Global Payments expands its Asia travel payments infrastructure to Thailand with Centara Hotels & Resorts partnership
Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN) has expanded its cross-border payment capabilities in Thailand through a landmark partnership with Centara Hotels & Resorts.
As Thailand's leading hotel operator and one of Asia's most recognised hospitality brands, Centara Hotels & Resorts offers more than 93 properties across 12 countries. The partnership will see Global Payments® power cross-border payment capabilities to support national and international visitation across Centara’s Thailand property estate. The Centara partnership mirrors Global Payments' broader Asia strategy to identify high-volume travel verticals where cross-border payment complexity hinders customer attraction and retention. This addition to Global Payments’ Thailand partner portfolio effectively completes a payments infrastructure that now spans the full international traveller journey, offering a seamless customer experience from flight booking to hotel check-in.
A new payment standard for Thailand’s growing tourism economy
In 2025 alone, Thailand welcomed 32.97 million international visitors, each arriving with different currencies and payment expectations shaped by their home markets. However, currency friction at checkout, limited support for international payment methods, and the complexity of settling funds across borders cost travel merchants in Thailand real revenue.
Whilst online travel agencies (OTAs) account for 69% of hotel bookings in ASEAN, industry research shows that nearly 35% of hotel bookings within Southeast Asia now come directly through hotel websites, indicating a preference for direct bookings. As travellers start bypassing OTAs in favour of better prices, flexible policies and loyalty benefits, having a seamless payment experience serves as a key differentiator. With cross-border spending demand continuing to grow, foreign exchange volatility and unexpected conversion rates are the speed bumps resulting in buyer hesitation at checkout. These factors are driving an increased desire for a customer journey that is localised and which rewards loyalty. Global Payments’ payments infrastructure enables Centara to own the checkout experience and provide a direct booking relationship with customers.
Global Payments' partnership with Centara delivers capabilities that address these expectations by enabling multicurrency pricing (MCP) across 153 currencies and 200 payment types, and by configuring reliable FX sources and rate locks.
Transactions on the new platform are expected to commence across Centara's Thailand properties in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Building Asia's travel payments backbone
Since entering the Thai market twelve months ago, Global Payments has established relationships with the country's leading carriers - and now its most prominent hotel group - creating a seamless, connected ecosystem that follows the international traveller from departure gate to hotel lobby.
Phil Pomford, executive lead, Enterprise APAC at Global Payments, said: “Travellers now expect to find their own currency, preferred payment method and a seamless checkout experience wherever they book. Addressing the same challenges faced by our global airline partners, we are proud to extend our proven cross-border solution to one of Asia's most respected hospitality brands.”
Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts, said: "Partnering with Global Payments allows us to deliver a seamless booking and payment experience that meets the expectations of today’s international travellers. By integrating multicurrency pricing and secure cross-border capabilities, we can strengthen direct relationships with our guests, enhance loyalty, and support Thailand’s tourism growth. This collaboration underscores Centara’s commitment to innovation and to providing world-class hospitality that begins the moment a guest books their stay."
Global Payments manages approximately $3.7 trillion in transactions annually across more than 175 countries, hundreds of payment types and currencies. Global Payments’ payments infrastructure will enable Centara to offer travellers – both regional and international - a seamless, localised booking experience... Continue reading (Members Only) - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here
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