TOKYO AND OSAKA LEAD THE WORLD’S HOTTEST TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

Asia-Pacific continues to set the pace for global travel in 2025, with eight of the world’s top 15 trending summer destinations coming from the region.

According to Mastercard Economics Institute's latest annual Travel Trends report, Japan’s capital, Tokyo, and Osaka have taken the number one and two spots globally, with tourism demand surging into the June–September summer period.

Vietnam’s beachside city of Nha Trang also debuted in the top 15, credited for its tropical coastline and vibrant nightlife.

Meanwhile, travel powerhouses China and India continue to dominate outbound markets. Chinese tourists favour destinations with better value and friendlier visa conditions, such as Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore, while interest in Central Asian hotspots like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is rising.

Indian travellers are venturing further than ever, with top picks including Abu Dhabi, Hanoi, and Bali, boosted by new direct flights and a growing middle class eager to explore.

Across the region, travellers are chasing meaningful moments over packed itineraries. Nature, food, and wellness are proving more compelling than ever. Bali’s Gianyar district and Queenstown in New Zealand were named as standout culinary destinations.

Thailand and New Zealand are carving out reputations for immersive wellness experiences, from eco-lodges to meditation retreats.

Sport also significantly shapes global travel plans. Events like the Australian Open and the Baseball World Series in Los Angeles are attracting a surge in international spending.

When Shohei Ohtani debuted at the World Series, spending by Japanese visitors spiked 91%—six times the general increase—showing how fans are willing to travel far and wide to witness their heroes.

“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 worldwide, "David Mann, chief economist, Asia Pacific, Mastercard, said.

"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 make smarter, more intentional choices about where they go and why, with a clear shift toward more personal, purposeful journeys.”

Currency shifts are significantly shaping where people go. In 2024, a weaker Japanese yen made Japan an attractive value destination, especially for Chinese and Singaporean tourists.

A one per cent drop in the yen versus the Chinese renminbi resulted in a 1.5% increase in Chinese visitors. Singaporean travel to Japan also hit record highs as the SGD rose 40% against the yen.

Mastercard’s data also shows that tourists from India, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan are exceptionally responsive to changes in the U.S. dollar.

A 1% drop in the USD relative to their currencies led to a 0.6–0.8% jump in travel to the U.S.

The nature of business travel is also evolving. While corporate travel has shrunk overall, trips tend to be longer. For example, the average visit from U.S. travellers to Asia-Pacific stretched from 8.8 days to 10.2 days.

But with travel booming, so too is travel fraud. Mastercard warns of scams peaking by up to 28% during busy tourist seasons, ranging from dodgy restaurant bills to fake accommodation listings.

The company invests in AI-driven fraud prevention and secure digital payment technologies to stay ahead.

“This report is designed to offer a clearer view of how consumer behaviours are evolving—and what that means for tourism growth,” added Mann.

“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.”