- Alipay-linked transactions by foreign visitors jump nearly 70%
- Tax refund tools and digital services drive deeper travel spending
Spending by inbound tourists using Alipay-linked payment services in China jumped nearly 70% during the first three days of the May Day holiday, highlighting a rebound in cross-border consumption and growing reliance on mobile payments.
Transactions made via overseas bank cards bound to Alipay accounts and through Alipay+ partner wallets both saw strong growth compared with the same period last year, according to data from Ant International.
Major cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Jinhua (Yiwu), Chengdu, Chongqing, Nanjing and Xi’an ranked among the top destinations by Alipay spending, reflecting a shift toward more in-depth, experience-driven travel.
Visitors from Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and Malaysia were among the most active users of their home e-wallets while traveling in mainland China, generating the highest transaction volumes, statistics show.
Mobile-based services such as ride-hailing, food ordering, portable charger rentals, car rentals and fuel or charging payments were among the most frequently used features, underscoring the appeal of a fully digital travel experience.
Tax refund services also played a role in boosting spending. In cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Xi’an, tourists used a “tap or scan” function on Alipay to receive instant rebates at participating stores, with refunds processed in as little as two minutes.
The number of tax refund transactions handled through Alipay during the first three days of the holiday rose more than 40% from the previous month, suggesting that simplified procedures are helping to lift inbound consumption.
