Singapore ranks first for tourism spending growth in 2025 amongst global travel hotspots, according to Alipay+, Ant International’s global wallet gateway. Payments via SGQR have surged more than 1.7 times year-on-year, as more ‘travel like a local’, channelling traveller spending directly to local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and supporting their continued growth as inbound tourism rises.
During the recent Golden Week holiday, Singapore continues to be a top destination for Chinese travellers, who are exploring local experiences even more, leading to transactions via SGQR increasing by 3.5 times, compared to the year before.
“Travel has a significant impact to local economies, and we believe that mobile wallets can be a catalyst for growth, connecting travellers and businesses in more ways than ever,” said Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International. “Alipay+ aims to support the travel ecosystem with AI-powered payments and digital services to enable online and offline merchants, tourism partners, and other fintechs to create customer-centric engagements for mobile-savvy consumers. Through greater collaboration, we can create a new future of travel, one that enhances the experience for consumers, and promotes growth and connectivity.”
Mobile-first habits are shaping the way people travel. Ant International has identified three trends that will impact tourism in 2025 and beyond: mobile payments become a norm when travelling, a rise in value-conscious, short-haul trips, and higher demand for unique local experiences.
To empower global merchants and the tourism industry to meet these new traveller needs and reach more customers, Alipay+ has significantly expanded its payments and digital services ecosystem, including:
- Payments: Growing cross-border payment acceptance for Alipay+ to more than 100 markets, and expanding its partner ecosystem to 40, representing 1.8 billion users
- Partners: Supporting [new] Bluecode (Europe), PayPay (Japan) and KBank (Thailand) users to pay with their banking and wallet apps when traveling abroad
- Services: New services include (i) Alipay+ Voyager, a built-in AI travel agent, integrating partners like Trip.com, Agoda and Grab, (ii) Alipay+ GenAI Cockpit, an AI-as-a-Service solution for digital wallets to build AI-native solutions, and (iii) Expanded Global Blue in-app tax refunds for more partners, creating an end-to-end digital experience
Oliver Chong, Assistant Chief Executive, International Group, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “Singapore's position as the top destination for tourism spending growth reflects the success of our efforts to drive new and refreshed tourism products and experiences for visitors from around the world. Through our strategic collaboration with Alipay+, including promotional campaigns featuring Singaporean artist Stefanie Sun, we strive to create a seamless payment experience for our visitors and to enable our local businesses including hawker centres and neighbourhood shops to participate meaningfully in Singapore's tourism growth.”
Mobile payments become the norm, driving inclusive growth for Singaporean SMEs via SGQR
Singapore is one of the top 10 most popular travel destinations globally for Alipay+ partner users based on number of transactions, with top inbound markets from China, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, who are embracing the use of their trusted home payment app locally. To ensure inclusive growth at scale, Alipay+ is deepening its collaborations with national payment networks. In Singapore, transactions via SGQR increased by more than 1.7 times, as travellers visit hawkers and small merchants beyond shopping and attractions.
Globally, more than 6.5 million digital wallet users are using Alipay+ cross-border payments for the first time while abroad in the first half of 2025. Transactions across online travel agents and in-store merchants increased by more than 30 per cent. Not only can travellers travel and pay like a local more conveniently, but businesses can seamlessly participate in the inbound tourism boom as Singapore hit an all-time high in tourism receipts in 2024.
Short-haul, value-conscious travel on the rise, opening up more opportunities for local businesses
Travellers are seeking greater value when they travel by going to places closer to home, looking for deals, and spending at local merchants.
Asia is leading global travel growth in 2025, with intra-Asia travel a big contributor. China, Japan, South Korea, and particularly Southeast Asia are amongst the most popular travel destinations globally, with intra-Asia transactions by Alipay+ partners increasing 32 percent year-on-year.
Travellers want to save when they can, without compromising on experiencing local destinations. Redemptions via A+ Rewards, an in-app marketing platform where travellers can browse local promotions and coupons, increased 57 percent. Travelers are also spending more at local businesses, with transactions under USD10 increasing 37 percent.
Seamless exploration and local experiences are driving a new wave of travel
Travellers are spending across more diverse travel scenarios. While F&B and retail are the top activities for travellers in Singapore, they are increasingly exploring our local experiences. One-third of transactions made by Alipay+ partner users now occur via SGQR, as travellers spend more on local food like hawker centres and explore local neighbourhoods. The extensive coverage is driving digital habits, with travellers from Europe visiting local shops and also making payment with their local payment apps via Bluecode and Tinaba. Travellers are also going around more independently with transactions for public transport services increasing tenfold in Singapore.
The expansion of Alipay+ acceptance across merchants and different modes of transportation has made it easier for travellers to visit smaller towns including Shikokuchūō in Japan, Jeollabuk-do in South Korea, Semporna in Malaysia and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province in Thailand.
