Visit Maldives supports Weixin Pay acceptance to welcome more Chinese tourists

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) and Weixin Pay signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the ITB China 2024.

The MoU was signed between Zihuny Rasheed, Deputy Managing Director of MMPRC and Etienne Ng, Weixin Pay's Country Manager, Singapore and Regional Director, Southeast Asia, WeChat Pay.

Through the agreement, MMPRC pledges to support more Maldives merchants to accept payments made via Weixin Pay, which is aimed at providing a convenient payment experience for Chinese tourists.

"China is a key source of tourists for the Maldives, and we greatly value the experience of Chinese visitors," Zihuny said.

"We plan on promoting the acceptance of Weixin Pay throughout the country, offering Chinese tourists the payment option they were familiar with and prefer."

The Minister of Tourism, Ibrahim Faisal, expressed his support to the strategic partnership as well, and said he was "Excited that we're introducing Weixin Pay for Chinese visitors, which is another step in establishing Maldives as their top destination."

As per Etienne, Weixin Pay is currently being piloted at the country's airport duty-free store, and in popular restaurants like Sala Thai and City Garden.

Other resorts and properties taking part in accepting Weixin Pay include;

• JEN Maldives Male' by Shangri-La
• Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi
• Adaaran Club Rannalhi
• Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
• Adaaran Prestige Water Villas
• Velaa Private Island
• Cheval Blanc Randheli Private Island
• Dhawa Ihuru Maldives
• Ayada Maldives
• Marriott Bonvoy
• Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
• Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
• Angsana Velavaru and Angsana Ihuru

Besides this, the payment option will receive strong support from Bank of Maldives and local merchants, according to Etienne.

"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," he said.

Earlier in February 2023, an agreement on visa exemption was signed between the Maldives and China, which was in line with China's expansion of its visa-free policy to benefit more countries.

China, a key source market to the Maldives, reclaimed its top spot in 2024 with over 95,000 arrivals as per May 22, 2024.