Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) has partnered with Alipay+ and Weixin Pay in a move aimed at facilitating tourist spending by Chinese and regional visitors in Malaysia.
The collaboration involves three summer campaigns linked to the DuitNow QR payment system, which allows users to transact using their existing mobile wallets across a network of more than 2.5 million merchants in Malaysia.
No additional apps are required, and participating businesses range from retailers to food outlets and tour operators.
The initiative is intended to improve payment accessibility for travellers while broadening exposure to digital payments among MSMEs.
Alipay+ currently enables the use of 15 international e-wallets in Malaysia, including Alipay for Chinese users.
According to PayNet, DuitNow QR transactions made through Alipay+ during the December 2024 travel period saw a six-fold increase in revenue for merchants compared to the previous year.
The summer campaigns include a lucky draw from 26 June to 14 July for AlipayCN and Alipay+ users spending via DuitNow QR, with prizes comprising a trip for two to watch the Arsenal–Tottenham Hotspur match in Hong Kong.
Another campaign, “Eat, Play & Save,” runs from 15 June to 30 September, offering discounts at selected food and tourist locations.
From 15 July to 15 September, Weixin Pay users can also collect digital badges when spending via DuitNow QR, which can later be exchanged for discount vouchers.
In addition, Weixin Pay users benefit from preferential exchange rates when making purchases in Malaysia using DuitNow QR.
PayNet said the campaigns are expected to increase sales by up to 20% for participating merchants.
“This is what smart tourism looks like, seamless for travellers, transformative for our MSMEs.
By enabling tourists to use their home wallets via DuitNow QR, we are opening up more than 2.5 million Malaysian businesses, many of them small and family-run, to global spending power. It’s a digital solution with real-world economic impact,”
said PayNet Chief Marketing Officer, Gary Yeoh.
PayNet aims to increase DuitNow QR transactions through Alipay+ and Weixin Pay by more than 130% this year.
