Singaporeans are increasingly opting for regional travel, with Malaysia and Japan emerging as the top destinations for year-end trips, according to Visa’s latest data. The report highlights a significant rise in face-to-face card spending in these countries, reflecting a preference for regional, shorter-haul travel.
Malaysia maintained its position as the most popular travel corridor, with a notable 18% year-on-year increase in spending. Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru were the top destinations, experiencing growth of 31% and 17% respectively.
Japan followed closely, with a 5% increase in overall spending, driven by affluent travellers seeking winter activities in Hokkaido and Nagano.
Thailand and South Korea also remained key destinations, with Singaporeans exploring beyond major cities. Emerging hotspots like Chiang Mai and Chonburi in Thailand, and Busan and Jeju in South Korea, saw increased spending. Notably, healthcare spending in South Korea surged by nearly 90%, indicating a trend of seeking medical services abroad.
Mainland China climbed eight places to become the fifth most popular destination, with spending by Singaporeans rising nearly 80% year-on-year. This growth was fuelled by accommodation and retail spending, particularly in cities like Shenzhen and Chengdu.
Long-haul travel saw a decline, with France, the UK, and the US dropping in popularity. However, France recorded a 12% increase in spending, remaining a favourite among affluent travellers.
Adeline Kim, Visa’s Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei, noted, “Travel is a key category spend for Singapore residents, especially our affluent cardholders, who are spending three times more per trip than our mass segment cardholders.”
