Travel remains a priority for Singaporeans despite economic uncertainties, with China overtaking Japan as a top June holiday destination — a sign of shifting consumer behaviour toward more value-driven, well-planned travel.

Singapore’s outbound travel bounced back strongly over the June school holidays, with data from multi-currency wallet YouTrip showing that 1 in 4 travellers visited more than one destination. But more telling than the numbers is how Singaporeans are now travelling — deliberately, and with cost-efficiency front of mind.

Amid rising costs and global economic headwinds, regional destinations saw overwhelming preference, with more than 80 per cent of Singaporeans heading to Asian countries. China recorded the sharpest rise, surpassing Japan with a 58 per cent jump in traveller numbers.

This shift suggests that affordability, accessibility, and perceived value are overtaking familiarity and nostalgia. Travellers flocked to Chinese cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Chengdu, drawn by both cultural appeal and popular local brands such as Pop Mart and Hai Di Lao.

“Travellers are thinking how — not whether — they explore the world,” said Kelvin Lam, Chief Operating Officer of YouTrip. “They’re prioritising destinations with stronger cost-to-value appeal, paired with more deliberate planning.”

Spending Reflects Priorities

YouTrip’s data also revealed distinct patterns in travel spending. In Southeast Asia, food was king — Singaporeans indulged in local cuisine across night markets and popular chains from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur.

In contrast, North Asia emerged as a shopping magnet. Travellers to Japan, China and South Korea spent 300 per cent more than those in Southeast Asia, fuelled by tax-free shopping and brand pricing advantages at stores like GU, Miniso and Olive Young. Many offset these retail splurges by cutting back on food costs, opting for convenience store meals and fast food.

Western destinations like the United Kingdom, United States and Australia saw a different profile — travellers leaned into cultural and nature-focused experiences, while choosing to cook their own meals to manage expenses.

Families Travel, Gen Z Explores

As expected, families dominated the travel crowd during the June holidays. Millennials and Gen X travellers largely stuck to short-haul destinations like Thailand and Indonesia, favouring affordability and convenience.

Gen Z, however, showed more diverse travel preferences. This group favoured immersive experiences over material purchases — a departure from the souvenir-focused travel habits of older generations.

Meanwhile, older travellers (60 and above) opted for slower itineraries and comfort, steering clear of busy hubs like Japan and South Korea, and choosing cruises or packaged tours instead.

YouTrip Usage Reflects Financial Savviness

The travel surge also brought a spike in usage of YouTrip’s budgeting tools. One in five Singaporeans now rely on the app to manage foreign exchange — avoiding hidden fees and locking in better rates ahead of their trips.

According to YouTrip, 41 per cent of users pre-converted currencies within the app to secure better value. This trend was especially pronounced among Gen Z and Millennial users, who were twice as likely as older travellers to adopt the feature.