PERTH, Australia, October 13 ------ International arrivals surged 16 percent at an annualized pace in January-August, largely fueled by the rapid recovery in the Asia Pacific region by 33 percent, according to a report released during the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in Perth.
Countries across Asia Pacific, particularly China, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia, saw double-digit increases in tourist arrivals, contributing to a projected 19 percent growth by year’s-end, a report from travel intelligence firm ForwardKeys showed. International arrivals in the Americas and Europe also grew 18 percent and 9 percent, respectively, in the first eight months of this year compared to last year. Oceania also posted a 10 percent rise in the same period, led by Australia and New Zealand. While the region has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, the current pace of growth signals a strong recovery, driven by pent-up demand for travel across Asia, said Olivier Ponti, director of intelligence and marketing at ForwardKeys. Australia saw a significant uptick in arrivals, especially from the United States.
Family bookings from the US surged 43 percent, indicating not only a rise in visitors but also a boost to the Australian economy, as family travelers typically spend more. China remained another key market for Australia, with tourist numbers expected to rise 25 percent before the end of the year. This surge in Australian tourism was supported by expanded air connectivity, as airlines have increased capacity on international routes to the country by 8 percent.
Earlier, WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson said the region’s travel and tourism sector is projected to contribute USD3.22 trillion to the global economy by the end of 2024, with nearly 191 million people employed across the the sector.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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