South Asia is showing a strong recovery with the number of visitors to India expected to surpass 2019 levels by 6 pc
In the Q3 2023, Asia Pacific destinations have shown a travel recovery to over 50 pc of their pre-pandemic international arrival volumes and the on-the-book tickets for arrivals during the Q4 are showing a marked improvement, currently tracking just 25 pc below the same moment in 2019, says a report by travel technology firm ForwardKeys.
Presenting the report at a tourism forum in Guilin, China, co-organised by UNWTO and PATA, ForwardKeys reported that the Asia Pacific region is recovering the fastest but, the Middle East is already on track to exceed 2019 levels during the fourth quarter, and the Americas are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels.
According to the press statement, the total international outbound travel has been following a similar trend. The Americas are leading the way in terms of outbound travel recovery thanks to the strength of the US Dollar and a significant increase in flight capacity.
ForwardKeys data says that South Asia is showing a strong recovery with the number of visitors to India expected to surpass 2019 levels by 6 pc. This is due to the ambitious fleet renewal and expansion programmes by Air India and IndiGo, which have placed orders for 470 new aircraft, including fuel-efficient models. As a result, India is becoming an increasingly influential player in the travel industry.
The report cites that in Oceania, Fiji is making notable progress towards recovery, despite accounting for only 8 pc of the total arrivals in the region. However, flight availability and staffing remain key challenges for inbound tourism. The pandemic has significantly impacted the local tourism industry, resulting in a loss of workers.
The statement adds that many agencies have shifted their focus to the domestic market, which is seen as a safer and more stable option. Domestic travel in Australia has experienced 17 pc growth, while New Zealand is set to experience a 4 pc increase in Q4.
Southeast Asia faces a 29 pc gap compared to 2019 numbers. According to the survey, the region has been impacted by several factors, including a slow rebound in flight volumes, increased travel costs, and safety-related concerns. Negative news stories, such as the shooting incident in Bangkok and telecommunication fraud in Myanmar, have also affected the appeal of some key destinations.
Meanwhile, Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea are showing promising signs of recovery in Northeast Asia. Japan and South Korea’s resurgence is primarily due to travel between these two nations and arrivals from long-haul markets like North America and Western Europe. Hong Kong is drawing in a larger number of tourists from within Asia.
Events tourism
The Asian Games have had a significant impact on travel to Hangzhou in China, says the data. During the week leading up to the Games, from September 18 to October 8, flight ticket sales increased by an impressive 47 pc when compared to 2019 levels. Moreover, the Asian Games are expected to bring long-term benefits to Hangzhou. Tourist interest has been sustained even after the Games have ended, with flight bookings for Christmas already 11 pc higher than in 2019.
The report includes that the music industry has made a strong comeback in the post-pandemic economy, proving to be a major driver of economic growth, and bringing along various benefits that come with live concerts. In 2023, a significant trend in the concert industry was noticed as more international artists preferred specific Southeast Asian countries for their tours, with Singapore standing out as a prominent destination.
The report says that looking ahead to 2024, during Coldplay’s concert period, there is a 241 pc increase in travel from neighbouring Southeast Asian countries to Singapore, which is way higher than the overall 19 pc increase seen in January. For Taylor Swift’s concert in March, the latest data shows a 380 pc increase in travel, compared to the overall Q1 outlook of 37 pc. These travellers are mainly individuals or couples, with an average length of stay of 3 days.
According to the data, music tourism is becoming increasingly popular, with fans travelling across borders to attend concerts and festivals. Singapore is a prime example of a destination that has benefited from hosting such events, thanks to its advanced infrastructure, regional connectivity, stable governance, and strong security measures. As a result, the country has seen a boost in tourist arrivals and serves as a blueprint for other nations to follow.
