PHNOM PENH: The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) has unveiled the “Bakong Tourists App with Mastercard,” a new digital payment solution aimed at enhancing the convenience of financial transactions for tourists visiting the country. This initiative is expected to revolutionize the way tourists handle their finances by allowing them to transfer funds directly from their Mastercard accounts to the Bakong Tourists wallets.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the NBC Governor Chea Serey highlighted the app’s capabilities during the launch event, stating, “Users can now transfer funds from their Mastercard accounts to their Bakong Tourists wallets, making payments easier while traveling.” This integration provides tourists with instant access to their funds, facilitating purchases, bookings, and expense management without the hassle of carrying cash or visiting currency exchange kiosks.
The app enables tourists to link their existing Mastercard to their Bakong Tourists wallet, thus removing the need for top-ups thr
ough Bakong business partners. The initiative aims to minimize the reliance on cash by allowing tourists to make payments via KHQR codes at approximately 3.3 million merchant locations throughout Cambodia.
Looking ahead, the NBC plans to further enhance the app’s functionality by enabling users to link other international payment cards. This strategic move is anticipated to boost innovation in Cambodia’s banking and financial sectors, offering travelers the dual benefits of convenience and security in digital payments.
The NBC, functioning as Cambodia’s central bank, has been committed to improving payment services and supporting the tourism sector. Since August 2024, the launch of the “Bakong Tourists App” has played a pivotal role in facilitating digital payments for international tourists, marking a significant step towards a cashless economy.
