Top spenders and top destinations in the world

That’s according to a recently released report from Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study 2013, described as a barometer of travel trends around the world.

After surveying 12,630 travelers from 25 countries, the report found that Saudi Arabians are the top spenders, shelling out an average of $6,666 per trip.

Aussies spend an average of $4,118 while abroad, while Chinese holidaymakers spend $3,824.

On a global scale, the average travel budget is projected to spike from $2,390 per trip to $2,500 this year.

Where that differs dramatically, meanwhile, is within Asian markets — particularly in Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong — where travel budgets are expected to nearly double (46 percent) that of their last trip.

The results of the report suggest either economic recovery or a growing appetite for larger travel budgets, says Visa.

‘Most popular countries’

Meanwhile, the most popular travel destination both in recent months and for 2013 is the US, as 17 percent of respondents said they traveled to the country in the last two years, while 10 percent said they were planning a trip to the US within the year.

Other top destinations over the last two years included the UK and France (both 12 percent), China, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong (all 10 percent).

And 31 percent of global travel is expected to take place in Asia this year, says the report, with Australia and South Korea emerging as some of the preferred destinations for future travel.