Travel Platform Agoda Teams With Atome to Offer BNPL in Philippines

Agoda, the digital travel platform, is working alongside BNPL firm Atome to add more flexible payment options for the Philippines, a press release says.

The rollout comes as part of the two companies’ partnership.

They were working together in other markets like Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia.

The partnership will see Philippines travelers paying for their domestic travel accommodations in three installment payments.

Like other BNPL options, this will come without any additional charges. Customers will be able to select Atome as a checkout option on Agoda’s mobile app or website.

Darren Makarem, vice president for commercial finance at Agoda, said the company wants to use technology “to simplify search, booking and payment processes.”

“We’re already live with Atome in several other markets, and building on this regional partnership, we are delighted to now make this service available to travelers in the Philippines,” he said. “Our deferred payment systems will allow travelers, who have previously found it inconvenient to pay for their booking in one lump sum, to spread the costs over multiple payments by choosing to pay with Atome.”

Meanwhile, Sheila Sta. Ines, head of business development at Atome Philippines, said the partnership will help “play our part to boost domestic tourism by providing Agoda customers payment flexibility, affordability and convenience as they book their domestic travel plans; even as we prepare for the safe and smooth resumption of overseas travel and holidays in the new normal.”

She said the pandemic had done severe damage to the travel industry in the area.

Last year Atome also debuted its service in Malaysia, according to PYMNTS.

Read more: Singapore’s Buy Now, Pay Later Startup Atome Partners Up for Malaysia Launch

That came with over 100 online and physical store retailers.

Atome was launched in 2018 and entered local markets with partnerships with Agoda, ezbuy, Eu Yan Sang and Hush Puppies and others, according to the report.