PATA drums up business in the Gulf
DUBAI – Air capacity between the Gulf and Asia Pacific is booming, with non-stop air seat capacity growing at an average of 11% a year since 2000, PATA president and CEO Peter de Jong told travel and tourism leaders at an industry luncheon this week. ?
Addressing travel professionals from both the public and private sectors, de Jong said strong, two-way travel demand was driving the spectacular growth in seat capacity, expected to reach almost 365,000 seats per week by the end of 2007. ?
“Since 2003, we have seen visitor arrival growth rates from the Gulf as high as 54% to Macau and Malaysia, 43% to Hong Kong and almost 30% to Singapore.
“Last year, we saw over a million arrivals from the Gulf and we forecast that this is the beginning of a vast, new wave of travel in both directions,” de Jong said.?
Highlighting PATA’s advocacy programme, de Jong said PATA was committed to breaking down barriers to travel growth, such as antiquated bilateral agreements, over-zealous border controls and excessive taxation, while championing the development of sustainable, eco-friendly tourism
Ian Jarrett
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