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.

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