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 Seleziona Hudhuran Fushi, Adaaran Club Rannalhi, Adaaran Prestigio Vadoo, Ville sull'acqua di prestigio di Adaaran, Isola privata Velaa, Isola privata di Cheval Blanc Randheli, Dhawa Ihuru Maldive, Ayada Maldive, Marriott Bonvoy, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Conrad Maldive Isola di Rangali E Angsana Velavaru alle Maldive con il forte supporto della Bank of Maldives e dei commercianti locali. Facendo progressi senza intoppi, si prevede che l'iniziativa avrà 8.000 commercianti in tutto il paese che integreranno l'opzione di pagamento.
“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.
Nel febbraio 2023, un accordo di esenzione reciproca dai requisiti di visto firmato tra le Maldive e la Cina è entrato in vigore mentre la Cina espande la sua politica di esenzione dai visti a beneficio di più paesi. Di conseguenza, le Maldive si sono costantemente classificate tra le principali destinazioni d’oltremare per i turisti cinesi durante i periodi di viaggio più popolari come il Primo Maggio e le festività del Giorno Nazionale.
Secondo i dati di Visit Maldives, il Paese ha accolto oltre 1,8 milioni di turisti nel 2023, un nuovo record nazionale. Il mercato cinese è stato un mercato di origine chiave per le Maldive. All’11 maggio 2024 è il primo mercato di origine con 91.073 arrivi turistici.