China and India continues to drive global traffic: MasterCard
Based on aggregated and anonymised transaction data, 2025 Travel Trends by payments services firm Mastercard reveals that the Asia-Pacific region is home to eight of the world’s top 15 summer travel destinations, while highlighting consumer spending patterns in the travel economy.
In a press statement, Mastercard says that based on the strongest increases in demand between June and September, Japan leads the list, with Tokyo and Osaka ranked first and second as summer destinations. Additionally, Vietnam’s Nha Trang appears on the list for the first time due to increased travel interest.
David Mann
“The Asia-Pacific region continues to set the pace for global travel, with buzzing destinations like Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul, and Singapore capturing the imagination of travellers around the world. Even as economic uncertainty persists, travel remains a bright spot driven by people seeking meaningful, value-driven experiences. From exchange rates to regional accessibility, travellers are making smarter, more intentional choices about where they go and why, with a clear shift toward more personal, purposeful journeys,” says David Mann, chief economist, Asia Pacific, Mastercard.
It adds that outbound travel from China and India continues to drive global traffic, with the Chinese Mainland retaining its status as the world’s largest outbound travel market in 2024. Demand is focussed on destinations such as Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore along with emerging interest in Central Asia.
The statement says that India recorded its highest outbound travel numbers in 2024. Abu Dhabi, Hanoi and Bali have been popular destinations among Indian travellers, whose growth has been supported by increased direct air routes and a growing middle-class segment.
As per the statement, in terms of travel purpose, there is a shift toward food, nature, and wellness, as destinations like Gianyar and Queenstown have seen increased tourist activity in the dining sector. Thailand ranks high in MEI’s Wellness Trend Index, offering eco lodges and meditation retreats, while New Zealand also records a rising WTI score.
According to the press statement, the American global technology company says that sporting events continue to influence travel, as major fixtures such as the Australian Open and the Baseball World Series in Los Angeles have contributed to increased international spending. Additionally, the report notes a significant increase in spending by Japanese tourists during Shohei Ohtani’s World Series debut.
MasterCard says that business travel remains limited to regional routes. While the number of trips has declined, average durations have increased. For instance, the average length of stay for US-based travellers to the Asia-Pacific region rose from 8.8 days to 10.2 days.
According to the press statement, the American financial services company says that exchange rates remain a key factor in travel decisions, as a weaker yen in 2024 boosted inbound tourism to Japan. As a result, a 1 pc depreciation of the Japanese Yen (JPY) against the Chinese Renminbi (RMB) led to a 1.5 pc rise in tourists from the Chinese Mainland. In contrast, visitors from New Zealand and the US were less responsive to the same currency movement. The number of Singaporean tourists to Japan rose significantly due to a 40 pc increase in the Singapore Dollar against the Japanese Yen.
Similarly, MasterCard says that a 1 pc depreciation of the United States Dollar against currencies of India, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan corresponded to a 0.6–0.8 pc increase in outbound travel to the US.
As per a press statement, the technology company says that the report also highlights an increase in travel fraud, with a rise of up to 28 pc during peak seasons. False listings and inflated prices are some of the common issues.
“This report is designed to offer a clearer view of how consumer behaviours are evolving, and what that means for tourism growth. By turning data into actionable insights, the MasterCard Economics Institute aims to support the travel ecosystem in making smarter decisions that drive stronger tourism strategies, better traveller experiences, and more resilient economic outcomes,” adds Mann.
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