Gulf Strategic Solutions (GSS), a leading event management company in the Middle East, and Fesitpay, a cashless payment technology provider, today announced a strategic alliance to develop integrated cashless payment solutions and event planning services across the Middle East.

Historic Festipay deal

The new partnership will focus on developing market-leading event services, with a particular focus on the development, promotion and distribution of Festipay cashless payment solutions, which have been used at many major events in Europe and the Middle East in recent years.

GSS is an affiliate of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and was established in 2023 to provide specialist event planning services to third parties. The company draws on 20 years of experience in organising the Formula 1 Grand Prix and many other major events for third parties.

Festipay at the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix. Source: Press Release GSS – Festipay

His relationship with Payment was cemented last year when the Bahrain Grand Prix became a cashless venue for the first time, using Festipay’s technology and expertise. As well as providing integrated point-of-sale technology across the venue for card transactions, it also developed ‘BIC Pay’, a prepaid card solution for customers, meaning fans could enjoy simple, fast cashless payments throughout the BIC. The technology has also been used at other major events at the BIC, including the World Endurance Championship and the Bahrain Darts Masters.

Festipay at the Royal Castle in Budapest. Photo: FB/Festipay

Ambitious plans

GSS will work with Festipay to promote and implement the cashless solution and related technologies at key events across the region.

Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain International Circuit, said:

“Since its inception, GSS has sought to partner with top organisations that share our ambition to deliver high-quality events. Festipay’s expertise in cashless payment solutions, as demonstrated by its work at last year’s Formula 1 race in Bahrain, means that this strategic alliance is a natural fit for us. We look forward to working with the Festipay team on new and exciting opportunities.”

Source: GSS – Festipay press release

László Márki, CEO of Festipay, said:

“Festipay has been a key player in the digital payments market at events in Central and Eastern Europe for a decade. An important milestone for us was winning the contract for the digital payments service at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Bahrain. And equally important is that we found not only a customer, but also a strategic partner in Bahrain, which allows us to work closely together in the Middle East. According to the agreement we have just signed, we are entering one of the fastest growing digital payments markets in the world in cooperation with GSS.”

Bahrain International Circuit. Source: GSS Press Release – Festipay

Gulf Strategic Solutions

With an unprecedented level of experience in the events sector, GSS is an event management and execution consultancy in the Middle East. Leveraging the company’s expertise in all areas of event management, GSS offers its clients comprehensive solutions that can deliver the detail and operational efficiency of any major event in the region. The company has over 20 years of experience in event management, including the Bahrain Grand Prix, as well as several non-motorsport events for external clients in Bahrain.

Festival

Festipay is a leading provider of digital payment services and integrated event management in Central and Eastern Europe, serving thousands of merchants in 13 countries at festivals, events and catering venues. The company has become a trusted partner for organizers and merchants across industries, offering seamless payment solutions. Festipay specializes in cutting-edge, integrated fintech solutions and secure transactions, enabling organizers to deliver exceptional event experiences through innovative payment solutions.

Festipay services are used at some of the largest festivals in Hungary and Romania. They are also present in numerous permanent locations, including Budapest’s thermal baths, ski resorts and entertainment venues.

In addition to its success in providing integrated event management services to major festivals in Hungary and Romania, Festipay’s achievements include the inaugural UNTOLD Dubai this year. The largest electronic music megafestival in the Emirates also used Festipay to manage entry and cashless payments. After operations in Europe and Southeast Asia, Festipay is now prepared to handle events and merchants in the Middle East as well.

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