BML, Weixin Pay, Visit Maldives partner to strengthen digital payments for tourism sector

Bank of Maldives (BML) has signed two agreements with Weixin Pay and Visit Maldives Corporation aimed at strengthening digital payment solutions and supporting the continued growth of the Maldivian tourism industry, with a particular focus on the Chinese market.

The tripartite memorandum of understanding between BML, Weixin Pay and Visit Maldives Corporation establishes a framework for collaboration on initiatives related to marketing, visitor engagement and digital innovation. The partnership is intended to enhance the overall travel experience in the Maldives while supporting destination promotion efforts led by Visit Maldives, especially among Chinese travellers, one of the country’s largest inbound markets.

As part of the collaboration, BML and Weixin Pay will also explore the introduction of advanced payment technologies, including palm recognition and other seamless payment solutions. These initiatives are expected to improve payment accessibility and interoperability for local merchants, including resorts, hotels and tourism service providers, while aligning the Maldives with global trends in digital payments.

The agreements were accompanied by a dedicated Weixin Pay Ecosystem Sharing Session hosted by BML and Weixin Pay for leading Maldivian resorts. The session focused on practical ways for resorts to engage more effectively with Chinese guests by integrating Weixin Pay into their operations. Participants were briefed on how the Weixin Pay ecosystem can support seamless transactions, enhance service delivery and improve the overall guest experience.

BML’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mohamed Shareef, said the partnerships reflect the bank’s commitment to supporting tourism through secure and innovative payment solutions. He noted that technologies such as biometric and seamless payments can help merchants meet the expectations of international visitors while contributing to the broader development of the tourism sector.

Bank of Maldives currently supports payment processing across major international credit and debit card networks, as well as leading digital wallets. Through its Merchant Portal and mPOS App, the bank provides tourism businesses with tools to manage online payments, generate real-time payment requests and monitor transactions efficiently.

The collaboration with Weixin Pay and Visit Maldives is expected to further strengthen the Maldives’ position as a digitally ready destination, while supporting resorts and tourism operators in catering to the needs of an increasingly digital and connected visitor base.