The global payments company revealed that around one in five travellers (20%) who visited Singapore for the Grand Prix continued their journeys to other destinations across the region. On average, these travellers spent an additional 3.5 days exploring Asia Pacific after race weekend.
Visa’s analysis found that long-haul visitors—those travelling from outside of Asia—were particularly likely to extend their trips, with about 35% visiting at least one other country after the race. Top post-race destinations included Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, all short flights from Singapore, as well as Australia and Japan.
.svg "Affluent Travellers Drive Post-Race Tourism Surge After Singapore Grand Prix 2 Travel & Tourism News – Global, Trusted, Independent")
Travellers spent around 40% more per person overseas than they typically do at home. The biggest spenders came from the United States, Australia, Mainland China, Germany, and France. Spending patterns varied by country, with restaurants and eateries dominating in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, while retail purchases were stronger in Australia and Japan.
Affluent Travellers Leading the Charge
Visa’s data highlighted the outsized influence of affluent cardholders in driving post-race tourism. About 25% of this group made further travel plans after the Grand Prix—higher than the 20% overall average. Their preferred destinations extended beyond Asia, with many heading to Europe and North America.
These affluent travellers also spent 20% more per person than other visitors on their post-race trips, with notable increases in department store spending (up 65%) and apparel (up 50%).
Contactless Payments Power Seamless Travel
The report also underscored the widespread adoption of contactless payments during and after the Singapore Grand Prix. Visa found that 85% of all in-person transactions made by travellers visiting another country post-race were contactless.
Usage was nearly universal among travellers from Australia and the United Kingdom, where contactless payments accounted for about 95% of all face-to-face transactions. Even in markets where contactless infrastructure is still developing—such as Japan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam—usage exceeded 80%.
Visa said the findings reflect a continued global shift toward frictionless and secure payment experiences, enabling travellers to pay seamlessly across restaurants, retailers, and even public transport systems.
A Catalyst for Regional Tourism
The data underscores how the Singapore Grand Prix has evolved beyond a marquee sporting event to become a catalyst for regional tourism and spending. With affluent travellers extending their journeys and embracing digital payment tools, the race weekend is delivering an economic boost across Asia Pacific.
