Airlines can take control of the payments experience for both direct and in-direct channels

Move improves cashflow and loyalty for airlines by directly processing UnionPay cards

SHANGHAI, March 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — According to ResearchAndMarkets’ recent forecasts, Chinese outbound travel is predicted to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.5%, increasing from $140B today to reach $386B by 2033. UnionPay International helps cardholders to easily make cross-border payments in 183 markets and its payment methods are particularly popular with travelers across Asia Pacific. That’s why being able to directly accept UnionPay cards is crucial for airlines serving travelers from the 85 countries and regions where UnionPay cards are issued.

Under the terms of a new partnership between Outpayce from Amadeus and UnionPay International, airlines that power online payments in their direct channels with Outpayce’s Xchange Payments Platform can natively accept UnionPay cards in the standardized way. This native acceptance secures more revenue for airlines while improving the payment experience for travelers by drastically increasing acceptance rates.

The Amadeus Travel Platform is a comprehensive marketplace connecting travel providers like airlines, hotels, car rentals and rail operators to more than 60,000 travel sellers so they can combine and retail attractive offers. Thanks to the new partnership, travelers wishing to pay with a UnionPay card can be passed through to the provider to pay directly when making a booking.

The new approach means travelers can access the same payments experience as an airline offers on its website, including access to loyalty benefits that depend on making payment directly with the airline.

By directly processing the payment, airlines improve cash flow by accessing funds faster and can also take control of the payments experience for indirect bookings. By applying their own approach to issues like fraud management, airlines can improve acceptance rates and deliver a better overall experience.

Bomme Sheng, Global Director of UnionPay International said: “UnionPay has established a solid presence in the airline payment vertical. By deepening cooperation with Amadeus, UnionPay cards will be fully integrated into the underlying technology of airline distribution, covering websites, and indirect channels. This will further refine UnionPay’s air travel payment ecosystem and promote the industry to upgrade towards greater efficiency and diversity.”

Damian Alonso, Head of Product and Partnerships, Outpayce said: “We are committed to enabling a smooth payment experience in every channel however the traveler chooses to pay. Our payment platform approach means travelers can pay with the method of their choice in a way that’s easy and trusted. Airlines can now offer the same payments experience to UnionPay cardholders whether they are shopping via Amadeus travel sellers or in their own direct channels, maximizing investments in payments and improving the overall experience.”

The addition of card acceptance for UnionPay means that travelers can pay travel providers directly with all major card schemes when their booking is completed via the Amadeus Travel Platform. Native acceptance of UnionPay cards via the Outpayce Exchange Payments Platform is expected to be enabled in H1 2026 and will be enabled gradually across different markets throughout 2026 within the Amadeus Travel Platform.

Notes to the editors:

About UnionPay International

UnionPay International (UPI) is dedicated to expanding UnionPay’s global network and building seamless cross-border payment experiences. In partnership with over 2,600 partners worldwide, UPI enables card acceptance in 183 countries and regions with issuance in 85 countries and regions. UnionPay International provides high quality, cost effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world’s largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants.

About Outpayce

Amadeus makes the experience of travel better for everyone, everywhere by inspiring innovation, partnerships and responsibility to people, places and planet. As a wholly-owned company, Outpayce from Amadeus is the next step in scaling the Amadeus payments business with fresh investment in talent, an open API platform and a license to deliver new regulated payment services.

Outpayce delivers smoother end-to-end travel experiences making travel payments simple. Our open platform connects FinTech and banking service providers to the entire travel ecosystem, allowing customers and travelers to easily benefit from new advances in payments.

Outpayce Xchange Payment Platform (XPP) solves challenges in areas like authentication, acceptance and foreign exchange (FX) for travel merchants and gives access to partners that resolve areas like fraud management and authentication to offer a smoother overall experience for the traveler. 

