Centara Partners with Global Payments on Cross-Border Tech
Centara Hotels & Resorts integrates Global Payments infrastructure across Thailand properties to support 153 currencies and 200 payment types.
The short answer
Centara Hotels & Resorts will deploy Global Payments' cross-border engine across its Thailand portfolio in Q4 2026. The integration enables 153 currencies and 200 payment methods to boost direct bookings.
“Travellers now expect to find their own currency, preferred payment method and a seamless checkout experience wherever they book. Addressing the same challenges faced by our global airline partners, we are proud to extend our proven cross-border solution to one of Asia’s most respected hospitality brands.”
The short version
- Centara will activate Global Payments technology across its Thai properties in Q4 2026.
- 153 currencies and 200 payment types will be supported via multicurrency pricing and FX rate locks.
- Nearly 35% of Southeast Asian hotel reservations now flow through direct brand channels rather than OTAs.
Centara Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Global Payments Inc. to deploy cross-border payment infrastructure across its Thailand estate in the fourth quarter of 2026 [1]. The integration introduces multicurrency pricing covering 153 currencies and 200 payment options, designed to reduce checkout friction, lock foreign exchange rates, and capture rising direct booking demand from international travellers [1].
What does the Global Payments partnership bring to Centara?
The agreement deploys multicurrency pricing (MCP) and cross-border settlement capabilities across Centara’s domestic hotel network [1]. According to eHotelier, the platform enables guests to pay in 153 currencies using 200 distinct payment methods, supported by locked foreign exchange rates and reliable currency conversion sources [1]. This framework removes unexpected exchange rate shifts at checkout, protecting conversions during the payment stage [1]. Centara operates more than 93 properties across 12 countries, and the new transaction system goes live across its Thailand locations in the fourth quarter of 2026 [1].
Why are direct booking capabilities shifting in Southeast Asia?
Hotel operators in the region face strong competition from third-party channels, but direct web traffic is expanding [1]. Online travel agencies still generate 69% of all hotel reservations across ASEAN markets [1]. However, industry figures published by eHotelier reveal that nearly 35% of Southeast Asian hotel bookings now originate directly on hotel brand websites [1]. Guests increasingly bypass third-party platforms to secure loyalty perks, flexible booking terms, and lower room rates [1]. Without clear multicurrency pricing, unexpected fees and foreign exchange volatility cause checkout hesitation, handing an advantage back to aggregators [1].
| Metric or Feature | Value / Detail | Operational Context |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Booking Share | Nearly 35% | Hotel bookings made directly on brand websites in Southeast Asia [1] |
| OTA Booking Share | 69% | Dominant share of hotel bookings across ASEAN territories [1] |
| Supported Currencies | 153 | Covered by multicurrency pricing on the new payment engine [1] |
| Supported Payment Types | 200 | Local and international payment options available at checkout [1] |
| Centara Portfolio Size | 93+ properties | Estate spread across 12 countries [1] |
| Annual Processor Volume | Approximately $3.7 trillion | Global Payments platform scale across 175+ countries [1] |
| Deployment Timeline | Q4 2026 | Scheduled launch across Centara’s Thailand estate [1] |
How does incoming tourism impact Thai hotel payment requirements?
Thailand's high volume of international arrivals requires operators to support varied consumer payment habits from source markets [1]. In 2025 alone, Thailand registered 32.97 million international visitor arrivals, each carrying domestic payment instruments and distinct currency expectations [1]. eHotelier noted that currency friction, absent regional payment methods, and complicated cross-border fund settlement create revenue losses for Thai travel merchants [1]. Providing transparent pricing in a traveller's home currency removes hesitation when securing rooms online [1].
How does this fit into Global Payments' regional strategy?
The deal links hospitality into an established transit payments network Global Payments built over the past year [1]. Global Payments entered Thailand twelve months ago, securing payment relationships with the country's primary airlines [1]. Incorporating Centara extends that structure from airline booking through to hotel check-in [1]. Globally, Global Payments handles approximately $3.7 trillion in yearly transactions across more than 175 countries [1]. Phil Pomford, executive lead for Enterprise APAC at Global Payments, explained that international travellers expect familiar currencies and checkout workflows across every stage of travel, mirroring requirements seen among airline clients [1].
What does ownership of checkout mean for hotel revenue teams?
Owning the complete payment workflow allows operators to build direct guest relationships rather than yielding control to third-party distribution channels [1]. Thirayuth Chirathivat, chief executive officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts, stated that integrating multicurrency pricing and cross-border tech strengthens guest loyalty, direct interaction, and Thailand's broader travel market [1]. By eliminating unexpected conversion costs, hotel revenue managers protect checkout completion rates and keep distribution costs lower than third-party merchant fees [1].
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Frequently asked
+When will Centara launch the Global Payments platform?
Transactions on the new platform are scheduled to launch across Centara's Thailand properties during the fourth quarter of 2026.
+How many currencies and payment options will the system support?
The infrastructure includes multicurrency pricing supporting 153 currencies alongside 200 distinct payment types, backed by locked foreign exchange rates.
+What proportion of hotel bookings in Southeast Asia are made directly?
Industry data indicates that nearly 35% of hotel bookings in Southeast Asia now occur directly through hotel brand websites, even as OTAs account for 69% across ASEAN.
+How many foreign tourists visited Thailand in 2025?
Thailand recorded 32.97 million international visitor arrivals in 2025, driving the need for localized cross-border checkout options.
+How large is Centara Hotels & Resorts' footprint?
Centara Hotels & Resorts operates more than 93 properties across 12 countries, with Thailand serving as its primary operating base.
+What other travel verticals does Global Payments cover in Thailand?
Global Payments established relationships with Thailand's leading airlines after entering the market twelve months ago, connecting carrier tickets with hotel accommodations.
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