International visitors spent RM1 billion through the TNG eWallet during the first six months of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, highlighting the growing role of digital payments in driving tourism spending across the country.
The figure represents almost half of the RM2.58 billion spent by international tourists through TNG eWallet since April 2025, reflecting a rapid increase in usage during the national tourism campaign.
TNG Digital Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Alan Ni said the success of VM2026 should not be measured solely by the number of tourists visiting Malaysia, but also by how widely the economic benefits generated by tourism spending are distributed.
“Every visitor should be able to spend easily, and every business in Malaysia should have the opportunity to benefit from that spending,” he said in a statement.
Ni said many small businesses, hawkers and night market traders had traditionally struggled to benefit from international tourist spending because accepting card payments could be costly and operationally challenging.
By expanding Malaysia’s QR payment ecosystem to international visitors, he said TNG Digital was helping connect tourists directly with businesses of all sizes nationwide.
Visitors from Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, China, Thailand and Australia were among the biggest user markets of Malaysia’s secure and regulated QR payment ecosystem.
Ni said the ability for international visitors to register for TNG eWallet using overseas mobile numbers and make payments through the DuitNow QR network had helped bridge the gap for smaller businesses that previously faced barriers to accepting foreign cards.
“This allows visitors to spend conveniently at businesses of all sizes, from neighbourhood eateries and family-run shops to retail outlets, tourist attractions and transport services,” he said.
The spending pattern also showed that tourism expenditure was reaching physical businesses across Malaysia, with about 76% of transactions taking place at physical premises rather than online.
Retail accounted for 43% of the total transaction value by international visitors, while food and restaurants contributed another 40%.
According to Ni, the figures demonstrate how digital payments can help channel tourism spending towards everyday businesses and local operators.
Beyond payments, TNG eWallet also helps international visitors discover and enjoy more experiences in Malaysia through its Travel hub, which brings together nearby attractions, transport options and tourism services on a single platform.
