As Christmas celebrations take place across the country, Visa data shows a sharp rise in spending among Filipinos, highlighting the holiday’s strong impact on consumer behavior and travel activity.
Analysis by Visa Consulting and Analytics (VCA) identifies December as the busiest month for card transactions, with active payment volumes higher than at any other time of the year.
The data shows that Filipinos begin their Christmas shopping early, with local card transactions steadily increasing throughout the month.
Spending consistently peaks on weekends, with the highest transaction volumes recorded on December 23, the final weekend before Christmas Eve.
For Filipinos traveling overseas, spending patterns shift after Christmas. VCA data shows a spike in foreign transactions on December 29, followed by a gradual decline as the New Year approaches, reflecting sustained spending on leisure and travel during post-Christmas vacations.
Holiday spending is also geographically widespread. Six of the 10 cities with the highest transaction volumes are located outside Metro Manila. Makati and Parañaque lead overall spending, followed by Cebu, Angeles, and Davao, pointing to strong consumer activity beyond the capital.
Foreign spending within the Philippines also increases during the holiday season, driven by tourists and returning overseas Filipinos using foreign-issued cards.
Visitors from the United States account for the largest share of spending, followed by those from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.
Visa’s data also shows differing spending preferences among nationalities. Travelers from the United States, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, and Hong Kong spend the most on accommodations, while Taiwanese and Japanese visitors allocate more to entertainment.
Indian travelers show higher spending on education and government-related services, while Canadians and many Americans prioritize food and grocery purchases.
“Christmas brings people together, and our data underscores the holidays’ enduring socio-cultural and economic significance to the country,” said Jeffrey Navarro, country manager for Visa Philippines.
“For Visa, it’s important that we enable these personal journeys and experiences through payments that are fast, seamless, and secure, allowing Filipinos and tourists alike to celebrate meaningfully anywhere in the country and abroad.”
