Sri Lanka eyes Chinese and Southeast Asian tourism boom with Alipay+

By Nishel Fernando

Sri Lanka is making its biggest digital payments push yet, to attract the free-spending Chinese and Southeast Asian tourists, with the launch of Alipay+ across the island’s merchant network. 

The partnership between LankaPay and Ant International comes as the country eyes record tourism earnings in 2025.

With Sri Lanka targeting a resurgence in tourism, the integration of Alipay+—a cross-border mobile payment solution—will allow the travellers from key markets like China, South Korea and Southeast Asia to make secure, QR-code-based transactions at local merchants.

Speaking at the launch, Ant International General Manager Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand Edward Yue highlighted that the collaboration goes beyond payments, offering value-added services such as targeted promotions in partnership with tourism boards to highlight attractions, peak-season campaigns with retailers to drive spending and in-app services like tax refunds, transport bookings and ticket purchases. 

“For example, we can work with the tourism boards to spotlight the local attractions and merchants and with the retailers the campaign promotions during the travel peak periods,” he added.

He emphasised that the partnership would benefit both tourists and businesses.

“We’re working with national QR systems and local acquirers to ensure seamless payments everywhere—easy for the traveller and merchants. Through our in-app marketing platforms like Alipay+ Rewards, merchants can offer promotions to users even before they arrive in Sri Lanka,” he explained.

With the Asian travellers accounting for nearly 45 percent of Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals pre-pandemic, the move directly targets the country’s most valuable visitor segment. The Chinese tourists alone spent an average of US $ 195 per day during the previous peak seasons. 

“Tourism recovery isn’t just about arrivals – it’s about unlocking higher spending,” said Yue. 

“We’re removing the friction that keeps the travellers from spending freely.”

As tourism remains a key pillar of the country’s economy, Ant International’s integration with LankaPay’s One-for-All QR system will help the travellers seamlessly transact at small shops, restaurants and attractions—fostering greater financial inclusion and economic growth.

“The options are endless with Alipay+, we’re not just enabling payments—we’re enhancing the entire travel experience in Sri Lanka,” Yue remarked. 

Alipay+ connects 14 major international e-wallets and banking apps, meaning a tourist from China (Alipay), South Korea (Kakao Pay) or Thailand (TrueMoney) can pay instantly at Lankan merchants, without currency hassles.