Weixin Mini Programmes experienced a significant increase in global transaction value during the Lunar New Year holiday from 15 to 23 February, with a 65% year-on-year rise. Chinese outbound tourists increasingly utilised the app for dining, transport, hotel bookings, and attraction tickets, contributing to this growth.
The Year of the Horse in 2026 spurred interest in horse-themed travel, with destinations featuring the character “马” (horse) in their names seeing a notable uptick in visitors. Malaysia, in particular, witnessed a 131% increase in offline transaction value by Chinese tourists, whilst transaction value on Malaysia-based Weixin Mini Programmes surged by over 140%.
Italy emerged as a standout destination, partly due to the Winter Olympics, recording a 190% increase in transaction value. Other “dark horse” markets included Qatar and Switzerland, which also saw significant growth in transactions.
In terms of inbound tourism, visitors to the Chinese mainland using Weixin Pay linked to international bank cards saw a doubling in average daily visits. The medical aesthetics sector experienced a doubling in transaction value, highlighting its rapid growth.
Weixin Pay’s support for 29 overseas wallets across 12 countries contributed to a 28% increase in transactions during the holiday period. This interoperability is expected to continue driving growth in international transactions. As the Year of the Horse progresses, these trends may further influence global travel patterns.
