Asia Pacific tourism on a roll
BALI -– There were close to 356 million international trips to Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) member destinations in 2006, representing region-wide year-on-year growth of 5.3% over 2005.
This was revealed by the “PATA Annual Statistical Report 2006” launched Tuesday during a strategic intelligence workshop at the ongoing PATA Travel Mart 2007 in Bali, which has set a new year-to-date record for arrivals.
PATA Director-Strategic Intelligence Centre, John Koldowski, said 2006 was very successful in terms of international visitor arrivals (IVAs) into and within Asia Pacific.”
The following destinations posted “best-ever performances” in 2006:
• Chile, in the Americas;
• Bhutan, India and Pakistan, in South Asia;
• China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Korea, Macau SAR and Mongolia, in Northeast Asia;
• Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, in Southeast Asia; and
• Australia, Cook Islands, Hawaii, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea and Samoa, in the Pacific.
“Asia Pacific may attract up to 380 million IVAs in 2007,” added Koldowski “So far this year the region has added 13.8 million international visitor arrivals compared to the same period in 2006, an expansion of 7.1% year-on-year.”
However a number of issues and trends could affect international travel flows to and within the region in the short and medium term.
Among them are:
• Jet fuel prices, which account for 28% of airlines’ operating costs in 2007 (in 2003 jet fuel prices accounted 14% of costs)
• Political uncertainty, with major elections scheduled in regional destinations
• Climate change; the industry’s response and political implications
• Intra-regional and cross-border traffic will continue to dominate
• Continuing expansion of road and air routes throughout Asia
• The effects of new aircraft; the A380 and B787
• The progression of sub-orbital flight technology and space tourism
“Since 2002, IVAs to and within Asia Pacific have grown at an average annual rate of 6.2%,” said Koldowski. “Assuming no external shocks, PATA forecasts continued positive performance, at least in the medium-term.”
For more information on the report, visit www.PATA.org/catalogueor
email: [email protected].
Corinne Wan
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