Alipay, the world's leading digital payments platform, operated by Ant Financial Services Group, announced today that it will partner with global restaurateur HMSHost to provide the Alipay mobile payment experience in many North American airports. Through this deployment, Chinese travelers visiting the U.S. and Canada will be able to pay using the Alipay app when making purchases at HMSHost-operated restaurants in most major airports across North America. Alipay is targeting late Q4 2018 for the first integration of HMSHost locations with the payment service.
"This is a key strategic partnership for Alipay as we grow our North American presence and help extend the Alipay experience to Chinese consumers visiting North America. We are thrilled to partner with HMSHost to provide Chinese consumers with a more familiar way to pay while dining at airports," said Yulei Wang, General Manager, Alipay North America.
Alipay is China's leading digital payment provider and the primary means of online and mobile payment for Chinese consumers. HMSHost operates a variety of proprietary and branded licensed restaurants in most major North American airports. A typical air traveler can be exposed to HMSHost's signature service and brands several times during his or her travel journey.
"We are committed to providing service to make convenient and enjoyable experiences for all guests when they choose to dine with HMSHost. We are very excited about partnering with Alipay to expand the service we offer and to continue providing all consumers with their preferred payment options," said Joy Butler, Treasurer at HMSHost.
The U.S. and Canada are among the most popular destinations for Chinese travelers and students, with around four million visits and over half a million Chinese students per year. Approximately 91% of Chinese tourists said widespread availability of mobile payment systems such as Alipay would encourage them to spend more while travelling abroad, according to a Nielsen report.
About HMSHostGlobal restaurateur HMSHost is a world leader in creating dining for travel venues. HMSHost operates in more than 120 airports around the globe and at more than 100 travel plazas in North America. The company has annual sales of nearly $3.3 billion and employs more than 41,000 associates worldwide. HMSHost is a part of Autogrill Group, the world's leading provider of food & beverage services for people on the move. With sales of €4.6 billion in 2017, the group operates in 31 countries and employs over 58,000 people. It manages approximately 4,000 stores in about 1,000 locations worldwide. Visit HMSHost.com for more information and connect with HMSHost on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Alipay Operated by Ant Financial Services Group, Alipay is the world's leading mobile and online payment platform. Launched in 2004, Alipay has evolved from a digital wallet to a lifestyle enabler. Users can hail a taxi, book a hotel, buy movie tickets, pay utility bills, make appointments with doctors, or purchase wealth management products directly from within the app. In addition to online payments, Alipay is expanding to in-store offline payments both inside and outside of China. Over 40 million brick-and-mortar merchants now accept Alipay across China. Alipay's in-store payment service covers over 40 countries and regions across the world, and tax reimbursement via Alipay is supported in 29 countries and regions. Alipay works with over 250 overseas financial institutions and payment solution providers to enable cross-border payments for Chinese travelling overseas and overseas customers who purchase products from Chinese e-commerce sites. Alipay currently supports 27 currencies. Connect with Alipay on Twitter.
