Singapore has claimed the title of the world's most powerful passport – according to a 2023 global ranking based on official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – dethroning Japan which held the top spot for the past five years.
Among the world’s 227 travel destinations, Singapore citizens can visit 192 visa-free. The second most powerful passports – issued by Germany, Italy, and Spain – allow its holders to enter 190 destinations without a prior visa, while the third most powerful passports – held by citizens of Austria, Finland, France, Japan, Luxembourg, South Korea and Sweden – grant visa-free access to 189 destinations worldwide.
But to what extent are holders of the world’s highest ranked passports tapping their status to travel more frequently?
Latest data from YouGov Global Travel Profiles, which tracks global consumer demand and attitudes towards travel on a daily basis, reveals that – as of August 2023 – 73% of all consumers globally are planning to take one or more leisure/business/personal trips in the next 12 months.
Among countries with the world’s three most powerful passports, only Spain (81%), France (78%), Germany (77%) and Italy (75%) have a higher share of citizens who intend to travel in the next 12 months, compared to the global average.
Notably, holders of the current and previous most powerful passport – Singapore (57%) and Japan (47%) – have a significantly lower share of citizens who are planning one or more trips in the next 12 months.
Want more insights on the top destinations that travellers across markets globally are planning to visit in the next 12 months, and what influences their travel choices? Speak with us today.
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Methodology: YouGov Global Travel Profiles tracks global consumer demand and attitudes towards travel on a daily basis. Global Travel Profiles data for China is representative of the online population and weighted by age and gender. Learn more about Global Travel Profiles.
Photo by angeloNZ on Getty Images
