This Tech Deal Targets Payment Inefficiencies in Thai Hotel Sector

Latin American payments platform dLocal has teamed up with hospitality management software Cloudbeds to tackle a common challenge for Thai hoteliers: inefficient payment systems. 

As Southeast Asia moves towards a digital economy, Thailand is expected to transition to a cashless society by 2028. This is faster than most other countries in the region, according to a survey by Visa.

Payment automation is essential for the growth of Thailand’s hospitality industry, projected to reach almost $2 billion by 2030.

Hotels throughout the country often wrestle with outdated systems — a mix of clunky legacy infrastructure and fragmented payment solutions. 

High cross-border fees, manual reconciliation, and the difficulty of accepting both international and domestic payment methods all present significant barriers. This can deter international tourists and add layers of complexity for local businesses.

The dLocal-Cloudbeds collaboration aims to solve this challenge.

By integrating their solutions, Thai hotels will be able to streamline the entire payment process: easily onboard new properties, handle transactions on their websites, process OTA payments, and accept both local and international credit cards, said dLocal. 

The company suggests it is more than just a technical upgrade.

“This partnership goes beyond simply enabling digital payments,” Alberto Bentancur Fabius, head of growth at dLocal, told Skift. “It directly addresses the unique payment challenges faced by Thailand’s hospitality industry and provides a fully localized solution, allowing hotels to accept both local and international payment methods while receiving settlements in Thai Baht. It also automates critical processes like onboarding, ledger management, and fund distribution, reducing operational friction and improving cash flow.”

Once hoteliers no longer need to worry about manual processes, they can focus on what they do best: hospitality, Fabius said.

Leveling the Playing Field for Small Operators

The shift is particularly useful for smaller and independent hotels, which can struggle to compete with large chains that have the resources to implement custom digital solutions. 

“It’s a major step toward financial inclusion for thousands of hospitality businesses in Thailand,” Fabius said, emphasizing the democratizing effect of this technology.

The benefits extend far beyond smoother check-ins and quicker fund settlements. Guests, especially international travelers, expect seamless, digital-first experiences, and a frictionless payment process significantly improves the overall stay. 

As Tony Vardiman, vice president of global payments and operations at Cloudbeds, put it, “Payment inconvenience now directly correlates with conversion loss.” 

Southeast Asian (ASEAN) markets, embracing modern cross-border payment solutions, like multi-currency wallets, real-time foreign exchange conversion, and global e-wallet acceptance, can create a travel experience that not only meets but exceeds expectations. “That builds repeat visitation and positive brand perception,” Vardiman told Skift.

Though the focus of the partnership is Thailand, its implications are decidedly regional. Many ASEAN countries face the same issues of fragmented systems, high fees, and delayed settlements. 

“Tourism businesses in emerging ASEAN markets often deal with a patchwork of disconnected systems, high fees, delayed settlements, and limited access to local payment methods, all of which make it more difficult to operate while disrupting the inflow of money,” Fabius explained. 

As the region competes for tourism dollars, a streamlined, tech-forward hospitality experience could be a decisive differentiator.

Hospitality and Tech

Automation is already reshaping the hospitality landscape. From contactless check-ins to AI-driven personalization, digital tools are improving both operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. 

On the payments side, the trend is clear: integrated platforms that simplify complex back-end processes, such as fund distribution, ledger management, and currency conversion, are becoming the norm. “The only question is when does the embrace of solutions like ours become ubiquitous rather than an increasingly major consideration for brands,” Fabius said.

Vardiman echoed this sentiment, stressing that cross-border payment innovation isn’t merely a technical upgrade, it’s a strategic lever for competitiveness. 

“For ASEAN tourism markets to maintain and grow their share of the global travel economy, they must treat payment innovation as a core pillar of customer experience, economic efficiency, and regional integration. The businesses that invest early in modern, traveler-centric payment infrastructure will be the ones that capture the future of global tourism,” Vardiman said.