Global Payments Partners with Centara for Thailand Hotel Payments

Global Payments and Centara Hotels & Resorts have partnered to expand cross-border payment capabilities in Thailand, addressing barriers that cost hotels revenue. The partnership will see Global Payments power cross-border payment capabilities to support national and international visitation across Centara’s Thailand property estate starting in the fourth quarter of 2026. It mirrors Global Payments’ broader Asia strategy to identify high-volume travel verticals where cross-border payment complexity hinders customer attraction and retention.

Currency friction at checkout, limited support for international payment methods, and complexity of settling funds across borders cost travel merchants in Thailand real revenue. The agreement strengthens Global Payments’ presence in Thailand’s travel sector and extends its payment infrastructure across the international visitor journey. Global Payments is targeting high-volume travel businesses in Asia facing challenges in serving international customers.

Solutions target booking abandonment

The new platform will enable multicurrency pricing, FX rate locks, and support for 200 payment types to reduce checkout hesitation and lost sales. This addition completes a payments infrastructure that spans the full international traveller journey, from flight booking to hotel check-in.

Foreign exchange volatility and unexpected conversion rates cause buyer hesitation at checkout. The partnership configures reliable FX sources and rate locks across 153 currencies. These capabilities are designed to accommodate international guests’ preferred payment methods. They also reduce uncertainty around currency conversion. They give Centara greater control over the checkout experience and help strengthen its direct relationship with customers.

Shift to direct bookings drives need

With travelers favoring direct bookings for better prices and loyalty, a seamless payment experience is now a key differentiator for hotels like Centara. Industry research indicates that nearly 35% of hotel bookings in Southeast Asia now come directly through hotel websites. Online travel agencies (OTAs) account for 69% of hotel bookings in ASEAN.

Travellers are bypassing OTAs in favour of better prices, flexible policies, and loyalty benefits. A smoother payment experience is becoming increasingly important as travelers seek to book directly. There is an increased desire for a localised customer journey that rewards loyalty. Phil Pomford of Global Payments noted the trend, saying, "Travellers now expect to find their own currency, preferred payment method and a seamless checkout experience wherever they book."

Rollout aligned with tourism recovery

Transactions through the platform are set to begin in Q4 2026 across Centara’s Thailand properties, supporting the country’s rebound in international visitors. In 2025, Thailand welcomed 32.97 million international visitors. Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, offers more than 93 properties across 12 countries.

Since entering the Thai market twelve months ago, Global Payments has established relationships with the country’s leading carriers and now its most prominent hotel group. The payments infrastructure will enable Centara to offer travellers a seamless, localised booking experience. Thirayuth Chirathivat of Centara said, "Partnering with Global Payments allows us to deliver a seamless booking and payment experience that meets the expectations of today’s international travellers."

Global Payments scales in Asian travel

The deal reflects Global Payments’ broader Asia strategy to serve high-volume travel businesses facing cross-border payment complexity. Global Payments provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. The company manages approximately $3.7 trillion in transactions annually across more than 175 countries, hundreds of payment types and currencies. Transactions through the new platform are expected to begin across Centara’s properties in Thailand in the fourth quarter of 2026.