ASIA / PACIFIC INBOUND
ASIA / PACIFIC INBOUND FACTS & FIGURES Chinese tourists visiting Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia ASIA LEADS GLOBAL TOURISM GROWTH IN 2018 According to figures published by the UNWTO in June, Asia and the Pacific (+8%) recorded the highest growth across world regions this January-April 2018 period, after a 6% increase in 2017. Results in Asia were driven by South- East Asia (+10%) where most destinations posted strong results, particularly Vietnam (+28% through May) which has seen a surge in international tourists in recent years. Philippines enjoyed a 15% increase in arrivals this period and Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia all 14% growth. South Asian destinations (+9%) also enjoyed a strong start of the year, with Sri Lanka (+15%), Nepal (+13%), Maldives (+11%) and India (+9%) all reporting robust growth. International arrivals in North East Asia increased 6%, led by Japan (+15%), which has become a major destination in the region following six straight years of double-digit growth. Macao, China (+9%) and Hong Kong, China (+7%) also reported solid results, while data from China, the region’s largest destination is still pending for 2018. The continuous growth of Chinese outbound travel is an asset for all of Asia, the continent being well-placed to reap the benefits of China’s continuous travel boom. In addition, increased air travel competition, good value for money in services, easier visa entry facilities to an increasing number of Asian countries and quickly expanding transportation infrastructures are also stimulating travel demand in the region. INDIA’S INBOUND TOURISM BOOM: +15.6% IN 2017 India’s Minister of State for Tourism, KJ Alphons, told us his country is experiencing a boom in domestic and international tourism, with 10.2 million visitors received in 2017, up 15.6% on 2016, and that the introduction of e-visa has been the biggest game changer for the Indian Tourism Industry: “We now have a more liberalised e-visa regime is in place. The window period for application under the e-visa scheme has been increased from 30 days to 120 days to allow tourists plan their trip better. The stay duration has also been increased from 30 days to 60 days with double entry on e-tourist and e-business visas and triple entry on e-medical visas. This will bring cheer to citizens from 163 nations around the world planning to visit India.” The e-visa facility is now gives entry through 24 airports as well as five seaports (Cochin, Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai and Chennai) to tap cruise tourists from different countries. The requirement of doing bio-metric visas for cruise passengers in the five seaports has been deferred till 2020
ASIA / PACIFIC INBOUND TRENDING DESTINATIONS Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport #39 2018 Summer Edition 33 HONG KONG WINE & DINE PARADISE Primarily known as a high-end wine merchant in Hong Kong, Paulo Pong is Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Product and Events Committee. We asked him why he was chosen for the position… For my knowledge of wine and food. I established Altaya Wines 2001 as a boutique wholesale wine merchant and I am also the co-founder of restaurant business Classified Group. I have sat on the board of the Hong Kong Tourism Board for four years and it needed my help. Hong Kong is the event capital of Asia, with events such as the Dragon Boat Festival, which takes place every June. What kind of events are attracting tourists in the second part of the year? Not to be missed is of course the Wine & Dine Festival which will run from October 25-28. The 10th edition of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival brings together world-class food, drinks and entertainment right next to the stunning Victoria Harbour skyline. Aside from wine-pairing meals designed by master chefs and tasting classes by industry experts, there will be more than 400 booths featuring everything from single malts to craft beer to keep your palate refreshed. We have events almost every month in Hong Kong Paulo Pong Chairman, Product and Events Committee, Hong Kong Tourism Board HONG KONG GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH AS A GLOBAL MICE HUB What are the key assets of HK as a business destination and how is business tourism developing in Hong Kong? We put the question to Anthony Lau, Executive Director, Hong Kong Tourism Board. With its strategic location, safe and business friendly environment, visa-free policy for visitors from over 170 countries and regions, and superb aviation connectivity with the region’s key financial markets, Hong Kong is recognised as the world’s premier meetings, incentive, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) destination and business hub of Asia. Last year, we welcomed nearly two million MICE visitors to Hong Kong, representing a 2% increase from the previous year. What could change the face of tourism here? Before the end of 2018, we will see the completion and Anthony Lau Executive Director, Hong Kong Tourism Board commencement of operations of two major infrastructure projects – the Hong Kong– Zhuhai–Macao Bridge and the Express Rail Link Hong Kong Section – which will put Hong Kong within one hour’s reach of the Greater Bay Area and connected with the 20,000kmlong national high-speed rail network, which covers most major mainland cities. These exciting developments will further strengthen Hong Kong’s unrivalled position as the super-connector to the highgrowth Mainland China market and reinforce the city’s edge as the premier business hub in Asia
