Alipay+ said Thursday that Malaysia recorded the highest transaction growth in Southeast Asia with a 45 percent year-on-year increase, reflecting the country’s status as the number one destination in the region and top five most popular global destinations for Alipay+ users; and the top growth market amongst Chinese travelers.

Alipay+ said in a statement on Thursday that mobile-first habits are reshaping how international travelers spend in Malaysia.

Ranked among the world’s top five most popular destinations and number one in Southeast Asia based on transactions, Malaysia is seeing a surge in mobile wallet usage not only in Kuala Lumpur, but also across secondary cities such as Semporna, Kuantan and Tawau.

With Malaysia preparing to welcome 47 million visitors under the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, Alipay+ said the firm is helping local merchants, and the tourism industry meet growing traveler demand by expanding its payments and digital services ecosystem.

It is noted that the firm is growing cross-border payment acceptance for Alipay+ to more than 100 markets, and expanding its partner ecosystem to 40, representing 1.8 billion users.

“Travel has a significant impact on local economies, and we believe that mobile wallets can be a catalyst for growth, connecting travelers and businesses in more ways than ever,” said Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International.

“Alipay+ aims to support the travel ecosystem with AI- powered payments and digital services to enable online and offline merchants, tourism partners, and other fintechs to create customer-centric engagements for mobile-savvy consumers,

“Through greater collaboration, we can create a new future of travel, one that enhances the experience for consumers, and promotes growth and connectivity,” he added.

This growth has also been further strengthened through Alipay+’s collaboration with PayNet to expand payment acceptance and engage travelers, paving the way for three key trends set to define Malaysia’s tourism economy in 2025 and beyond.

“The rise in mobile wallet usage reflects how digital payments are now integral to Malaysia’s tourism experience,” said Farhan Ahmad, PayNet’s Group Chief Executive Officer.

According to him, through PayNet’s collaboration with Alipay+, they are enabling travelers to spend seamlessly in Malaysia with their home wallets through DuitNow QR.

“This partnership makes travel easier, while strengthening Malaysia’s position as a regional leader in interoperable, inclusive digital payments,

“As we gear up for Visit Malaysia 2026, we’re also ensuring local businesses, whether in city centers or small towns, benefit directly from tourist spending,” he added.

Globally, travelers are embracing the use of their trusted home payment app, with more than 6.5 million digital wallet users using Alipay+ cross-border payments for the first time while abroad in the first half of 2025.

Malaysia continues to stand out as a top destination, particularly for travelers from China, Hong Kong SAR, Kazakhstan and Thailand.

For Chinese travellers, Malaysia is the top growth market, compared to other global travel hotspots.

Meanwhile, cross-border payment acceptance for Alipay+ in Malaysia is accelerating, with transactions via PayNet’s DuitNow interoperable QR increasing more than 80 percent year-on-year the first half of 2025.

Tourism spending via Alipay+ at DuitNow QR merchants increased more than 150 percent during the same period, bringing revenue to local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

This growth reflects Malaysia’s position as one of the world’s fastest-rising destinations in terms of total payment volume, where visitors are not only spending
more overall but also contributing directly to local SMEs and neighborhood businesses.

Travelers are also seeking greater value when they travel by going to places closer to home, looking for deals, and spending at local merchants.

Asia is leading global travel growth in 2025, with intra-Asia travel a big contributor. China, Japan, South Korea, and particularly Southeast Asia are amongst the most popular travel destinations globally, with intra-Asia transactions by Alipay+ partners increasing 32 percent year-on-year.

Travelers want to save when they can, without compromising on experiencing local destinations.

Redemptions via A+ Rewards, an in-app marketing platform where travelers can browse local promotions and coupons, increased 57 percent.

Travelers are also spending more at local businesses, with transactions under $10 increasing 37 percent.

While hotspots within Europe like France, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom remain popular, destinations like Hungary, Greece and Norway saw the biggest growth in transactions, as travelers aim to explore new places while maximizing their budgets.

Travelers are also spending across more diverse travel scenarios beyond retail.

While transactions for attractions and F&B continue to see significant growth, spending on local services including beauty, medical and education have become one of the key aspects of travel.

For example, transactions for K-beauty services in South Korea surged 115 percent year-on-year.

In Malaysia, digital payments are opening doors for tourists to explore more authentic, homegrown experiences across the country, whether it’s enjoying street food at a hawker stall or visiting historic heritage sites.

This growing digital acceptance is benefitting businesses of all sizes, from neighborhood hawkers to major retail chains.

Travelers are also going around more independently, with transactions on ride-hailing platforms doubling, and those on public transport increasing close to 50 percent.

Alipay+ contributes more than 80 percent of inbound QR payments via DuitNow in Malaysia