Ant launches Alipay+ Voyager, an AI travel tool in e-wallets
Ant International has launched Alipay+ Voyager, an artificial intelligence-driven travel companion built into digital wallets, with initial support from travel platforms including Agoda, Fliggy and Trip.com.
The service incorporates AI capabilities developed by Ant International and aims to streamline itinerary planning, booking travel, and making in-destination purchases through a single AI-powered interface available in users' local languages.
Alipay+ Voyager is being made available first within three of Asia's largest e-wallets: Alipay (Chinese mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), and GCash (the Philippines), with plans to introduce the solution to more wallets throughout 2025. The platform is designed to assist travellers globally, including those from Australia, with the objective of simplifying the entire travel process using familiar digital payment and super app solutions.
The system enables users to plan and book trips, manage activity bookings, and make payments for local services directly from their digital wallet. Integration with over 100 million merchants in the Alipay+ ecosystem promises broad acceptance and support for purchases abroad.
Australian travellers are among those who can expect a more seamless travel experience, with itinerary planning, research, and booking—covering flights, accommodation, and activities—consolidated into one interface. The AI assistant can also help users navigate local purchases and payments using text or voice commands in their language.
Global trends in travel show an ongoing increase in the use of mobile devices, with mobile already accounting for two-thirds of online travel traffic. Research indicates the online travel market is anticipated to grow by 10% annually through 2032. Younger travellers, including those in the Gen Z demographic, are seeking personalisation and hyperlocal experiences, often accessed through all-in-one mobile platforms.
The expansion of Alipay+ beyond cross-border payments to offer agentic AI capabilities reflects broader industry shifts towards digital solutions that encompass travel planning, booking, and spending. Alipay+ Voyager aims to support both consumers and merchants by simplifying these processes within digital wallets.
Among the central features highlighted at launch are intelligent end-to-end travel assistance, real-time connections to localised services such as public transport and dining, and proactive service curation. The AI platform is designed to anticipate users' preferences, provide relevant options in real time, and assist with issues such as flight delays or changes in conditions.
For merchants and online travel agents (OTAs), the deployment across multiple major wallets can open access to large and diverse consumer markets through a single integration. The company states that its approach allows tailored engagement with travellers across every stage of their journey, while also supporting small and medium-sized businesses with digital tools for efficiency and growth.
Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, said:
Travellers today are using more tech to enhance their trips, and there is a need for the industry to adapt and meet these new and emerging expectations. By integrating a proactive, always-on AI travel companion within digital wallets that consumers already use frequently, we're empowering travel and wallet partners with new opportunities to engage travellers in a more relevant, personalised way, through every step of their journey.
Gil Hazan, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Agoda, commented:
At Agoda, we are committed to making travel more accessible and seamless for everyone. By integrating our extensive supply network as one of Asia's leading online travel platforms with Alipay+ Voyager's expansive wallet partnerships, we can offer travellers a more convenient and personalized booking experience. This collaboration enables us to reach a broader audience and provide tailored travel solutions that cater to the diverse needs of today's travellers.
Ant International's Alipay+ Wallet Tech team has been collaborating with partners since 2015 to develop digital payment and security solutions. The company indicated intentions to build further agentic AI suites to serve different industries via its Alipay+ GenAI Cockpit platform. The ongoing expansion of Alipay+ Voyager to additional partners is expected throughout 2025, increasing its relevance for outbound travellers worldwide.