In the news this week: China’s UnionPay’s on Amadeus Payment Platform, Abacus BSP air ticketing in China, top overseas destination for Singaporean travellers according to Hotels.com
UnionPay, world’s largest payment card scheme, integrates with Amadeus Payment Platform
Chinese travellers can pay with their preferred payment card when overseas. / Image credit: UnionPay
UnionPay International, a subsidiary of China UnionPay, and Amadeus recently inked a deal, which ssee the integration of UnionPay debit and credit cards into the Amadeus Payment Platform (APP).
Amadeus travel providers, including airlines and online travel agencies worldwide, can now offer China’s preferred card as an online payment option directly via the APP across over 140 countries where UnionPay is accepted.
Chinese travellers will now find it easier to travel overseas as they pay with their preferred payment card, allowing travel providers to gain a strong foothold into Chinese outbound and domestic tourism.
Larry Wang, chief business development officer of UnionPay International, said the initiative would boost Chinese tourists’ outbound trips as they look to discover new destinations.
Celia Pereiro, head of Amadeus travel payments, added that the partnership with UnionPay cemented the company’s commitment to the booming Chinese tourism market and beyond. “The combination of our global reach with UnionPay’s considerable share of the e-commerce market will offer the perfect solution to our customers as they look to expand their business in China.”
UnionPay is the largest card scheme worldwide with over 4.3 billion cards in circulation, supporting every major Chinese consumer bank. Last year, the payment made by outbound Chinese tourists via UnionPay’s network accounted for 80% of the total.
APP, used by over 300 airlines worldwide, ensures a fast and easy payment process to all its travel provider users, as authorisation is integrated in the ticketing and selling flow. It also offers travel tailored functionalities, which provide a secure payment environment to both travellers and travel providers
• Featured image credit: UnionPay
Abacus opens first airline distribution channel in China
New airline distribution channel opens in China
Abacus has become the first foreign global distribution system to issue air tickets using its innovative technology customised for China, This comes on the heels of the company receiving the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) certification in June this year,
With a network of mainland travel agents in place, Abacus has secured a new channel for airlines to access this vast and expanding outbound market.
Flights from Beijing with Etihad Airways were chosen from among four initial carriers available for Abacus travel agents to book from China. It is one of the 25 airlines joining Abacus in meeting demand from the expanding mainland distribution grid.
Abacus saidtThe content and fares of many more foreign airlines would soon be added for the benefit of those familiar with its systems, which are deployed at over 20,000 locations across the Asia Pacific region.
Beijing China Travel Air Transportation Company Limited (CTBA) issued the inaugural tickets using the GDS desktop system, Abacus WorkSpace.
Robert Bailey, Abacus president and CEO. said, “There is space for a complementary foreign distribution platform and we are encouraged by the level of interest among international aviation brands and local agents, especially now that Abacus has shown that BSP compliant transactions are happening.”
Hong Kong’s top overseas destination for Singapore travellers
Vibrant Hnng Kong is tops with Singapore travellers
Hong Kong has dislodged Thailand as the most popular destination abroad for Singaporeans according to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI), which revealed the fast emerging travel habits of globetrotters worldwide in the first six months of 2014, compared to the same period last year.
Despite the recent imposition of a nationwide curfew, Bangkok is still proving to be a destination hotspot for Singapore travellers, with the capital city falling just one spot to become the second most popular overseas destination.
The findings also revealed vast opportunities across Thailand’s wide array of beach resorts, as tourists increasingly opt for beach getaways away from the capital. For the first time, Krabi entered the Top 20 list at the 19th position.
Tokyo experienced the biggest fall in the Top 10 list, taking a three-step tumble from third position to sixth. Taking its place was Taipei and Seoul, which rose one and two spots respectively to inch their way into the Top 5 destinations for travellers from Singapore.
The results also showed that Penang experienced the greatest jump within the list, leaping four spots to enter Top 10 (see chart below).
Katherine Cole, regional director, ANZ & Singapore for Hotels.com, said Penang, with its heritage attractions and its local food, appeals to Singapore travellers over the past year as a short-haul destination and a place to escape to for long weekends.
“Looking ahead, we expect Taipei and Seoul to maintain their positions as top overseas destinations for travellers from Singapore, especially as these cities continue with their aggressive marketing initiatives,” she added.
• The results were based on bookings made on Hotels.com site.
Top overseas destinations for travellers from Singapore
