Indian travellers can now use Unified Payments Interface (UPI) apps to book tickets and make online payments at major tourist attractions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore.
This follows new partnerships announced by NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India.
Burj Khalifa becomes first UAE attraction
The initiative extends UPI’s reach beyond merchant payments to online bookings, allowing visitors to plan and pay for experiences abroad through a familiar digital payment system.
In the UAE, NIPL has partnered with NEOPAY and Emaar Entertainment to enable UPI payments for online bookings at At the Top, Burj Khalifa. It is the first tourist attraction in the UAE to accept UPI for e-commerce transactions.
Singapore expands UPI acceptance
In Singapore, the collaboration with payment institution FOMO Pay extends UPI acceptance to Resorts World Sentosa. The facility covers attractions including Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore Oceanarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark.
The expansion follows Singapore receiving 1.2 million Indian visitors in 2025, highlighting the importance of Indian travellers to its tourism sector.
Cross-border payment network expands
The new integrations build on existing partnerships, including QR-based merchant payment networks, and extend UPI convenience to advance bookings at international attractions.
NIPL said the initiative would simplify transactions for Indian tourists by reducing currency-related friction and providing access to familiar and secure payment options. It also strengthens digital payment connectivity between India and the two destinations.
UPI accepted in ten countries
UPI is currently accepted in ten countries: Singapore, the UAE, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Greece.
The ticketing facility for the Eiffel Tower in France using UPI was introduced in January 2024. Uzbekistan is expected to become the 11th country following a commercial agreement announced on August 30. The expansion reflects the growing international adoption of India’s digital payment infrastructure and its integration into travel and tourism services.