Visit Maldives unterstützt die Akzeptanz von Weixin Pay auf den Malediven, um mehr chinesische Touristen willkommen zu heißen

On May 27, Zihuny Rasheed, Deputy Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives), and Mr Etienne Ng, Weixin Pay’s Country Manager, Singapore and Regional Director, Southeast Asia, WeChat Pay, signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during ITB China 2024, pledging to support more Maldivian merchants to accept WeixinPay to provide Chinese tourists with a convenient payment experience. Visit Maldives is the Official Destination Partner for this year’s edition of ITB China.

“China is a key source of tourists for the Maldives, and we greatly value the experience of Chinese visitors,” said DMD Zihuny Rasheed. “We plan on promoting the acceptance of Weixin Pay throughout the country, offering Chinese tourists the payment option they are familiar with and prefer. I have used Weixin Pay during my visit to China via linking an international card, and I can attest to the convenience of the mobile payment option.”

Ibrahim Faisal, Minister of Tourism of the Maldives, expressed his support, “Excited that we’re introducing Weixin Pay for Chinese visitors, which is another step in establishing Maldives as their top destination. Now, it’s easier than ever for Chinese travellers to enjoy their stay, hassle-free. We look forward to further enhancing their experience,” he wrote.

According to Mr Etienne Ng, Weixin Pay is currently being piloted at the country’s airport duty-free store, as well as in popular restaurants like Sala Thai and City Garden. Additionally, a range of hotels and resorts are participating including, JEN Maldives Malé by Shangri-La, Adaaran Wählen Sie Hudhuran Fushi, Adaaran Club Rannalhi, Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, Adaaran Prestige Water Villas, Privatinsel Velaa, Cheval Blanc Randheli Privatinsel, Dhawa Ihuru Maldives, Ayada Malediven, Marriott Bonvoy, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Und Angsana Velavaru in Maldives with strong support from the Bank of Maldives and local merchants. Making smooth progress, the initiative is expected to have 8,000 merchants nationwide that integrate the payment option.

“Weixin Pay is committed to providing users with safe and convenient payment services. Since the visa exemption policy was implemented, more and more Weixin Pay users have chosen to travel to the island country. Through our cooperation with Visit Maldives, we aim to provide Chinese users with the same convenient experience in the travel as they experience at home,” he said.
Im Februar 2023 trat ein Abkommen über gegenseitige Befreiung von der Visumpflicht zwischen den Malediven und China in Kraft, da China seine Visumfreiheitspolitik ausweitet, um mehr Ländern zugute zu kommen. Infolgedessen zählen die Malediven in beliebten Reisezeiten wie dem 1. Mai und den Nationalfeiertagen stets zu den beliebtesten Reisezielen für chinesische Touristen.

Laut Angaben von Visit Maldives begrüßte das Land im Jahr 2023 über 1,8 Millionen Touristen, ein neuer nationaler Rekord. Der chinesische Markt ist ein wichtiger Quellmarkt für die Malediven. Mit Stand vom 11. Mai 2024 ist er mit 91.073 Touristenankünften der Quellmarkt Nummer eins.