SHANGHAI, April 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- With China's Qing Ming Festival Holiday approaching, many Chinese tourists prefer to take their annual leave before or after the holiday so as to enjoy an extra-long holiday. And short-distance traveling is preferred in particular with over 70% of outbound travel bookings being to destinations near China.

Chinese tourists are now able to pay with UnionPay cards in 168 countries and regions. UnionPay International is offering exclusive discounts and privileges for cardholders who travel during this Holiday. The campaign covers 15 popular destinations in Asia, as well as destinations in Europe, America and Australia. Tourists from mainland China may download the "UnionPay" app to enjoy safe and smooth mobile payment experiences and get UnionPay discount information before and during the trip.

Over 150 well-known merchants in Asia provide exclusive offers

UnionPay International provides exclusive offers for UnionPay cards at selected short-distanced travel destinations, covering over 150 well-known merchant locations across Japan, Thailand, Singapore and Southeast Asia. These merchants include Michelin-starred restaurants, landmark shopping centers, duty-free shops and other types of merchants.

Travelers who plan to enjoy a longer holiday in Europe, America or Australia may enjoy UnionPay discounts too. Merchants offering UnionPay discounts cover a range of different types, including Macy's in the US, La Rinascente in Milan and Cafe Pushkin in Russia.

Moreover, more than 300,000 merchants in 38 overseas countries and regions support tax refund with UnionPay cards.

"UnionPay" app facilitates free-and-independent travel

With the increasing popularity of free-and-independent travel, Chinese tourists are looking forward to getting multiple travel services via mobile terminals. In response to this trend, UnionPay International is expanding the acceptance scope of the "UnionPay" app outside mainland China. Meanwhile, UnionPay International is collaborating with various travel-related apps to provide accurate card-using discounts and services for cardholders.

Now, UnionPay cardholders can easily activate mobile contactless payment function via the "UnionPay" app, and then pay at over a million POS terminals outside the Chinese Mainland by tapping mobile phones, or pay by scanning UnionPay QR codes at merchants in 13 countries and regions. Cardholders also have access to tailored and real-time card-using and discounts information, such as card-using tips and merchant discounts in 168 countries and regions, U Plan e-coupons, tax refund progress and real-time exchange rates.