The collaboration between Thunes, a global money movement innovator, and Alipay+, a suite of cross-border mobile payments and digitalization technology solutions, is revolutionizing the shopping experience for tourists in Paris. By combining Thunes’ extensive global network with Alipay+’s robust digital payment technologies, Parisian merchants can now accept a wide range of international e-wallets and mobile partners. This enhancement particularly benefits Asian tourists, allowing them to use their preferred digital wallets for seamless payments while enjoying their visits to the City of Light. This partnership not only simplifies the payment process for travelers but also fosters an inclusive and accessible shopping environment that caters to the diverse preferences of a global customer base.
As global tourism rebounds, the necessity for versatile payment solutions that accommodate the needs of international travelers has become increasingly critical. Thunes and Alipay+ recognized this demand and, through their collaboration, have created a seamless integration that simplifies financial transactions across borders. The initiative taps into the burgeoning trend where tourists prefer to use digital wallets over traditional payment methods, driven by the convenience, speed, and security they offer. For Parisian merchants, this means an expanded customer base and potentially increased revenue, as they can now easily cater to global consumers who expect to use their local digital wallets while abroad.
A Strategic Partnership with Global Impact
The partnership between Thunes and Alipay+ began in 2022, initially enabling European merchants to accept cross-border payments from seven Asian e-wallets at checkout. Thunes has gradually extended Alipay+ acceptance to more European merchants as the number of supported e-wallets has increased. The current enhancement allows hundreds of Parisian merchants to accept payments from 15 international e-wallets and mobile partners through the Thunes Global Network. This development underscores the strategic importance of providing diverse payment options to accommodate global travelers and enhance their overall experience. Such a broad spectrum of payment methods ensures that international visitors can shop and dine in Paris without currency concerns, substantially enriching their travel experience.
Integration of Thunes’ Pay and Accept cross-border payment capabilities with Alipay+’s technology ensures extensive coverage and convenience for tourists. Thunes’ network connects directly to seven billion digital wallets and bank accounts worldwide, providing access to over 330 alternative payment methods. This extensive reach guarantees that tourists can use their preferred payment methods, making their transactions seamless and efficient. The move reflects a concerted effort to create a globally inclusive financial ecosystem where geographical boundaries do not impede smooth and efficient monetary transactions. By scaling up these integrated solutions, Thunes and Alipay+ demonstrate their commitment to supporting local merchants while fostering an engaging and hassle-free shopping experience for tourists.
Enhancing the Tourist Experience in Paris
Over 1.5 billion Alipay+ users worldwide can now make payments via their various local e-wallets in Paris. Supported wallets include major ones from China (Alipay, AlipayHK), Malaysia (Touch ’n Go eWallet, MyPB), Mongolia (Hipay), the Philippines (GCash), Singapore (OCBC Digital, Changi Pay), Thailand (TrueMoney), Italy (Tinaba), Germany and Austria (Bluecode), and South Korea (Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, Toss Pay). This wide range of supported wallets highlights the partnership’s commitment to meeting the diverse payment preferences of international visitors. With such a variety of options available, tourists are more inclined to spend and explore Paris, contributing to the local economy and enhancing their overall travel experience.
With Paris being a focal point for global tourism, especially during the summer months, the integration of Alipay+’s innovative payment solutions with Thunes’ network brings remarkable convenience to Asian tourists. They can now use their familiar digital wallets to make secure payments, enhancing their travel experience and encouraging more spending in local businesses. This ease of payment not only benefits tourists but also supports the growth of Parisian merchants by broadening their customer base. The partnership ensures that visitors can enjoy the city’s myriad attractions and commercial offerings without the hindrance of unfamiliar currency and exchange rates, making their trip more enjoyable and stress-free.
The Role of Digital Wallets in Global Retail
A significant theme emerging from this partnership is the increasing acceptance of digital wallets and e-wallets in global retail environments. This trend reflects the growing demand for digital payment solutions that offer convenience, speed, and security, aligning with the evolving habits of global consumers. More travelers are opting for digital and mobile payment methods, and businesses that accommodate these preferences stand to gain a competitive edge. By being early adopters of such technology, Parisian merchants position themselves as forward-thinking and traveler-friendly, attracting a tech-savvy international audience.
The collaboration between Thunes and Alipay+ represents a significant step towards this digital transformation in the financial services sector. By offering innovative solutions for global money movement and digital payments, both companies are at the forefront of this evolution. The strategic partnership enhances the convenience and satisfaction of international travelers, particularly Asian tourists, promoting seamless financial transactions across borders. As digital wallets become the norm rather than the exception, businesses that embrace these changes will likely see increased customer satisfaction and loyalty, driving sustained growth in an increasingly connected world.
Commitment to Expanding Payment Options
Chloe Mayenobé, President and Chief Operating Officer at Thunes, emphasized their commitment to expanding payment options for merchants and improving transaction convenience for global travelers. She highlighted the importance of welcoming tourists to the fully compliant Thunes Global Network to ensure secure and efficient transactions. This approach supports business growth and fosters positive experiences for visitors, illustrating the mutual benefits of the Thunes and Alipay+ collaboration. By facilitating seamless transactions, Thunes helps merchants cater to a diverse clientele, enhancing their ability to provide superior customer service and capture a larger share of the global market.
Pietro Candela, General Manager of Europe for Alipay+, expressed delight in deepening their partnership with Thunes. He noted that the integration with Thunes’ network allows Asian tourists to use their preferred payment methods in Paris, significantly enhancing their travel experience in Europe. The alignment of both companies’ goals underscores the strategic nature of their partnership in advancing digital payment solutions. The collaboration aims to not only alleviate the payment complexities for tourists but also to set a precedent for future advancements in the financial services sector, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in cross-border payments.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Cross-Border Payment Solutions
Thunes, a leader in global money movement, has partnered with Alipay+, a provider of cross-border mobile payments and digitalization solutions, to transform the shopping experience for tourists in Paris. By leveraging Thunes’ broad international network and Alipay+’s advanced digital payment technology, Parisian retailers now accept a wide array of international e-wallets and mobile partners. This development is especially advantageous for Asian tourists, enabling them to use their preferred digital wallets for seamless transactions while exploring the City of Light. This collaboration not only streamlines the payment process for visitors but also creates a welcoming and accessible shopping environment that meets the diverse preferences of a global clientele.
As global tourism picks up, the need for versatile payment solutions for international travelers becomes increasingly vital. Recognizing this demand, Thunes and Alipay+ have developed an integrated system that simplifies cross-border financial transactions. This initiative taps into the growing trend of tourists favoring digital wallets over traditional payment methods due to their convenience, speed, and security. For Parisian merchants, this means capturing a broader customer base and potentially higher revenue, as they can now easily accommodate global consumers who expect to use their local digital wallets while abroad.
