Malaysia, along with South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore, emerged as one of the top destinations for Chinese tourists during the Golden Week holiday, which ran from October 1 to 7, according to Alipay’s e-wallet transaction data.

Alipay reported a significant 60% increase in transactions by Chinese tourists in overseas markets during the first four days of the holiday compared to the same period in 2023. Malaysia, alongside other popular destinations like South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong SAR, and Singapore, saw the most activity.

During the 2024 National Day Golden Week, Alipay highlighted that spending among Chinese tourists rose sharply, with a shift from a focus on shopping to local experiences. Tourists are now spending more on services such as transportation, entertainment, food, and beverage, with Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Macao SAR witnessing the fastest growth in transportation-related transactions.

Alipay also revealed that international tourists in China spent 120% more year-on-year using Alipay’s international card-enabled accounts during the holiday, spurred by China’s visa-free policy updates in 2023. Visitors from over ten countries benefitting from this policy tripled their spending compared to the previous year.

Since September 2023, Alipay+ has supported 13 major e-wallets and payment apps across Asia, including Malaysia’s Touch ‘n Go, expanding access to Alipay’s vast network of 80 million merchants in China.

This increase in spending reflects the growing importance of local experiences and diversified tourist activities among Chinese travelers, further cementing Malaysia’s position as a favored destination during Golden Week.