Traveling often involves the hassle of managing foreign currency and ensuring enough cash for various expenses. By integrating PhonePe’s UPI-based QR payment system, PickMe aims to alleviate this stress for Indian travelers in Sri Lanka. PhonePe users can now make secure and quick payments for their rides using UPI.

Ritesh Pai, CEO of International Payments at PhonePe, commented, “Our partnership with PickMe demonstrates our commitment to providing Indian travelers with convenient and trusted payment solutions. Travel is about exploring new cultures, where food and local shopping are integral parts. Previously, navigating payments in a new country could be troublesome. Now, with PhonePe, Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka can enjoy the ease and security of UPI payments for their rides.”

Jiffry Zulfer, CEO of PickMe, added, “We are currently the only ride-hailing platform in Sri Lanka offering this service to Indian travelers. We hope to continue innovating to make our service a convenient, safe, and cost-effective mode of transportation for everyone. This collaboration not only enhances convenience for Indian travelers but also supports our mission to drive digital transformation in Sri Lanka’s transportation sector. By enabling QR payments, we make travel easier and safer for tourists while providing a new revenue stream for our drivers.”

This collaboration follows PhonePe’s launch last month, during which Indian High Commissioner H.E. Santosh Jha urged Sri Lankan companies to engage with Indian firms to build on the UPI stack for innovations in hotel bookings, cab bookings, and delivery services. He commended such collaborations, expressing confidence that greater commercial engagement in the fintech sector will unlock innovation and transformation in the digital domain for both India and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is a popular destination among Indian travelers. This collaboration underscores PhonePe’s commitment to enhancing the overall experience of Indian travelers by allowing them to use familiar services like UPI during their visit.

The Fewa New Year Festival boasts a vibrant atmosphere with diverse attractions, including food stalls offering traditional Nepali and international cuisine, live music performances by both local and international artists, captivating cultural displays featuring traditional Nepali dances and music, as well as engaging art exhibitions and workshops. This iconic event presents a wonderful opportunity to indulge in Nepalese culture and savor local culinary delights.

Aligned with its commitment to promote digital payments through UPI, PhonePe will lead various initiatives during the festival to enhance awareness and adoption of digital transactions among local merchants and visitors. The activities will include on-ground campaigns aimed at educating merchants on the convenience of digital payments and showcasing the simplicity of UPI transactions to consumers. With extensive on-ground and digital branding, interactive kiosks demonstrating digital payment methods, and engaging activities, PhonePe, alongside e-Sewa and HAN Pokhara, will highlight the seamless experience of using UPI for transactions.

The festival is expected to host over 3,000 participating merchants and attract more than 100,000 visitors. This collaborative effort between PhonePe, e-Sewa, and HAN Pokhara underscores a collective commitment to advancing digital payment solutions and enhancing the overall festival experience.

Speaking on the partnership, Ritesh Pai, CEO International Payments, PhonePe, said, “We are excited to partner with eSewa and the Hoteliers Association of Nepal to help popularize   UPI as a part of the popular Fewa New Year Festival. Nepal attracts many Indian visitors annually who come to experience the music, food, and culture of this beautiful place. Our focus will be on creating merchant education and awareness to ensure the uptick of UPI on the Fonepay Network in Nepal. This partnership will revolutionize Nepal’s digital landscape, ensuring PhonePe customers can effortlessly conduct transactions at their convenience, regardless of location.’’

Mr. Jagdish Khadka, CEO, eSewa said “Partnering with PhonePe and the Hotel Association of Nepal for the Fewa New Year Festival is an exciting opportunity for eSewa to further promote digital payments in Nepal. As the country’s leading digital wallet, we are committed to enhancing the digital payment ecosystem and providing convenient solutions for both merchants and consumers. With Indian visitors being a major visitor for Nepal, this move aligns well to cater the needs of visitors and enhance their overall experience. Through this collaboration, we aim to showcase the benefits of using UPI and Fonepay network and empower merchants to embrace digital transactions, ultimately contributing to the growth of Nepal’s digital economy. Additionally, we believe such collaboration will foster greater financial inclusion and accessibility.”

Mr. Laxman Subedi, President HAN Pokhara Chapter said,“In the joyous spirit of Nepali New Year 2081, 19^th Fewa New Year Festival aims to attract 300,000 visitors. Pokhara’s hotels, supported by the Hotel Association of Nepal, offer discounts of up to 20% to ensure comfortable stay for tourists travelling to Pokhara. Embracing our values of Tourism, Culture, and Food, Pokhara stands out as a beacon of Nepal’s tourism appeal. Together, let’s reveal the beauty of our region, preserve our cultural heritage, welcome visitors from far and wide, and breathe new life into our hospitality sector.”

Mr. Diwas Sapkota, CEO, Fonepay said, “It brings us a great pleasure to witness the strategic partnership with PhonePe India, eSewa Nepal, and the Hoteliers Association of Nepal to promote the integration of UPI capabilities onto the Fonepay Network. The New Year Festival serves as an ideal venue to highlight the impact of this collaboration. With its massive turnout, the festival brings people to the heart of Nepal’s cultural and economic center, offering everyone the chance to witness and experience the advancements in payment technology.”