Through this cooperation, Mastercard cardholders will be able to top off their Mobile Octopus with ease using the Octopus App for Tourists, which can be downloaded on iPhone or Apple Watch devices. Travellers can use Octopus contactless payments at more than 180,000 acceptance locations across the city when using Mastercard as their payment method. These locations cover a range of activities, including dining, shopping, entertainment, and transit.

Officials from Mastercard emphasised in the corporate press release how important the collaboration is to providing tourists with a smooth and easy experience in Hong Kong. They underlined Mastercard's dedication to facilitating trade between buyers and sellers throughout the world, with a focus on how this will help local companies, especially SMEs, by leveraging the flood of inbound tourists.

Octopus representatives, for their part, expressed excitement about seeing more tourists return to Hong Kong after the pandemic and giving them a comfortable way to make payments. They also emphasised how the alliance would help local communities, businesses, and tourists alike. More digital payment choices and a smooth travel experience are two ways that the partnership hopes to boost inbound spending and support the local economy.

The primary benefits for travellers

Essentially, the collaboration will enable Mastercard holders to experience Hong Kong like natives, embracing the cashless systems of the city. Mastercard representatives emphasised the partnership's contribution to the provision of easy and contactless payment choices for public transport, beginning at Hong Kong International Airport and extending beyond. In addition to enhancing the traveller experience, the partnership gives nearby SMEs the chance to reach a wider audience and interact with more customers.

Furthermore, foreign visitors to Hong Kong no longer need to activate their device or carry physical cards in order to utilise their Mobile Octopus on any MTR route. Additionally, a Top-Up Rebate Programme that offers cashback incentives for initial top-ups is accessible for tourists arriving from the Chinese Mainland.

According to the Mastercard Economics Institute's 2024 Economic Outlook, cross-border travel in the Asia Pacific area is gradually rebounding, which is in line with the partnership between Mastercard and Octopus. The collaborative endeavour is in line with Mastercard's Pay Like a Local campaign, which is a big step towards enabling easy transactions for visitors to Hong Kong.