The European Travel Commission and Mastercard have introduced an ICBC co-branded credit card to enhance payment experiences for Chinese tourists visiting Europe.

This partnership brings together the cross-border financial expertise of ICBC, the destination network of ETC, and the global acceptance infrastructure of Mastercard, ensuring seamless access to payments in various European markets.

Enhancing Cross-Border Travel Payments

The card is intended to simplify payments for transportation, accommodation, dining, and cultural activities throughout Europe. It targets Chinese tourists whose travel demands are on the rise as international tourism recovers, with Europe expecting 793 million international visitors in 2025.

This collaboration aims to provide practical payment solutions for Chinese travelers navigating multiple European destinations while promoting everyday transactions through Mastercard’s global network. This aligns with the steady growth of experience-driven travel from China since Q3 2024, where travelers are spending more on transport, dining, and entertainment rather than shopping.

The institutions will also ensure a smooth and secure journey for tourists, unlocking valuable experiences across Europe. Their commitment is to foster human-centered cross-border travel and create meaningful moments for everyone involved.

Through this initiative, ICBC, ETC, and Mastercard aim to build cross-border payment infrastructure between China and Europe, catering to leisure, business trips, extended stays for study or family visits. They will continue their collaboration on promoting tourism and payments while adhering to regulatory standards and user requirements.