Alipay makes a difference for Weta Workshop
Just 15 minutes after going live with Alipay, Weta Workshop was processing its first transaction through the global super app.
Weta Studio Tours became an Alipay merchant in January 2018.
They are now one of hundreds of New Zealand operators signed on to Alipay, through a Christchurch Airport-lead project.
Weta Workshop manager strategic projects and retail Ian Phillips said the move to Alipay was part of a wider initiative to grow visits from the Chinese domestic and international market.
“We wanted to make it easier for Chinese to visit us so we thought ‘this has to be an initiative for us’.”
Phillips said there were numerous benefits to joining Alipay, which is a valuable marketing tool for merchants.
“We saw immediately, within the first 15 minutes of going live, that it was a familiar payment channel for Chinese users. They use Alipay like we use Mastercard and Visa.”
Phillips said setting up Alipay within the retail arm of the business was very easy.
“It makes us a visitor friendly destination. It’s convenient and familiar for users and we want to make it easy for people, wherever they’re from, to come in and enjoy our tours.”
Phillips estimates Weta processes ten plus Alipay transactions a day during peak season, and 20 to 30 in a week in the off season.
“It’s certainly makes us attractive to more Chinese visitors and they’re certainly pleased when they see we accept Alipay. We’re delighted.”
