Israelis Spend Most Abroad on Shopping, Japan Tops Average Spending Per Traveler

New data from Laya, part of Altshuler Shaham, reveals detailed insights into Israeli spending habits abroad based on July 2026 credit card transactions and cash withdrawals. Israelis allocate about one-third (33.8%) of their overseas expenses to shopping and retail, surpassing spending on dining (27.8%), although more Israelis dine out than shop while traveling.

Japanese convenience store chains Seven-Eleven and FamilyMart, along with public transportation in New York (MTA), are among the most frequented merchants by Israeli travelers. Other popular merchants include duty-free shops, Lawson convenience stores in Japan, Zara, Uniqlo, and London’s public transport services (TfL).

Thailand emerges as the most popular destination, with 18% of Israeli travelers making purchases there, yet it ranks only fifth or sixth in average spending per traveler. Japan ranks seventh in popularity but is second or third in average spending, with Israelis spending approximately 4,302 shekels per traveler, the highest worldwide. The United Arab Emirates serves mainly as a transit stop, with the highest single transaction cost (160 shekels) but the lowest overall spending per traveler.

Currency exchange patterns show that 70.4% of Israeli currency conversions abroad are to US dollars, even in non-dollar countries, as the dollar acts as an intermediary currency. The euro is second at 9%, followed by the Thai baht (6%), Japanese yen (2.5%), and British pound (1.4%). Thailand is notable for high cash usage, with over one-third of Israeli spending there in cash, contrasting with European countries like Greece, Italy, and Hungary, where cash accounts for less than 3.5% of expenditures.