According to a recent survey conducted by Visa, global traveler budgets are increasing by an average of 5% from US$2,390 per trip to US$2,501. This is good news for the slumping travel industry, following years of declining tourism spending. The most deep-pocketed tourists were Saudi Arabians, spending an average of US$6,666 per trip, while Australian spent US$4,118, and Chinese travelers were not far behind with budgets of US$3,834. The lowest spending tourist ranged from US$1,304 per trip to US$1,198 with Thailand, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia respectively spending the least. Based on growth rates from the survey, Visa predicts the biggest increased in tourist spending will come from the lowest spending travelers, collectively.

The United States remained a top travel destination for global travelers both for trips taken in the past two years and for intended travel in 2013. Other top destinations in 2011 and 2012 included the United Kingdom, France, China, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong. In the upcoming year, regional travel is set to increase, especially in the Asia-Pacific. 31% of global travel is predicted to be to Asia, and new APAC destinations such as Australia and Korea are growing in popularity.

The Visa Global Travel Intentions Survey 2013 was commissioned by Visa to Millward Brown and polled 12,631 travelers aged 18 years and above, across 25 countries.

Top Spending Tourists:
1. Saudi Arabian – US$6,666
2. Australian – US$4,118
3. Chinese – US$3,824
4. Brazil – US$2,956
5. South Africa – US$2,888

Thriftiest Tourists:
5. Indonesian – US$1,198
4. Malaysian – US$1,145
3. Hong Kong – US$1,290
2. United Kingdom – US$1,297
1. Thailand – US$1,304

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