Kuala lumpur: TNG eWallet's international visitors spent over RM1 billion through the application in the first six months of Visit Malaysia 2026 as more used Malaysia's domestic quick response (QR) payment ecosystem to spend seamlessly at businesses nationwide, said TNG Digital Sdn Bhd.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the digital financial services and lifestyle application operator stated that the spending amount accounts for nearly half of the RM2.58 billion in inbound tourist spending recorded through TNG eWallet since its introduction in April 2025. Significant visitor markets during this period included Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, China, Thailand, and Australia, with travelers from these regions utilizing Malaysia's domestic QR payment ecosystem.
TNG Digital highlighted the growing expectation among international visitors for cashless payment experiences, noting that many small, micro, and informal businesses have historically been unable to accept card payments due to the costs associated with card acceptance infrastructure. Consequently, a significant portion of tourist spending has historically been concentrated among larger merchants that readily accept foreign cards. The report noted that 76% of transactions occurred at physical merchant locations rather than online, indicating that spending was taking place across Malaysia's physical merchant ecosystem.
The company further detailed that retail accounted for 43% of inbound transaction value, while food and restaurant merchants contributed an additional 40%, emphasizing how digital payments are facilitating tourism spending in reaching everyday Malaysian businesses.
TNG Digital's chief executive officer, Alan Ni, stated that the success of Visit Malaysia 2026 will not be measured solely by the number of visitors Malaysia attracts, but by how widely the economic benefits are shared. He emphasized the importance of every visitor being able to spend easily and every Malaysian business having the opportunity to benefit from that spending.
Ni acknowledged that many small businesses, hawkers, and night market stalls have traditionally been excluded from international tourist spending due to the cost and operational challenges associated with accepting card payments. By extending Malaysia's QR payment ecosystem to international visitors, TNG Digital is aiding in connecting tourists directly with businesses of all sizes across Malaysia.
As Visit Malaysia 2026 progresses, TNG Digital plans to continue expanding merchant participation and enhancing the payment experience for international visitors.