Queensland Government aims to attract millions of Chinese tourists with new card payment scheme

April 21, 2019

The Queensland Government has signed a new marketing agreement with global financial company UnionPay International to make it as easy and seamless as possible for Chinese tourists to travel to the state.

UnionPay is a global card scheme company with the world’s largest cardholder base of more than seven billion cards issued to customers across 52 countries and regions.

It’s the second deal of its kind, after the Queensland Government brokered a landmark partnership with the giant Alibaba Group just last year.

Introducing the initiative, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk stated "the latest agreement with UnionPay ensures our tourism businesses will be well positioned to cash in on the Chinese tourism boom.

“This UnionPay deal plus the Alibaba partnership – a service that has more than 666 million mobile monthly users on its retail marketplaces in China – makes us the undisputed leaders in this space in Australia.

Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said data released last month showed China remained Queensland’s largest market for international tourists.

Minister Jones advised “these Chinese visitors spent more than $1.4 billion last year, an all-time record and a 25.4% increase on 2017.

“While there has been a considerable take-up of UnionPay cards by businesses in Queensland not all operators realise they have the capability to accept UnionPay transactions.

"If a Queensland tourism business banks with one of the big four, all they simply need to do is contact their bank and request UnionPay capabilities."

UnionPay International South Pacific General Manager James Yang said the partnership would help promote Queensland to Chinese visitors.

Yang stated “this partnership offers a unique opportunity to reach high-value travellers through new targeted channels.

“We look forward to the execution of this marketing agreement, aligning with Trade and Investment Queensland to promote its travel destination to Chinese visitors.”

Trade and Investment Queensland is running a series of China Payment Expos in key destinations from Cairns to the Gold Coast to help the tourism industry understand the Chinese payment landscape and how to make their business China ready.

The latest agreement was signed by the Queensland Government through Trade and Investment Queensland.

28th January 2019 - Sentosa Singapore launches cashless initiative to entice Chinese tourists

17th December 2018 - Queensland Government declares 2019 to be the Year of Outback Tourism

9th October 2018 - Chinese tourists go cashless at Singapore attractions

4th September 2018 - Expanding Australia’s High Net Worth appeal a positive for tourism

2nd October 2017 - Chinese tourists changing their spending patterns

6th April 2017 - Visitor attractions hit by stolen credit card scam

21st January 2017 - IOC and Alibaba Group launch historic long-term partnership

9th September 2016 - Record 133 million Chinese tourists to travel overseas

29th July 2016 - Populous backs Alibaba plan to increase sport participation in China

10th September 2015 - Alibaba Group launches dedicated sports venture

3rd March 2015 - Payment solutions company Debitsuccess launches in the USA

10th July 2013 - Leading Australian tourism booking website launches Chinese ecommerce website

30th March 2013 - Delivering higher quality experiences for Chinese Visitors

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