In the B2B payments space, Outpayce orchestrates payments with a range of virtual cards, currencies and payment methods to optimize cost, acceptance and agility wherever a travel seller needs to pay a supplier.

Outpayce delivers an end-to-end experience by continuing to work with all Amadeus’ teams and embedding its capabilities in all of Amadeus’ applications. The future is travel simply paid. 

To find out more about Outpayce, visit www.outpayce.com.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As Malaysia commemorates National Rare Disease Day and marks the launch of the National Policy for Rare Diseases, long-term, sustainable care for individuals living with rare, complex genetic conditions is now gaining growing attention and interest from across public and private stakeholders.

Among the critical components of long-term care for certain rare genetic metabolic disorders is specialised nutrition, which is often a therapeutic necessity, rather than a dietary or lifestyle preference for many patients.

For individuals diagnosed with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM), strict dietary management forms part of lifelong treatment. These patients often require carefully calibrated specialised nutritional formulations to prevent metabolic complications, as these conditions could impair the body’s ability to process certain nutrients.

Therefore, securing stable, reliable access to specialised nutrition is vital for more resilient care management of rare disease patients.

When Nutrition Becomes Essential Support

Unlike conventional dietary support, specialised nutrition for rare metabolic diseases is designed to meet highly specific biochemical requirements. Even minor disruptions in availability can affect disease management, particularly for paediatric patients whose growth and neurological development depend on precise dietary control.

According to Dr Ngu Lock Hock, Clinical Genetics Consultant and Head of the Genetics Department of Hospital Kuala Lumpur, patients with genetic metabolic disorders in Malaysia have historically depended heavily on imported specialised nutrition products.

“Many metabolic formulas and specialised dietary substitutes were sourced from overseas manufacturers. While they provided clinically necessary support, dependence on imports meant exposure to both supply vulnerabilities and higher costs,” he said.

Imported formulations are often subject to currency fluctuations, transportation expenses, and international production constraints, and geopolitical tensions, all of which can contribute to an increased financial burden for families and healthcare institutions.

In addition, disruptions in global manufacturing or shipping logistics could further create uncertainty for caregivers managing lifelong conditions, complicating long-term care planning and continuity of support.

“In metabolic care, consistency is critical. Any interruption in access to specialised nutrition,  whether due to supply delays or affordability challenges, creates stress for caregivers and potential clinical risk for patients,” he added.

Addressing Supply Vulnerability and Building Local Production Capacity

Malaysia’s reliance on imported specialised metabolic nutrition has reflected global patterns, where specialised formulations are often concentrated among a small number of international producers.

However, recent global supply chain disruptions have highlighted the need for stronger domestic resilience in essential healthcare components. While pharmaceutical supply security is frequently discussed, specialised nutrition, particularly for rare genetic metabolic disorders, remains much less visible in healthcare ecosystem resilience conversations.

The recently launched National Policy for Rare Diseases in Malaysia now provides a structured roadmap for strengthening Malaysia’s rare disease healthcare ecosystem, including improving access to essential services and long-term support. Within this context, building local production capacity in specialised metabolic nutrition represents an essential area of system reinforcement.

In response to this, local production initiatives have begun to take shape among homegrown healthcare solutions providers to develop locally produced specialised nutrition solutions tailored for genetic metabolic disorders. Among them are protein-free specialised nutrition products manufactured in Malaysia under VALENS, a specialised nutrition brand by homegrown pharmaceutical and consumer health company Pharm-D Health Science.

Such local production initiatives aim to complement existing imported options by reducing dependence on singular foreign supply chains and improving domestic responsiveness to clinical needs, as local production can shorten supply timelines, enhance distribution stability, and allow closer collaboration between manufacturers and healthcare providers managing rare genetic metabolic conditions in Malaysia.

Industry observers note that strengthening domestic capability does not replace international innovation but rather creates a more balanced and resilient healthcare ecosystem for rare disease patients.

