Starworld Hotel and Galaxy Arena Introduce Tencent’s Weixin Pay with Palm Recognition Technology

Wednesday, 11 September 2024, 09:00

Starworld Hotel and Galaxy Arena are embracing Tencent's Weixin Pay, allowing tourists to use palm payments in Macau. This milestone marks a significant advancement in payment technology in the region. With the launch across over 60 locations, Tencent aims to enhance the shopping experience for visitors and promote cross-border tourism.
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Starworld Hotel and Galaxy Arena Introduce Tencent’s Weixin Pay with Palm Recognition Technology

Introduction of Palm Payments in Macau

Tencent Holdings, the Chinese social media giant, has unveiled its palm-recognition technology in Macau, allowing mainland tourists to pay effortlessly using its WeChat Pay service. In an impressive start, the service will be available in over 60 shops and venues across renowned locations owned by Hong Kong’s Galaxy Entertainment Group, such as StarWorld Hotel, Galaxy Macau, Broadway Macau, and Galaxy Arena.

Advantages of Weixin Palm Pay

The launch of Weixin Palm Pay represents the first time this innovative payment technique will be accessible outside the mainland. As stated by Kai Xia, head of Weixin Pay hardware innovation, the technology is set to enhance user experiences by making transactions more convenient.

  • Users can activate palm payments through their mainland WeChat renminbi wallets.
  • The system utilizes surface-level palm prints and vein recognition for secure payments.

Expanding Technology Across Macau

Following a successful pilot in China, Tencent aims to broaden the scope of palm payments in Macau. The location is a prime destination for mainland tourists, with a significant 53% increase noted in traveler numbers during the first half of 2024.

  1. Enhanced payment experiences at Starworld Hotel and Galaxy Arena.
  2. Competition from other tech giants like Ant Group, which is working on similar innovations for Alipay.
  3. Amazon has also developed palm-scanning technology for retail markets.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Payments

With increasing interest in out-of-country travel and technological innovations, the future of palm payments in Macau looks promising. Enhancing travel experiences with secure, seamless payment options can potentially draw more visitors and boost the local economy.


This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.


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