Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Tourism Malaysia and Alipay+, the unified wallet gateway of Ant International, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to embed an AI travel agent in the digital wallets used by international visitors to Malaysia. The agreement, signed in Kuala Lumpur, also aims to accelerate cross-border commerce and digitalise merchant engagement across the country’s tourism economy.
The agent, called Alipay+ Voyager, will surface Tourism Malaysia-verified cultural, culinary and experiential offerings tailored to individual interests, according to the partners. They describe it as a new digital channel for reaching international customers at the moment of discovery.
In addition, Tourism Malaysia will launch an AI-powered travel subsidy programme. Visitors will converse directly with the digital agent to unlock benefits for accommodation, transportation and attractions.
Alipay+ says Voyager also handles everyday tasks, such as giving visitors access to local ride-hailing services without downloading additional apps. The company adds that users receive triple protection covering timeout, no-shows and long waits.
The partnership arrives as Malaysia welcomes visitors for Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 (VM2026–2027). It combines Tourism Malaysia’s destination marketing with Alipay+’s global wallet ecosystem and AI capabilities.
Both organisations say the aim is to connect international travellers directly with local operators and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). They also expect the approach to distribute visitor spending beyond major hubs, in support of the campaign’s broader economic goals.
Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, said, “Digital technologies continue to reshape the way people plan and experience travel, and Tourism Malaysia remains committed to embracing innovative solutions that enhance visitor convenience and engagement.”
“This initiative makes it easier for travellers to discover Malaysia and access tourism-related benefits through a seamless digital journey, supporting our broader efforts under VM2026–2027 to strengthen Malaysia’s competitiveness as a smart tourism destination. By leveraging digital platforms with extensive international reach, we can engage travellers more effectively while showcasing Malaysia’s diverse tourism experiences to a wider global audience,” Rahim added.
The MoU builds on Alipay+’s existing activity in the Malaysian market, according to the company. In the first half of 2026, more than 600,000 merchants, primarily SMEs, received payments from Alipay+ partner wallets and bank apps, a year-on-year increase of over 70%.
Meanwhile, traveller spending via DuitNow rose by more than 60%, which Alipay+ says makes it the largest contributor to inbound QR transactions nationwide. Globally, the company connects over 2 billion user accounts with 150 million merchants across 210 destinations, operating through national schemes such as PayNet.
Mr Michael Guo, Alipay+ General Manager for Southeast Asia, South Asia and ANZ, Ant International, stated, “Cross-border commerce is evolving beyond the moment of payment. AI can now connect a traveller’s intent with the right destination, business and offer.”
“Through our collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, we are helping local businesses not only accept international payments, but also to actively engage global customers, creating more opportunities for Malaysian businesses, particularly SMEs, to participate in the growth of cross-border travel and commerce,” Guo concluded.
Under the MoU, Tourism Malaysia and Malaysian businesses will become visible directly within leading global e-wallets in the Alipay+ ecosystem. Voyager will also surface verified offerings to link travellers with businesses beyond major hubs, alongside personalised deals across the travel journey.
Separately, an exclusive campaign offering 20% savings via PayNet’s DuitNow will target small local shops. Tourism Malaysia says the initiatives are designed to build a connected, inclusive digital commerce ecosystem that extends beyond the VM2026–2027 campaign.
