Visa Destinations Launches in Asia Pacific as Regional Travel Remains Resilient

Visa Destinations Launches in Asia Pacific as Regional Travel Remains Resilient

• Thailand marks first Asia Pacific launch, with Singapore to follow in 2026
• Travel demand remains resilient but more intentional, as travellers seek assurance, flexibility, and meaningful experiences
• Demand is increasingly shifting towards shorter-haul, intra-regional travel, with spending focused in key hubs such as Bangkok, Singapore, and Tokyo

SINGAPORE, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today announced the expansion of its global, experience-led travel programme, Visa Destinations, into Asia Pacific, launching in Thailand as the first market, with Singapore set to follow in 2026. Designed around how travellers increasingly choose to explore the world, Visa Destinations connects cardholders to curated and unique destination-led experiences and offers, shaped by culture, craft, and local insight – helping them plan and experience trips around what matters most to them.

Through partnerships with carefully selected hospitality, dining, entertainment, and transport partners, Visa Destinations unlocks exclusive access, premium privileges, and locally distinctive experiences that bring cardholders closer to the character and rhythm of each destination. In Thailand, this means deeper immersion into the flavours, creativity, and experiences that define the vibrant tropical nation – supported by the local businesses behind them.

Currently live in Paris, London, and Dubai, Visa Destinations continues to expand globally, with Thailand joining the platform ahead of further launches including New York, San Francisco, Miami, Mexico City, Toronto, Italy, and Singapore in the coming months.

Travel remains one of the largest spending categories across Asia Pacific, with VisaNet data showing nearly US$180 billion in travel spend – more than 17% of total Visa card spending in the region^[1]. While demand remains resilient, travel patterns are evolving – as higher fuel costs and airspace disruptions accelerate a shift towards shorter-haul, intra-regional travel, with spends concentrating in key, dynamic, well-connected hubs such as Bangkok, Singapore, and Tokyo.

Travellers are becoming more selective, prioritising confidence, flexibility, and transparency, choosing experiences that feel meaningful and adjusting how and where they travel rather than cancelling trips altogether. Destinations that combine strong connectivity with a rich mix of diverse experiences are capturing that growing share of demand – positioning Thailand as a natural starting point for Visa Destinations in Asia Pacific.

Through Visa Destinations, travellers can expect a variety of benefits from the programme including:

• Curated experiences across hospitality, dining, wellness, shopping, entertainment, and transport, discoverable through a dedicated digital platform
• Location‑based cultural experiences such as the Songwat Experience in Bangkok, which spotlights a historic district known for heritage architecture, local food culture, and a growing creative community, all the while supporting local merchants through greater access to digital payments
• Partnerships with leading local and regional merchants, delivering exclusive benefits and access
• Seamless digital discovery and booking, designed to make planning and booking effortless
• Enhanced access for premium cardholders, with Visa Infinite and Visa Signature cardholders enjoying additional privileges and tailored travel benefits

"Across Asia Pacific, travel is becoming more experiential, with travellers looking to make each trip count," said T. R. Ramachandran, Head of Products and Solutions, Visa Asia Pacific. "We're seeing more travellers spend more time in destinations closer to home, choosing experiences that are deeper and more authentic, reflecting their personal passion points, beliefs, and values. Thailand reflects this shift and is a natural starting point for Visa Destinations in this region. Through Visa Destinations, we're connecting cardholders to experiences shaped by each destination."

About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

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SOURCE Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited