Consumer spending in the Philippines spikes during the Christmas season, with Filipinos showing a notable increase in spending, according to data from global payments platform Visa.

“You will see that throughout the year, Filipinos are progressing in terms of spending... as expected in December,” Visa Consulting and Analytics (VCA) head of data science for the Philippines and Cambodia Josh Bosinos said at Visa Philippines’ Christmas spend trend launch on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

He noted strong consumer activity during the holiday season, saying, “December spending, as compared to December 2023 versus December 2024... there’s an eight-percent growth in peak spending.” He added that Filipinos are really spending a lot during this period.

Bosinos emphasized that Christmas spending is “continuously growing every year,” stressing that “an expectation for this year is that it will also grow at the same trend.”

“So, I don’t believe that we are poor as a country because we are really spending a lot every year, and it grows every year,” he added.

Visa data showed that Filipino spending steadily increased from Dec. 1, 2024, to Jan. 1, 2025, reflecting heightened consumer activity toward the New Year. It added that the peak of domestic spending was recorded on Dec. 23 before it went down on Christmas Day.

It also noted that overseas spending by Filipinos who travel abroad peaks on Dec. 29, suggesting that many Filipinos go overseas after Christmas.

Bosinos emphasized that travelers from the United States (US) are the biggest contributors to inbound tourism spending in the Philippines during the Christmas season, with most Visa card transactions recorded in the Metro Manila cities of Makati and Parañaque. He explained that inbound spending likely comes from a mix of balikbayans and foreign visitors who use their Visa cards for in-person transactions while in the country.

These travelers also come from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, Canada, India, Hong Kong, and China.

Visa data further showed a diversity of spending outside National Capital Region (NCR), including Cebu City, Angeles City, Davao City, Lapu-Lapu City, Olongapo City, and Mandaue City, which also drive inbound tourism spending.

Meanwhile, Visa Philippines Country Director Jeffrey Navarro emphasized that Visa is part of the transportation sector, particularly through its partnership with GCash and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT).

He added that the company is working to expand its presence to Light Rail Transit (LRT), noting that the initiative is still underway. “We’re still working on that one. We were initially targeting this year, but it looks like it’s going to be coming soon.”

Navarro also highlighted plans to expand Visa services to 7-Eleven stores, noting that there are currently 700 locations, with a target of reaching 1,000 by year-end. “Currently, we’re already at 700 locations. And we’re hoping by quarter one next year, we’ll be over most of it,” he said.

“On top of that, we’ve also been investing a lot on the ‘sexier side’ of the industry,” he added. “We’re the preferred payment partner for BLACKPINK.”