A senior official from Visa Philippines has projected a continued upward trend in holiday expenditures among Filipinos this Christmas season. This positive outlook is anchored on data revealing an eight percent year-on-year growth in peak spending during the previous festive period.
December 23: The Peak of Filipino Holiday Cheer
The forecast stems from a Visa study released on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The research confirmed that December is consistently the highest-spending month for Filipinos annually. Josh Bosinos, Head of Data Analytics for Visa Philippines and Cambodia, pinpointed December 23 as the absolute peak day for domestic spending based on Visa card usage.
"Our analysis of spending habits in December 2023 and 2024 shows an eight percent annual growth rate in peak spending," Bosinos explained. He emphasized that this indicates Filipinos are dedicating significant resources to their December celebrations, a trend expected to persist. "So, that means Filipinos are really spending a lot during December, and it will continue to grow every year. And an expectation for this year, it will also grow at the same trend," he added.
Spending Trends: Local Holidays and International Travel
While domestic spending crescendos just before Christmas Eve, the data reveals a different pattern for Filipinos traveling abroad. For those on overseas year-end trips, the highest spending day typically falls on December 28.
The study also shed light on the behavior of international visitors to the Philippines. For inbound travelers using Visa cards, the largest portions of their budgets are allocated to lodging and entertainment. The report identified the top sources of these tourists:
- United States
- Taiwan
- Japan
Enabling Meaningful Celebrations Through Secure Payments
Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines, highlighted the deeper significance behind the numbers. "Christmas brings people together, and our data underscores the holidays’ enduring socio-cultural and economic significance to the country," he stated during the briefing.
Navarro connected this cultural importance to Visa's role. "For Visa, it’s important that we enable these personal journeys and experiences through payments that are fast, seamless, and secure, so that Filipinos and tourists alike can have meaningful celebrations anywhere across the country and abroad," he affirmed. The data ultimately paints a picture of a nation that prioritizes festive gatherings, with spending patterns reflecting both local traditions and growing international mobility.
