Dusit Hotels and Resorts yesterday clinched a deal with Ksher and Asset Bright Plc to let Chinese guests pay their hotel bills via the mobile e-payment platform of WeChat Pay.
The move by Dusit, which is the first hotel group in Asean to introduce the e-payment service, is expected to draw more Chinese guests because WeChat Pay is a popular service developed in China.
Lim Boon Kwee, chief operating officer of Dusit Hotels & Resorts, said the new partnership will allow Chinese guests to pay their hotel bills by simply scanning a QR code.
Chinese travellers have been the main driver of tourism revenue in Thailand for a few years.
WeChat Pay is now accepted at all eight Dusit-owned hotels in Thailand: Dusit Thani Bangkok, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Dusit Thani Pattaya, Dusit Thani Hua Hin, Dusit Princess Korat, Dusit Princess Chiang Mai, Dusit Princess Srinakarin Bangkok, and dusitD2 Chiang Mai.
"We're looking at implementing the platform at our international properties in the near future," said Mr Lim.
Asset Bright and Ksher will jointly support WeChat Pay Thailand. Asset Bright will process all e-payments made via WeChat Pay at Dusit hotels in Thailand and Ksher will implement and maintain the WeChat Pay system, including providing online security and technical support.
The e-payment partnership between Dusit and WeChat Pay is authorised by the Bank of Thailand.
He said Chinese tourists have undoubtedly high potential and are increasingly significant to the Dusit business.
"It is important for the group to cater to their needs," said Mr Lim. "Implementing WeChat Pay for Chinese guests will allow them to benefit from favourable exchange rates and occasional exclusive promotions."
Last year Thailand welcomed 8.75 million Chinese tourists, making up 27% of total foreign travellers to Thailand, reported the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Donald Tang, vice-president of global business development at Ksher, said it will work together with Asset Bright to provide secure, stable and advanced mobile payment solutions designed for the convenience of Chinese travellers.
Major Thai merchandisers using WeChat Pay include King Power Duty-Free, Siam Niramit, All-Thai Taxi, Siam Wellness Group and Mezzo Coffee, as the Chinese are one of their major customer targets.
Premchai Kusolrerkdee, deputy managing director of Asset Bright, said the company is moving aggressively towards creating a cashless future, where transactions are made seamlessly online.
"E-payment services should be efficient for both consumers and Dusit, helping to usher in a cashless society in the future," Mr Premchai said.
WeChat Pay is part of China's largest mobile instant messaging app, WeChat, with over 1 billion active users.
Some 90% of stores in China's top-tier cities now accept WeChat Pay as a payment method, and the platform's reach is starting to expand globally.
Apart from its online marketing through WeChat, Dusit acquired a 9% stake last year in FavStay, a Thai online platform for rental accommodations.
FavStay is considered a Thai version of Airbnb, offering many types of accommodations ranging from condominiums to luxury villas. It has a central management centre to look after clients that face problems.
Dusit's strategy is to embrace online as part of its plan to grow in the global field.
Dusit International has expanded aggressively in the hotel chain management business in recent years.
The chain has strengthened its footprint overseas, increasing its revenue stream and reducing dependency on hotel operations in Thailand. The goal is to help Dusit achieve sustainable growth while maintaining Thai authenticity.
Dusit International manages 29 hotels in 17 countries including Thailand under four brands: Dusit Thani, dusitD2, Dusit Princess and Dusit Devarana. Dusit International is part of Dusit Thani Group, which specialises in hotel development and management.
The group has 46 new hotels in the pipeline, with most in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia, especially in China.
Among the first will be a joint venture in Kyoto, Japan, with Japan-based Colour International. It is expected to start construction soon.