Supporting Long-Term Sustainability

For families living with rare genetic metabolic disorders, care management extends beyond hospital settings into daily life. Parents and caregivers meticulously monitor dietary intake, calculate nutrient allowances, and maintain strict adherence to prescribed nutritional regimens.

More stable access to specialised nutrition, therefore, plays a direct role in maintaining clinical stability and quality of life.

As Malaysia advances its rare disease agenda, reinforcing continuity of specialised nutrition supply aligns with broader goals of healthcare sustainability and system resilience.

Dr Ngu emphasised that multi-stakeholder collaboration remains central to this progress.

“Policy direction, clinical expertise, patient advocacy and responsible industry participation must work together to strengthen rare disease care. Building sustainable access to specialised nutrition is part of that collective responsibility,” he said.

Towards a More Resilient Rare Disease Ecosystem

As Malaysia advances its rare disease healthcare agenda, experts emphasise that healthcare resilience must extend beyond pharmaceuticals and include other essential care components, such as specialised nutrition.

Strengthening domestic production capability in specialised nutrition, therefore, represents a much-needed practical step toward reinforcing that commitment.

As local capability continues to develop alongside global partnerships, Malaysia’s rare disease healthcare ecosystem stands to benefit from greater stability, responsiveness, and preparedness, which in turn supports Malaysian patients and families of the rare disease community.

About Pharm-D Health Science (PDHS)  

Founded in 2001, Pharm-D Health Science (PDHS) is a pharmaceutical and consumer health company specialising in specialised medicines, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and consumer health products. With a steadfast commitment to pioneering research, development, and manufacturing, PDHS offers a comprehensive array of solutions, including medications, over-the-counter medications, specialised nutrition, health supplements, and medical devices. Notably, PDHS is also a pioneer in postbiotics research and supply in Malaysia.

Beyond pharmaceuticals, the company provides healthcare and consumer health solutions under trusted house brands such as VALENS, ELDON, Lang Bragman, MedSkin, Reflux-G, Retane, and more. Ultimately, Pharm-D Health Science’s dedication to scientific excellence and holistic healthcare is driven by the mission to make health and wellbeing accessible for all with science.

For more information about Pharm-D Health Science, please visit https://www.pharmdhs.com/

Built distinctly for the way Australians work, live, and explore, the new ute is now being handed over to the nation for its final touch – its name

SYDNEY, March 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Following the unveiling of its upcoming world-first plug-in hybrid diesel ute, Chery Australia is handing the naming rights of the new model to the nation, inviting the Australian public to help name the vehicle through a nationwide competition, with the winner taking home bragging rights and the first Chery ute in Australia.

Designed with Australian lifestyles in mind, the new model is set to arrive in Q4 2026 and is poised to become the world’s first plug-in hybrid diesel ute, combining traditional diesel capability with electrified efficiency, with a 1000kg payload and 3.5 tonne towing capacity.

Utes are an iconic and deeply ingrained part of Australian culture, with over 235,000 new utes sold in 2025 alone, accounting for roughly 20% of all new vehicle sales (source: RACV).

Against this backdrop of national enthusiasm, Chery is giving Australians the unique opportunity to play a role in shaping the vehicle’s global identity by submitting their suggested name via the Chery Australia website.

“Utes aren’t just a vehicle in Australia, they’re a vital part of how we work and play. By introducing the world’s first plug-in hybrid diesel ute, we’re redefining what capability looks like for the segment. We’re excited to give Australians the opportunity to be part of this journey, and help us name the vehicle before it arrives later this year.” said Lucas Harris, Chief Operating Officer, Chery Australia.

Participants will be asked to submit a proposed name along with a short explanation outlining why it is the right fit for the vehicle. Entries will be reviewed by Chery, with shortlisted names progressing to a public vote before the final name is selected.

The individual who submits the winning name will walk away with a new Chery ute when the vehicle arrives in Australia later this year.

