PAYMAYA Philippines, Inc. said it increased the volume and amount of cashless transactions it processed in the first quarter of the year, driven by demand from traveling customers.
The mobile wallet arm of PLDT, Inc. said in a statement last week that travel-related expenses are among the most common use cases for cashless transactions, based on its data during the three-month period.
“PayMaya Business recorded a significant increase in the first quarter in terms of the number and amount of credit, debit, and prepaid card transactions it processed as the acquirer of top online commerce sites that offer travel services. Flag-carrier Philippine Airlines and one of the biggest online travel booking platforms in Asia, Agoda, earned the top 2 spots,” it said.
PayMaya noted travelers are among its top customers during the three-month period. Travelers used PayMaya to pay for airline tickets and accommodations.
“Many Filipinos are now discovering the added value of using PayMaya for their travel needs, because aside from enabling them to book that ‘Piso Sale’ deal or get the best travel accommodations, they are also able to seamlessly use it here and abroad wherever Visa or Mastercard is accepted,” PayMaya Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director Paolo Azzola said in the statement.
He noted that allowing customers to use the digital wallet outside the country without having to make advanced calls to activate the virtual or physical card is a demand driver for PayMaya, as it “provides not just convenience, but peace of mind.”
“[W]e are confident that we see continuous growth in travel-related transactions as we aggressively widen opportunities for consumers by giving them the means to make purchases with PayMaya…,” Mr. Azzola added.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Denise A. Valdez
