Queensland set to become more payment friendly for Chinese visitors

The Premier has paved the way for Queensland tourism operators to join one of the biggest online payment platforms in the world.

Alipay is the mobile-based payment system affiliated with Alibaba Group, one of the biggest ecommerce organisations in the world and whose online transactions total more than eBay and Amazon combined.

While on a Trade Mission to China, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk met with Alibaba to discuss a range of investment and merchandising opportunities for Queensland.

Having Queensland tourism operators use Alipay makes it easier and more attractive to Chinese visitors, Queensland’s biggest international visitor market.

“500,000 Chinese visitors came to Queensland in the past year, spending a record $1.3 billion,’ the Premier said.

“With a potential market in the millions we need to do all we can to promote Queensland to Alibaba’s users and make their holidays as seamless as possible.”

The Premier met with the President of Alibaba’s Global Business Group Angel Zhao in Shanghai.

“Angel said she wanted to grow Alibaba’s imports of Queensland’s fresh food into China but she also wants to grow China’s exports of visitors into Queensland,” the Premier said.

“The bottom line of that goal is more jobs for Queenslanders.”

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) over the coming weeks will be conducting industry workshops and bringing online payment platform Alipay and financial services provider UnionPay to Queensland.

A Gold Coast workshop will be held on Monday November 26.

Another will be held in Cairns on Tuesday December 4.

Alibaba Group now has more than 666 million mobile monthly active users on its China retail marketplaces.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said it was important Queensland maintained an edge over competitors.

“We know we operate in a highly competitive market when it comes to attracting international visitors,” Ms Jones said.

“We want to make things as smooth as possible, making transactions easier which will hopefully encourage visitors to book and travel to Queensland.

“With the anticipated growth of independent travellers over Chinese New Year 2019 and the arrival of thousands of Chinese visitors attending the Amway Leadership Seminar, this project couldn’t be timelier.

“This project will also offer tourism operators an opportunity to tap into greater marketing opportunities via Chinese payment platforms.

“This will result in greater visibility of Queensland’s tourism offerings with this important market segment and capture their attention at various stages of the consumer journey.”

[ENDS] 

Media contact:

Zoe Russell (Premier's Office) - 0439 982 347

Jack Harbour (Minister Jones' Office) - 0419 620 447