Nepal is taking a giant leap towards a more convenient and globally connected tourism experience. Starting today, travelers from Asia and Europe can easily make payments at over 875,000 merchants across Nepal using their favorite mobile payment apps! This exciting development comes courtesy of a strategic partnership between Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) and Ant International, the powerhouse behind Alipay+.
This partnership, unveiled at the prestigious Singapore Fintech Festival 2024, is a game-changer for Nepal’s tourism sector. By integrating with Alipay+, Nepal is now part of a vast network of digital payment options that cater to a diverse international audience. Alipay+ users can now simply scan NEPALPAY QR codes at participating merchants to make swift and secure payments, eliminating the hassle of cash transactions.
The impressive roster of supported mobile payment apps includes Alipay (China), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR), MPay (Macao SAR), Touch ’n Go eWallet and MyPB (Malaysia), GCash (Philippines), Naver Pay and Toss Pay (South Korea), TrueMoney (Thailand), Hipay (Mongolia), Tinaba (Italy), and Singapore’s Changi Pay and OCBC Digital. This wide range of options ensures that a substantial number of international tourists can enjoy a seamless and convenient payment experience.
This groundbreaking initiative is not just about convenience; it’s a strategic move to bolster Nepal’s tourism industry and aligns perfectly with the central bank’s vision of establishing global payment connectivity. The partnership between NCHL and Ant International, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2024, has paved the way for this exciting development. After six months of meticulous planning, the service is now officially live, ready to transform the way tourists experience Nepal.
This innovative approach to digital payments promises to enhance the overall tourist experience in Nepal, attracting more visitors and boosting the economy. As Nepal embraces the digital age, it’s poised to become a leader in promoting convenient and globally accessible payment options for international travelers.
