ITB Asia News 2019 Day 1 Edition

ASIA - PACIFIC
REGION
23
APAC attracts more travellers
from around the world
According to the UNWTO, Asia-Pacific recorded a 6% rise
in international tourism in 2018, a trend which continues in
2019
In the first half of 2019, Asia–Pacific
continued to see strong tourism
growth, with a year-on-year rise of
6% over the previous half, according
to the September barometer of the
UNWTO. South Asia and Northeast
Asia reported 7% growth.
Confidence in global tourism performance
remains positive yet cautious and with signs of
moderate growth for the remainder of the year
according to the latest UNWTO Confidence
Index.
The World Tourism Organisation reported
6% growth for Asia and the Pacific in 2018,
reaching 343 million international tourist
arrivals, equivalent to 25% of the worldwide
total.
Results in 2018 were driven by South-East Asia
(+7%) where most destinations posted strong
growth, particularly Vietnam, a rising star in
the region. China but also India stimulated total
arrivals to the region. Indonesia and Cambodia
enjoyed double-digit increases in arrivals while
Thailand and the Philippines also recorded
strong growth thanks to Chinese travellers.
International arrivals in North-East Asia
increased 6% last year, led by South Korea
which was rebounding from a weaker 2017.
Japan continues its stellar tourism performance
of the last six years by recording a growth rate
of almost 19%. The country is now the third
most visited destination in Asia.
Macao (China) and Hong Kong (China) also
reported solid results. Meanwhile, mainland
China, the region’s largest destination recorded
a 2% growth in the first three quarters of 2018.
The opening of the Hong-Kong- Zhuhai-Macau
Bridge in October 2018 is expected to enhance
connectivity and boost tourist flows between
the three cities of the Greater Bay Area.
South Asia (+5%) also enjoyed a strong year,
with Nepal profiting from higher inbound from
India, China and European source markets
thanks to a number of promotional campaigns.
Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives all reported
sound results
6.2% HIKE IN
INCOMING TOURISTS
TO SINGAPORE
Singapore attracted approximately 18.5
million visitors in 2018, according to the
Singapore Tourism Board. This number was
a rise of 6.2% over 2017, which was likely
due to an increase in arrivals from Asia, USA,
and the United Kingdom. Top three markets
included visitors from China, Indonesia,
and India, due to strong travel demand and
increased flight connectivity. Indian travel
also escalated due to new cruise offerings
from top cruise lines. Overall, 14 out of
Singapore’s top 15 markets were able to log
growth in 2018 and are expected to continue
doing so through 2019. Speaking monetarily,
increase of tourism receipts was largely due
to growth in entertainment, gaming and
sightseeing.
AUSTRALIA SEES
MODEST RISE,
BUT LONG STAYS
DOMINATE
Tourism Australia reports modest growth
for the first half of 2019, with y/y change
up to the end of July of 2.9%. 9.36 million
travellers entered the country in the first
seven months; a rise of 260,500. While on
the surface, the figures appear to be low, the
fact that the average stay in Australia is 32
nights gives the nation a major advantage
when it comes to earnings through tourism.
63% are return visitors, and on average,
visitors spend over AU$5,000, amounting to
a total of over AU$44bn.
TOURISM RECEIPTS
Results among Asia’s top tourism earners
were solid, according to UNWTO. China
recorded a 30% increase up to September,
rebounding strongly from a decline in 2017
as a weaker Yuan has made the destination
more affordable. Japan and Macao also led
results with a 19% and a 16% increase in
tourism earnings respectively. Thailand
recorded an 8% increase, following several
years of double-digit figures.
ITB ASIA NEWS • Wednesday 16 October 2019