China UnionPay has signed an agreement with CartaSi, Italy's largest payment service company, that will provide more convenience and safer payments to UnionPay card holders travelling in Italy. 

 

The number of Chinese tourists travelling to Italy has increased roughly 20 percent annually in recent years, reaching 500,000 in 2014. That figure is expected to hit a new high with the ongoing Milan Expo. Fifteen thousand merchants including stores, restaurants and tourist sites working with CartaSi will allow their customers to pay with UnionPay cards as part of the new deal.

 

Ge Huayong, Chairman of China UnionPay said:"UnionPay cards can be used in 150 countries in the world. Until now, we have issued more than 40 million cards in forty countries and regions. These cards can be accepted by 26 million merchants and 1.8 million Automatic Teller Machines worldwide. UnionPay has about 30 percent of market share in Europe. That will be expanded to 60 to 70 percent in a year or two."

 

China UnionPay was appointed as the official payment service company by the Chinese Pavilion at the Milan Expo. Visitors can use their UnionPay cards to withdraw cash from all of the ATMs inside the Expo Park and pay for food and services as well. Tourists can also enjoy discount shopping at some UnionPay partners in Milan, and save about 1 to 2 percent on currency exchange fees.