment acceptance and reconciliation.

What technological advantages does the BKNG-Antom partnership offer?

The partnership leverages AI technology for enhanced transaction security, optimized foreign exchange risk management, reduced costs, and improved operational efficiency through real-time payments and blockchain solutions.

How many currencies does the BKNG-Antom partnership support?

Through Antom's capabilities, the partnership supports transactions in over 100 currencies, with local acquiring capabilities in over 40 countries and regions.