According to this year's study, which surveyed more than 15,000 travellers across Asia Pacific, Japan secured the top spot among destinations that respondents travelled to the most
Asia Pacific travellers prefer using credit, debit and prepaid cards as payment method when travelling, finds out latest study by digital payment platform Visa’s Global Travel Intentions (GTI) study, underlining consumers’ growing reliance on digital payment methods.
According to the study, the number of travellers bringing cash on their trips has also fallen by 60 pc post-pandemic, with only 31 pc of respondents bringing cash in 2023, as compared to 79 pc in 2020. Respondents cite reasons such as wide acceptance by merchants, travel security and good foreign exchange rates as drivers for overseas card usage.
According to this year’s study, which surveyed more than 15,000 travellers across Asia Pacific, Japan secured the top spot among destinations that respondents travelled to the most. About 25 pc of respondents have visited the country this year, followed by Australia at 18 pc and Singapore with 12 pc.
It adds that with 16 pc each, Japan and Australia jointly led the list for international business leisure, or ‘bleisure’, trips, where consumers combine leisure with business activities during their span of travel. Mainland China followed at 9 pc.
Danielle Jin
“We are witnessing a significant shift in travellers’ behaviours and payment preferences post-pandemic, with many opting for safe, digital, and touch-free payment methods. Our Global Travel Intentions study reaffirms the growing importance of digital payments in enhancing the overall travel experience, and how the travel ecosystem needs to help local businesses provide secure and contactless payment solutions that align with the preferences of today’s travellers,” says Danielle Jin, Head of Marketing, Asia Pacific, Visa.
Rising trip expenses has also been a recent trend, with travellers spending more in 2023. An average of USD 2,525 per trip is noted in 2023, a significant jump from USD 1,708 in 2020, adds the statement.
The survey also highlights that the main motivations for travel are relaxation, for 39 pc of respondents, followed by the desire to explore and learn something new for 14 pc and visiting family and friends for 13 pc. Other motivators include both shopping and going on an adventure for 8 pc.
Sustainability takes centerstage as 63 pc of respondents incline towards sustainable travel, citing choosing sustainable accommodation, utilising energy efficient modes of transport and avoiding use of single-use plastics during their trips as ways to travel sustainably.
The report adds that when planning future trips, travellers draw inspiration from various sources. Advertising for 49 pc and word of mouth for 48 pc lead the way.
The Visa Global Travel Intentions Study 2023 surveyed 15,467 respondents across Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mainland China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The statement adds that spanning over a decade, the biennial GTI survey sheds light on travel and payment behaviours while capturing emerging trends in the travel landscape.
