By Business & Finance 
As travellers increasingly prioritise experiences over possessions, seamless digital payments have become a critical part of the customer journey. New research from Paysafe explores how evolving consumer expectations are reshaping travel and what businesses must do to keep pace.
As Europe enters its peak summer travel season, one trend has become increasingly clear: travellers are placing greater value on experiences than possessions. Whether it’s dining in local restaurants, exploring new destinations, or seeking memorable adventures, consumers are prioritising the moments that make a trip meaningful. At the same time, expectations around how those experiences are paid for have grown significantly.
Recent research from Paysafe’s Experience Economy Report 2026, Summer Travel, found that travel demand remains exceptionally strong, with 91% of consumers planning or considering a leisure trip this summer. Yet today’s traveller is behaving differently from previous generations. Rather than locking in every detail months in advance, many are keeping their options open and making more decisions closer to departure or while already on their trip.
This shift reflects the broader rise of the experience economy, where consumers increasingly prioritise meaningful experiences over material goods. The travel sector is perhaps the clearest illustration of this trend. According to Paysafe’s research, half of travellers expect to spend more on experiences during their trips, compared with just 19% who anticipate spending more on shopping.
For businesses operating in tourism, hospitality, retail and entertainment, this changing consumer mindset presents both opportunities and challenges. Travellers are no longer simply booking transport and accommodation; they’re actively seeking activities that create lasting memories. Dining experiences, cultural attractions, sporting events, festivals and outdoor adventures are becoming increasingly important drivers of travel spending. Relaxation remains the leading motivation for travel globally, cited by 66% of travellers, but cultural exploration, adventure and shared experiences with friends and family are also key priorities.
Yet while spending remains resilient, consumer expectations have evolved beyond the experiences themselves. The ability to pay seamlessly has become an increasingly important component of the overall travel experience.
Traditionally, payments were viewed as a transactional back-office function. Today, they are becoming a visible part of the customer journey. Travellers expect payment experiences to be fast, reliable and frictionless, whether they are booking accommodation online, purchasing concert tickets or paying for a restaurant meal while abroad.
The research highlights the importance of getting this right. Four in ten travellers have experienced a payment-related issue while travelling, while 45% have abandoned a purchase because of payment difficulties. The most common problems include payment methods not being accepted, unexpected fees and declined transactions.
These findings have significant implications for businesses across the travel ecosystem. A payment failure no longer represents a minor inconvenience; it can directly result in lost revenue. With travellers increasingly making spontaneous, in-the-moment purchases, merchants often have only one opportunity to convert customer intent into a completed sale. When friction occurs, many consumers simply move on.
The rise of digital payment options is helping address these challenges. Nearly three in ten travellers are using digital wallets, while 62% say they are confident they can pay with their mobile phone while travelling. At the same time, consumers are adopting multiple payment methods to reduce risk, with 70% planning to carry payment backups during their trips. This demonstrates that flexibility and choice have become essential expectations rather than optional extras.
For Irish businesses serving domestic and international travellers, the message is straightforward. As spending increasingly shifts toward experiences, the quality of the payment experience can have a direct impact on customer satisfaction, conversion rates and long-term loyalty. Seamless payments enable consumers to focus on enjoying the moment rather than worrying about how to complete a transaction.
Paysafe is a global payments platform powering the experience economy, helping consumers and businesses connect through seamless, secure digital payment solutions. Ireland plays a particularly important role in Paysafe’s European operations. The company’s Dublin office serves as a key hub for talent, innovation and operational excellence, supporting customers and partners across Europe and beyond. As Paysafe continues to support businesses operating within the experience economy, its growing Dublin team remains central to the company’s growth strategy and commitment to developing innovative payment experiences for consumers worldwide.
