Singaporeans Lead in Demand for Integrated Travel Apps, But Don’t Trust AI for Payments

Mobile wallets are now the preferred method of payment when traveling.

Singaporeans are among the most enthusiastic users of integrated digital wallets globally, but privacy concerns and a preference for human control are holding back the full adoption of AI-powered commerce, according to research from Ant International, conducted in partnership with S&P Global.

The study surveyed 6,000 consumers across nine markets in Asia, Europe and the US and found that consumers in Singapore, China, Thailand and Malaysia showed higher demand for an integrated experience in a single app than their counterparts in Japan, Germany and Western markets.

The results highlight a growing gap between consumer expectations for seamless mobile payments and the available infrastructure to support them.

Mobile payments are now the preferred method for everyday spending in destinations, with 63% of consumers already using them for the majority of their travel transactions.

However, tensions remain. More than half cite concerns about transaction security (62%), exchange rates and fees (56%) and merchant acceptance (53%). One in four people still carry cash as a backup option.

Cost patterns are shifting toward local expertise. Food, drink and local attractions are now seeing the biggest increases in traveler spending, up 67% and 66% respectively, with more than half spending more at local stores and eateries than at malls or chain restaurants.

Some 81% of consumers use AI tools to research and plan travel, but only 26% expressed interest in using AI for payments and autonomous decision-making.

Privacy concerns remain high at 43%, with two in five saying they prefer to plan their own trips and a third preferring human advice.