Kuala Lumpur:Tourism Malaysia and Alipay+, the unified wallet gateway of Ant International, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost digital tourism services, cross-border commerce, and merchant engagement in preparation for Visit Malaysia 2026-2027.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the collaboration merges Tourism Malaysia's marketing capabilities with Alipay+'s global digital wallet network and AI technology. This partnership aims to connect international visitors with local tourism operators and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), encouraging exploration beyond major tourism hubs and spreading economic benefits nationwide.
Tourism Malaysia director-general Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim emphasized that this collaboration would facilitate a seamless digital experience for travelers, enhancing Malaysia's competitiveness as a smart tourism destination. He noted that leveraging digital platforms with international reach allows for more effective engagement with travelers, showcasing Malaysia's diverse tourism experiences globally.
In the first half of 2026, over 600,000 Malaysian merchants, mainly SMEs, processed payments through Alipay+ partner digital wallets and banking applications, marking a more than 70 percent increase year-on-year. Additionally, traveller spending via DuitNow rose by over 60 percent, with Alipay+ being the largest contributor to inbound QR transactions nationwide. Alipay+ connects more than two billion user accounts with 150 million merchants across 210 destinations.
Michael Guo, Alipay+'s general manager for Southeast Asia, South Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, stated that the partnership aims to help local businesses engage more actively with global customers. This initiative enables Malaysian SMEs to participate in the growth of cross-border travel and commerce by moving beyond mere international payment acceptance.
A key component of this collaboration is Alipay+ Voyager, an AI-powered travel agent embedded in digital wallets. It recommends Tourism Malaysia-verified offerings based on travelers' interests, creating a new digital channel to reach international customers. The partnership will also provide Malaysian merchants with enhanced access to international travelers through global e-wallet platforms and personalized tourism offers, including a campaign offering 20 percent savings via PayNet's DuitNow to encourage local spending.