Spending on Visa premium consumer cards rose 44% y-o-y during the summer holiday period, according to Visa Consulting & Analytics’ Retail Spend Monitor (pdf). The uptick reflects the growth of digital payments, along with higher value transactions, and changing travel and lifestyle preference, according to the report. Visa sees the jump as a clear signal that Egyptians are opting for convenience, security, and premium experiences in how they spend.

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This summer saw a 27% y-o-y jump in travel — across outbound tourist destinations and staycations. Some 78% of travelers started planning their trips less than one month in advance. Longer trips made up two-thirds of travel spend, while short-haul destinations including France, Germany, the UK, and Greece saw a 54% increase in short-trip spending.

Outbound spend grew 28% y-o-y, with premium cardholders accounting for nearly 81% of the total. Inbound travel spend also picked up, with visitors from the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan spending 35% more y-o-y. European visitors — led by France, Italy, and the Netherlands — drove a 139% increase in inbound spend.

Digital and e-commerce kept gaining ground: Digital spend among premium cardholders rose 85%, while e-commerce spending grew 55% y-o-y. Premium cardholders accounted for almost half of total summer spending.

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