The Great Australian Chery Ute Naming Competition opens at 12:00pm AEDT Thursday 12 March 2026 and closes 11:50pm AEDT Thursday 26 March 2026.

More details and entry information are available on the Chery Australia website at https://cherymotor.com.au/ute-name-comp

ENDS

About Chery Motor Australia:

Chery Australia is a leading automotive brand recognized globally for its commitment to innovation, style, and performance. With a rich history spanning over two decades, Chery has established itself as a pioneer in the industry. Known for producing technologically advanced and visually striking vehicles, Chery offers a diverse range of models that cater to different lifestyles and preferences. Each Chery vehicle embodies the brand’s passion for pushing boundaries and redefining the driving experience.   

For more details on Chery visit www.cherymotor.com.au or Instagram @cheryaustralia

Insights from Agoda’s latest report show deeper, integrated localization is linked to stronger commercial outcomes as hotels in India adapt to rising intra-Asia demand

SINGAPORE, March 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda in its latest report “Tailored to Win: Capturing the High-Value Asian Traveler for Hotels in India” spotlights India as a robust travel market, revealing that nearly 98% of Indian hotels employing advanced localization strategies reported a positive impact on revenue. By comparison, 91% of hotels with basic localization strategies also report positive revenue impact, underscoring that while localization efforts are paying off, a more holistic approach maximises the likelihood of commercial success.

As India looks to increasingly compete in the global travel landscape, localization is becoming even more important. The Ministry of Tourism reported nearly 10 million foreign tourists in 2024^[1], with spending projected to reach INR 3.2 trillion in 2025^[2], driven by both long-haul interest and a growing demand from key Asian markets.

“Indian hotels have built strong domestic businesses, but many are still learning how to reel in the international guest,” shared Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda. “To win them over, localization can’t be treated as a marketing exercise. It has to show up in payments, communication, amenities and service so that it’s apparent at every touchpoint starting from discovery to check out. The data is unequivocal: hotels that go deeper see results with up to 98% reporting a positive revenue impact. The question isn’t whether to localize; it’s how quickly you can move from basics to best-in-class.”

Agoda’s report emphasizes that effective localization goes beyond translation. It involves holistically adapting marketing, booking processes, payment options and on-site services to match the cultural and practical expectations of travelers from different source markets. A more integrated approach allows hotels to better meet traveler expectations at every touchpoint and unlock greater value for inbound demand.  

Despite the potential, Indian hotels face a dual challenge in driving tailor-made strategies: a strategy gap in knowing whom to target and an execution gap in knowing how to deliver. These challenges are reflected in the top barriers cited by hoteliers: A majority (56%) of hoteliers surveyed cite both a limited awareness of cultural norms and uncertainty around which tailoring efforts will have the most impact. This is compounded by 44% who report a lack of both guest data insights and dedicated personnel to drive the initiatives.

As India’s robust tourism looks to define itself by its ability to capture the high-value Asian traveler, the need to deliver culturally attuned and localized guest experiences has become critical. To help hoteliers navigate this, Agoda’s report includes an “Origins Playbook” that dissects traveler motivations across key source markets:

• Malaysian travelers tend to blend family needs with an eye for deals
• Singaporeans are independent planners, booking accommodation separately from flights
• Japanese are a fast-growing market defined by short trips and increasing search interest
• Thai travelers are tech-forward, frequently utilizing AI for travel planning

Agoda’s digital suite for localization includes over 6 million accommodations, support for 39 languages, multi-currency payment options and 24/7 customer support. Dedicated programs such as the Agoda Growth Program for visibility in priority markets, country-specific promotions and Agoda Media Solutions for native-language campaigns are just some of the ways Agoda helps partners localize effectively. Through Agoda’s platform and expertise, hotels can overcome barriers, reach new segments and optimize their returns from international demand.

To explore how practical localization tips and actionable insights can help hotels capture more value from Asia’s diverse traveler base, download the full report at https://ago-da.co/4rgJZpf.