Alipay officially announced its entry into Israel, the mobile payment service which can provide convenience for many Chinese tourists.

(Photo: Global Times)

Alipay said that famous jewelry stores Diamond Mines and Caprice and skincare brand AHAVA are the first to accept Alipay, allowing visitors to scan the QR code to pay with their phones. Besides, duty-free chain shop James Richardson and Israel Airlines El-Al will soon introduce Alipay service.

According to the latest statistics released by Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, the number of Chinese tourists traveling to Israel in 2017 has reached 123,000 for the first time, increasing by 45 percent since 2016.

Israeli Ministry of Tourism predicted that the number of Chinese tourists traveling to Israel would reach 200,000 within two or three years. According to statistics collected by Israeli Ministry of Tourism and Israel Chamber of Commerce in China, Chinese tourists stay in Israel for an average of nine days with an expenditure of $300 (1896 yuan) per person per day.

Reports on Alipay's entry in the Middle East by Israel Broadcasting Authority

Wang Li, Alipay regional director in Europe, the Middle East and Africa said Chinese tourists prefer the mobile payment service they are familiar with when traveling abroad. "Alipay is glad to cooperate with Israeli partners to provide better service for Chinese tourists."

Alipay has already covered 38 countries and districts including Europe, US, Japan, South Korea Southeast Asia and so on. People can use Alipay in restaurants, stores, duty-free shops, overseas airports, etc. Moreover, there are 24 countries which can provide tax rebate services to Alipay.

(Compiled by Lu Fangzhu)