Traveling in China Gets Easier with QR Payments via KTC Mobile App Spending Up 220%, Transactions Up Over 300%

This trend is consistent with the continued growth of inbound travel to China. According to Information published on official Chinese government website, China recorded more than 150 million inbound visits in 2025, an increase of over 17% from the previous year, while spending by inbound travelers through mobile payment platforms reached approximately RMB 80 billion (approximately THB 386 billion). The data underscores how payment convenience has become a key infrastructure for the modern tourism economy.

KTC data shows that in 2026, spending in China by KTC UNIONPAY credit cardmembers grew by more than 220% year-on-year, while the number of transactions increased by more than 300%. This reflects both the popularity of China among Thai travelers and a broader pattern of spending across the travel journey, including restaurants and beverages, shopping destinations, tourist attractions, and domestic transportation in China. Categories with notable growth included fashion, up 230%; restaurants, up 217%; and department stores, up 133%.

Mr. Tosapong Rangkawara, Head of Credit Card Marketing Division, "KTC" or Krungthai Card Public Company Limited, said KTC spending data indicates that travel to China is no longer limited to spending at large merchants such as department stores, hotels, or duty-free retailers. Spending now takes place throughout the journey, from restaurants and shopping destinations to tourist attractions and everyday purchases. Convenient and widely accepted payment channels are therefore playing an increasingly important role in the travel experience.

"In China, mobile payment is a mainstream behavior among both consumers and merchants. The addition of UnionPay QR Payment on KTC Mobile app strengthens payment readiness for KTC UNIONPAY credit cardmembers, especially those traveling to China. Members can pay conveniently, quickly, and more widely by scanning through the app, without needing to carry a physical credit card or large amounts of cash during their trip," Mr. Tosapong said.

The UnionPay QR Payment service on KTC Mobile app allows KTC UNIONPAY credit cardmembers to scan and pay instantly at merchants in China displaying the UnionPay QR, UnionPay APP, or Weixin Pay logos. The service covers a wide range of spending categories, including restaurants and beverages, hotels, tourist attractions, retail stores, shopping destinations, major merchants, and small local merchants, with no minimum spending requirement.

KTC is also offering special privileges for members traveling to China and other participating Asian destinations. KTC UNIONPAY credit cardmembers and KTC PROUD UNIONPAY cash cardmembers can receive 3% cashback when they register and meet the spending requirements at participating merchants in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan SAR from May 1 to August 31, 2026. Cashback is capped at 1,000 baht per member throughout the campaign period, subject to KTC's terms and conditions.

Mr. Tosapong added, "In today's tourism economy, growth is not measured only by the number of travelers, but also by their ability to spend conveniently during the trip. Broad payment acceptance is no longer merely an added service. It has become a key factor that helps members spend continuously, confidently, and conveniently throughout their journey.

For more information, please contact KTC PHONE 02 123 5000 or visit https://www.ktc.co.th. To apply for a KTC UNIONPAY credit card, click the link: https://www.ktc.co.th/apply/credit-card-une or visit any "KTC TOUCH" branches nationwide.

Credit card: Use when necessary and pay back full amount on time to avoid a 16% interest rate per annum.
Cardholders of "KTC PROUD" cash card: should borrow only what they need and can repay. Annual interest rate: 20-25%.

• ข่าวo:editor
• ข่าวo:trav
• ข่าวo:fin
• ข่าวo:loc
• ข่าวen