PRAGUE - Starting in December 2016, Chinese tourists will be able to make payments using the Alipay application in the Czech Republic, said Simona Svobodova, Sims MANAGEMENT founder, in the press release on Wednesday.

Sims MANAGEMENT is Alipay's cooperator. It will provide Alipay services for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The Gastro Group, a business network with over 19 businesses in Prague's city center, will be the first to accept Alipay e-payments.

The Gastro Group management is also convinced about the brand's potential. The group starts accepting Alipay payments effective on Dec 14, 2016.

It is believed that the presence of the brand and the use of the system in the market will help ensure the success of all merchants attempting to make their services and products more appealing to Chinese tourists.

Svobodova said the introduction of the Alipay application can help attract new customers, ensure the needed visibility and provide the option of direct online marketing communication with Chinese visitors.