Visit Maldives ondersteunt de acceptatie van Weixin-betalingen op de Malediven om meer Chinese toeristen te verwelkomen

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 Selecteer Hudhuran Fushi, Adaaran Club Rannalhi, Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, Adaaran Prestige Water Villas, Privé-eiland Velaa, Cheval Blanc Randheli privé-eiland, Dhawa Ihuru Maldives, Ayada Malediven, Marriott Bonvoy, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Conrad Malediven Rangali-eiland En 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.
In februari 2023 werd een overeenkomst inzake wederzijdse vrijstelling van visumvereisten, ondertekend tussen de Malediven en China, van kracht toen China zijn visumvrij beleid uitbreidde ten behoeve van meer landen. Als gevolg hiervan behoren de Malediven consequent tot de topbestemmingen overzee voor Chinese toeristen tijdens populaire reisperiodes zoals de meivakantie en de nationale feestdagen.

Volgens gegevens van Visit Maldives verwelkomde het land in 2023 ruim 1,8 miljoen toeristen, een nieuw nationaal record. De Chinese markt is een belangrijke bronmarkt voor de Malediven geweest. Sinds 11 mei 2024 is het de nummer één bronmarkt met 91.073 toeristenaankomsten.