UnionPay has seen its transaction volumes in Europe increase significantly over the last twelve months, the result of a long term strategy to increase the number of European merchants accepting UnionPay cards. The strategy has been designed to meet the requirements of both the growing number of Chinese outbound tourists visiting Europe, and European consumers with UnionPay cards.

UnionPay has prioritised a number of key sectors including hotel and catering, travel and transport (including public transportation) and Retail, as well as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in accepting UnionPay payments.

Wei Zhihong, UnionPay International’s Market Director and Head of its European Branch said: “The last twelve months have seen significant progress for UnionPay in Europe in both transaction volumes and acceptance and we are delighted to be building on this success with a new partnership with 3C Payment. We have the largest card base in the world and we want to ensure that both European merchants and card issuers are able to benefit from our scale and the innovations we offer.”

“Through this strategic partnership with the major card scheme, 3C Payment is recognised as a key Payment Service Provider in the global market. We are proud to accompany UnionPay in their European expansion and allow our customers to enable payment with UnionPay brands.” said Damien Estrade Head of Strategic Partners Management of 3C Payment.

According to the latest figures of the European Travel Commission, Chinese tourists continue to put Europe at the top of their favourite destinations. Over the course of 2018, the top three EU destinations in terms of volume of Chinese arrivals were the UK (+2.4%), Germany (+2.6%) and France (+7.7%). The three most growing destinations were Croatia (+45.7%), Estonia (+35.8%) and Hungary (+25.1%). Forward bookings also look robust. Chinese bookings to the EU for the first four months of 2019 are 16.9% ahead of where they were at the end of 2017. This compares very favourably to the global trend, which is 9.3% ahead.

“This new partnership represents a significant opportunity for the merchants to offer multiple payment options and to attract many millions of UnionPay cardholders, whether they are based in Europe or visiting from overseas,” concluded Damien Estrade.

About UnionPay International

UnionPay is a global card scheme that provides high quality, cost effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world’s largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants. In partnership with more than 2000 institutions worldwide. UnionPay has enabled card acceptance in 174 countries and regions with over 7.5 billion cards issued in 52 countries and regions. In Europe, UnionPay is now accepted by more than 3.3 million merchants in 40 

UnionPay has seen its transaction volumes in Europe increase significantly over the last twelve months, the result of a long term strategy to increase the number of European merchants accepting UnionPay cards. The strategy has been designed to meet the requirements of both the growing number of Chinese outbound tourists visiting Europe, and European consumers with UnionPay cards.

UnionPay has prioritised a number of key sectors including hotel and catering, travel and transport (including public transportation) and Retail, as well as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in accepting UnionPay payments.

Wei Zhihong, UnionPay International’s Market Director and Head of its European Branch said: “The last twelve months have seen significant progress for UnionPay in Europe in both transaction volumes and acceptance and we are delighted to be building on this success with a new partnership with 3C Payment. We have the largest card base in the world and we want to ensure that both European merchants and card issuers are able to benefit from our scale and the innovations we offer.”

“Through this strategic partnership with the major card scheme, 3C Payment is recognised as a key Payment Service Provider in the global market. We are proud to accompany UnionPay in their European expansion and allow our customers to enable payment with UnionPay brands.” said Damien Estrade Head of Strategic Partners Management of 3C Payment.

According to the latest figures of the European Travel Commission, Chinese tourists continue to put Europe at the top of their favourite destinations. Over the course of 2018, the top three EU destinations in terms of volume of Chinese arrivals were the UK (+2.4%), Germany (+2.6%) and France (+7.7%). The three most growing destinations were Croatia (+45.7%), Estonia (+35.8%) and Hungary (+25.1%). Forward bookings also look robust. Chinese bookings to the EU for the first four months of 2019 are 16.9% ahead of where they were at the end of 2017. This compares very favourably to the global trend, which is 9.3% ahead.

“This new partnership represents a significant opportunity for the merchants to offer multiple payment options and to attract many millions of UnionPay cardholders, whether they are based in Europe or visiting from overseas,” concluded Damien Estrade.