TNG Digital announced that international tourists spent over RM1 billion using TNG eWallet during the first six months of Visit Malaysia 2026.
The figure accounts for nearly half of the RM2.58 billion recorded in foreign visitor spending on the app since overseas user registration launched in April 2025.
Retail and F&B dominate 83% of transaction value
According to transaction data released by the company, 76% of all foreign visitor spending occurred at physical merchant locations across the country. Retail outlets made up 43% of the total transaction value, while food and beverage merchants accounted for 40%.
Top source markets for these transactions included Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, China, Thailand, and Australia.
The usage surge coincides with national efforts under Visit Malaysia 2026 to boost tourist arrivals and localised economic activity.
DuitNow QR network bypasses traditional card terminals
International visitors register on TNG eWallet using overseas mobile phone numbers, granting them direct access to Malaysia’s national DuitNow QR payment network.
This mechanism allows foreign users to scan and pay at micro merchants, street stalls, and small eateries that typically lack point of sale card terminals due to hardware costs.
TNG Digital CEO Alan Ni stated that small merchants and night market vendors were previously excluded from tourist expenditure due to expensive card acceptance infrastructure. Cross border QR interoperability effectively opens these smaller businesses to foreign payment flows.
App incorporates travel tools for foreign visitors
Besides digital payment processing, the app incorporates a Travel hub that lists public transport services, nearby attractions, and local promotional deals under its Near Me section.
TNG Digital stated it plans to expand merchant onboarding and payment functionality as Visit Malaysia 2026 progresses.
