Tokyo tops global travel rankings for summer 2025 says Mastercard

For the upcoming June to September 2025 period, travel data from the Mastercard Economics Institute reveals a clear trend: Japan has become the top global destination.

In a recent CNBC interview, Mastercard’s Chief Economist Michelle Meyer breaks down where and why people are traveling this summer.

Key Takeaways:

• For summer 2025, Tokyo and Osaka ranked #1 and #2 globally as travel destinations, surpassing cities like Paris in Mastercard’s data.

• Tokyo is the top destination for U.S. and Canadian travelers, driven in part by a weaker yen making Japan more affordable.

• During the 2024 World Series in LA, Japanese tourist spending surged 6x higher than typical cross-border spending, fueled by interest in Shohei Ohtani.

• Despite recent headlines, consumer travel remains strong according to real-time Mastercard spending data.

• Business travel is shifting: While overall volumes may fall, those traveling for work are extending trips and blending business with leisure.

• The concept of “purposeful travel” is growing — travelers are prioritizing experiences and value over volume.

• Not all destinations are booming: Places like Santa Monica have seen a surprising dip in foot traffic, even as Las Vegas stays busy.

• Michelle Meyer suggests that investor pessimism about travel stocks may be overdone, as actual data shows resilience across the sector.

Further Reading:

Mastercard Economics Institute Travel trends 2025: Purpose-driven journeys