New data from YouGov’s report Singapore’s International traveler outlook 2026 shows that rising costs and changing perceptions of value are reshaping how Singaporeans approach international travel in 2026.

A strong appetite, but growing caution

Nearly three in five Singaporeans typically travel overseas for leisure at least once a year (59%), with higher-income travellers remaining the most frequent flyers (78%). But 2025 signalled a shift: three in ten (29%) cut back on international trips, largely due to financial pressures. Younger travellers bucked the trend, with Gen Z and Millennials more likely to have travelled more than last year (22%).

Cost pressures driving new behaviours

Around two-third of travellers (65%) say rising expenses affected their travel decisions in 2025, particularly higher transport and accommodation costs (74% and 65%, respectively). Looking ahead to 2026:

  • 34% are likely to reduce the number of international trips
  • 36% will seek more affordable destinations
  • 13% will continue travelling as usual despite higher costs, rising to 21% among higher-income travellers

Off-peak travel and early booking (49% each) have become the most common strategies to manage costs.

Shifting perceptions of value and destinations

  • Value for money: When asked about the perceived value for money of the top 10 most popular destinations for travelers, Malaysia was most likely to represent better value for money compared to last year (40%), followed by Japan (38%), and China (34%).

  • Consideration: Japan remained the top-ranked destination for consideration, with nearly half of Singaporean holidaymakers (46.5%) saying they would consider visiting. China recorded the largest year-on-year gain in consideration (+6.6), followed by Malaysia (+4.1).
  • Impression: China and Malaysia also led improvements in net impression scores, rising by +9.3 and +3.5, respectively.

A more selective traveller emerges

As 2026 unfolds, Singaporeans remain eager to explore the world but are making more strategic choices—seeking better value, planning earlier, and reassessing destination priorities. Despite cost pressures, the desire for meaningful international experiences remains robust.

Download the full report here.

Methodology

The insights in this report were sourced via YouGov Surveys: Serviced, providing rapid answers from the right audience and YouGov DestinationIndex.

The multi-region survey was conducted from October 20, 2025 – November 11, 2025, with 1,006 respondents in Singapore.

Impression improvers rankings are based on respondents’ answers to the following question: “Overall, of which of the following destinations do you have a Positive/Negative impression?”

Consideration rankings are based on respondents’ answers to the following question: ”Thinking about your next vacation by air alone or with friends, family, a partner or spouse, which of the following destinations would you consider?"

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