Chinese tourists flocked to Singapore during the 2025 Labour Day holiday, making it one of the top destinations based on Alipay spending data. The surge in travel spending was part of a broader trend observed during China’s Golden Week, with both inbound and outbound tourism experiencing significant growth.
Alipay and its partner payment apps reported a notable increase in transactions, with Singapore among the top destinations alongside Hong Kong SAR, Japan, and South Korea. The data highlights the growing preference for seamless digital payment solutions among Chinese travellers, facilitated by Alipay+’s cross-border payment services.
The Alipay+ platform, developed by Ant International, allows users of 36 e-wallets across Asia and Europe to make payments in over 70 markets without currency exchange. This convenience has led to increased spending on local experiences, with Switzerland recording the highest average Alipay spending per user.
In addition to outbound travel, inbound tourism to China also saw a remarkable boost. The number of transactions and total spending by international travellers using 13 supported e-wallets rose by over 100% year-on-year. This growth is attributed to China’s updated tax refund and visa-free policies, which have attracted more international visitors.
Alipay’s real-time tax refund service and instant discount offers have also seen significant increases, reflecting the platform’s role in enhancing the travel experience. As digital payment solutions continue to evolve, destinations like Singapore are likely to remain popular among Chinese tourists seeking convenient and immersive travel experiences.
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