Global Payments expands Thailand travel network with Centara

Global Payments has partnered with Centara Hotels & Resorts to provide cross-border payments across the hotel group's Thailand estate, extending its travel payments network in the country.

Centara operates more than 92 properties across 10 countries, and the agreement covers its hotels in Thailand. The arrangement is intended to support domestic and international visitors as hotels manage a wide range of currencies and payment preferences.

Thailand's tourism market provides the backdrop to the move. The country welcomed 32.97 million international visitors in 2025, according to Global Payments, while travel businesses have faced lost sales linked to currency conversion issues, limited support for overseas payment methods and the difficulty of settling funds across borders.

The partnership also reflects a shift in how travellers book accommodation. Online travel agencies account for 69% of hotel bookings in ASEAN, but Global Payments cited industry research showing that nearly 35% of hotel bookings within Southeast Asia now come directly through hotel websites, as travellers seek better prices, more flexible policies and loyalty benefits.

That trend has increased pressure on hotel operators to improve payments on their own sites. Foreign exchange volatility and unexpected conversion rates can deter customers at checkout, particularly in cross-border transactions where buyers want familiar payment options and prices in their own currency.

Under the new arrangement, Global Payments will provide multicurrency pricing in 153 currencies and support 200 payment types. It will also configure foreign exchange sources and rate locks for Centara's Thailand properties.

Transactions on the platform are expected to begin across those hotels in the fourth quarter of 2026. The tie-up also adds the hotel segment to payment relationships Global Payments has already established with airlines in Thailand, extending its reach across more of the traveller journey.

Travel focus

Global Payments has been expanding its travel business in Asia by targeting sectors where cross-border payments are more complex. In Thailand, that strategy has focused on high-volume travel categories where payment issues can affect customer acquisition and retention.

With Centara added to its local partner base, Global Payments says its payments network in Thailand now stretches from flight bookings to hotel stays. That gives the group a broader role in the tourism sector as it seeks to handle spending by international travellers from departure through to accommodation check-in.

Global Payments manages about $3.7 trillion in transactions each year across more than 175 countries, according to the company. It works across hundreds of payment types and currencies, giving it a broad footprint in international commerce.

Centara is one of Thailand's best-known hotel operators, with a portfolio spanning domestic destinations as well as markets including the Maldives, Vietnam, Japan, Nepal, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. Its brands range from luxury and upscale properties to more affordable lifestyle hotels.

Shifts in booking patterns have increased the importance of direct payment systems for hotel groups. As travellers increasingly bypass third-party travel agents in favour of booking direct, the checkout process becomes more central to whether a hotel can win and retain business online.

Phil Pomford, Executive Lead, Enterprise APAC, 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."

"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," said Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer, Centara Hotels & Resorts.