Of the nine nationalities surveyed, Brazilians (63 per cent) were the most likely to believe that the world was heading towards a cashless society. They were followed by the Canadians (52 per cent) while British, Germans and Japanese followed with 43 per cent. Least optimistic, says the survey, were the Australians (22 per cent), Americans (27 per cent), Egyptians (39 per cent) and UAE citizens (39 per cent).

More than 700 globetrotters said that they already travel today with less than an average $100 in their pockets because payment cards are more convinient (67 per cent), safer (67 per cent) and easier to replace (64 per cent) than cash or cheques.

Thirty seven per cent of those surveyed said that cash has already been rendered obselete. And this is supported by today's payment choices of international travellers. Eighty per cent of those surveyed reach for payment cards when paying for hotel accomodations, 75 per cent when buying airline tickets, 71 per cent for car rentals, 58 per cent for meals and 63 per cent for shopping while on their travels.