In the news: Alipay tax refund scheme launches in Singapore; Asian airlines uses technology in international expansion; BCD Travel in new deal with Amadeus
FINANCIAL SERVICES: Alipay rolls out tax refund service in Singapore, a first for Southeast Asia
Getting refunds for shopping in Singapore easier with Alipay’s new service (Image credit: mtmphoto/iStock-Getty Images)
Singapore is the first country in Southeast Asia to offer the Alipay tax refund scheme, which allows Chinese visitors to the city-state to seamlessly claim refunds and have them deposited directly into their Alipay accounts after completing all procedures at the airport.
This scheme has been implemented in 20 countries worldwide including South Korea and Germany.
The refund service in Singapore is made possible through a partnership between mobile and online payment platform Alipay, which is operated by Ant Financial Services Group, and Global Tax Free following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two companies last September.
Global Tax Free is a South Korean tax refund company set up in 2005, and its service was launched in Singapore in 2014.
The Alipay service covers 2,000 brands and merchants in Singapore under the Electronic Tourists Refund Scheme (eTRS). The latter is a government scheme that connects multiple Central Refund Agencies and retailers on a single platform, offering tourists a hassle-free experience when they seek refunds for the Goods & Services Tax (GST) paid before leaving Singapore.
Global Tax Free said the new tax refund service is quick and easy to use and offers a shorter waiting time over credit card refund, which requires a lead time of up to 10 days. Travellers just need to follow four steps:
- Process the claim at the eTRS self-help kiosks and select cash refund
- Proceed to a refund counter at the departure transit lounge where they produce an Alipay QR code from the app.
- Confirm and acknowledge Alipay account details.
- The user receives a notification in Alipay, and the tax refund in Chinese Yuan is processed immediately.
“The new tax refund service is a natural extension of our offering as a smart lifestyle platform for consumers and Chinese travellers. Alipay’s ecosystem of merchants covers shopping, dining, attraction, transportation and entertainment,” said Cherry Huang, general manager, cross-border business for South and Southeast Asia, Alipay.
The service would also offer greater convenience and better shopping experience to Chinese travellers to the city-state, she added.
Kelvin Poh, country commercial head of Global Tax Free, noted that the partnership with Alipay would better address the needs of users and retailers. “Shoppers are encouraged to choose Singapore as their preferred travel destination for shopping, while retailers can attract and retain new and loyal shoppers through this new system.”
Ranita Sundra, director, attractions, dining & retail at the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), which welcomed the move, believes “Chinese shoppers who are frequent users of digital payment systems would have a more seamless and enjoyable shopping experience in Singapore.”
STB hopes the new service will attract more Chinese tourists to Singapore, and China is one of its key markets for tourism. Statistics from the NTO showed 2.86 million Chinese travellers visited the nation in 2016, contributing S$3.5 billion (US$2.7 billion) in tourism receipts, of which 43% was from shopping.
AVIATION: Asian airlines are relying on technology to grow international routes
China Sourthern Airlines expanding internationally
Two big players in Asia’s aviation industry – China Southern Airlines and South Korea’s largest low cost carrier Jeju Air – are using technology to fuel international expansion, with both inking agreements with Sabre to avail of its solutions.
The Guangzhou-based China Southern will use to Sabre’s Market Intelligence with Global Demand Data (GDD) solution, which Sabre said would enable the airline “to maximise revenue and improve network expansion efficiency while also driving a competitive advantage.”
With the implementation of the solution China Southern has access to market data that helps in commercial planning process across departments such as network planning, scheduling, revenue management and sales.
The airline, the largest carrier in China as measured by passengers boarded, has a long-standing partnership with Sabre. It was the first to introduce the concept of System Operations Control (SOC) in 1996 to provide solutions such as movement control, flight plan and crew management across the carrier’s entire operations. It has also selected Sabre’s Fare Manager solution to manage their fares in all channels.
In a related statement, Sabre announced its renewal of its agreement with Jeju Air that allows travel agents connected to the Sabre Travel Network to have access to the airline’s content.
Sabre said by using its platform Jeju Air “has the flexibility to do business the way they need, enabling them to adapt their business to meet changing requirements and to incorporate new innovations more efficiently.”
The low cost carrier currently has over 20 routes in Asia, and is expanding into new markets such as Russia.
DISTRIBUTION: BCD Travel strengthens relationship with Amadeus in new deal
More travel content for BCD’s clients (Image credit: shutter_m/iStock-Getty Images)
BCD Travel has renewed its multi-year distribution agreement with Amadeus, opening the door to more of the IT technology provider’s extensive travel content.
Clients of the global corporate management company operating across 23 countries around the globe will benefit from cutting edge technology including Selling Platform Connect, Amadeus Ticket Changer and Amadeus Master Pricer.
Rose Stratford, EVP, global supplier relations & strategic sourcing at BCD Travel, said working with Amadeus enabled the company to bring the “best service and most extensive choice” to its customers.
“Amadeus’ support continues to be a crucial part of our growth strategy in coming years,” he added.
• Featured image credit: asiandelight/iStock-GettyImages
