Evaluating The Awareness and Usability of QRIS Payment Method Among Indonesian Travelers in Integrated ASEAN Countries (A View of Past, Present, and Future Usage)

Abstrak

This study examines the awareness and usability of the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) among Indonesian travelers in ASEAN countries by analyzing past, present, and future usage patterns. Introduced by Bank Indonesia in 2019, QRIS is a unified digital payment system designed to support financial inclusion and facilitate cross-border transactions. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to explore travelers’ awareness, experiences, and future intentions regarding QRIS usage abroad.  Findings from Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand indicate that while Indonesian travelers exhibit a moderate level of awareness of QRIS, actual usage remains limited, with 74% of respondents reporting that they have never used QRIS during travel. Survey results reveal key barriers including technical and connectivity issues, limited merchant acceptance, and a strong preference for cash or card payments. These results are reinforced by interview findings, which show that many travelers, particularly from non-urban backgrounds, were unaware of QRIS usability abroad, while those who attempted to use it experienced accessibility and transaction failures, leading them to revert to traditional payment methods. Despite these challenges, both survey and interview data indicate growing interest in cashless payments, suggesting opportunities to increase QRIS adoption through improved infrastructure, expanded merchant networks, and targeted socialization and education initiatives. The study provides policy-relevant insights for strengthening cross-border payment integration and digital financial inclusion in ASEAN.