Millennium Hotels and Resorts is partnering with digital payment platform Alipay, operated by Ant Financial Services Group, to give Chinese travelers the ability to book hotel rooms and pay for additional services through the payment platform.

 

Alipay’s more than 600 million Chinese users can now pay using the platform while visiting certain Millennium Hotels and Resorts properties in the U.S., including Millennium Broadway New York Times Square, The Premier Times Square by Millennium, The Bostonian Boston and Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles.

 

Alipay is China’s leading online payment provider and the primary means of online and mobile payments for Chinese consumers. Through the platform, users can pay for movie tickets, utility bills, in-store purchases and more. Beyond an improved payment experience, Alipay offers a sophisticated marketing channel. Through Alipay, the brand will be able to market to Chinese tourists before, during and after their visits, boosting exposure of their businesses among China’s rapidly expanding overseas visitors.

 

“We are pleased to partner with one of the premier global digital payment platforms to launch the service in New York, Boston and Los Angeles in an effort to make the travel experience as seamless as possible for guests,” said Howard Wu, president-North America and chief technology officer of Millennium Hotels and Resorts. “As a hospitality brand, we are always looking for ways to enhance the overall guest experience, and expect Alipay to be well received by Chinese travelers visiting key markets in the United States.”