PATA Forecasts Strong Growth in Asia Pacific International Visitor Arrivals

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | June 12, 2023 | News

PATA

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has released updated forecasts for 39 Asia Pacific destinations, indicating a strong increase in international visitor arrivals (IVAs) until the end of 2025. The forecasts range from 705 million (mild scenario) to 516 million (medium scenario) IVAs in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 3.3% and 25% respectively.

By the end of 2024, IVAs are expected to exceed the 2019 benchmark level under the mild and medium scenarios, but fall short by 10% under the severe scenario in 2025. Mainland China is a key source market, with strong growth predicted but still short of the 2019 peak by around 6% by the end of 2025. The travel industry must remain vigilant and adapt to changing demands, taking into account ongoing challenges such as COVID-19, economic outlook, and rising travel costs. Visa emphasizes the need to understand the preferences of post-pandemic travelers and invest in data capabilities to offer personalized experiences.

Peter Semone, Chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) said, “while these forecasts are extremely encouraging, hurdles still remain, and the travel and tourism sector will require ongoing vigilance and operational flexibility as these issues present themselves over the coming years. While the COVID-19 outbreak is no longer at the global pandemic stage for example, it has not disappeared entirely, and we must come to grips with living with it for some time yet.”

He adds “In addition, the conflict in Ukraine, a softening global economic outlook with rising inflation and the increased costs of international travel will all have to be dealt with in ways that satisfy the increasingly diverse demands of the traveller of both today and tomorrow.”

David Fowler, Head of Cross-border & Sales Excellence, Asia Pacific, Visa, said, “PATA’s forecasts offer the travel industry with a much-needed and renewed sense of optimism after almost three years of border closures. Nonetheless, many headwinds lie ahead as traveller habits and preferences have changed substantially in a post-pandemic and hyper-digitalised world. The travel industry needs to understand the unique needs of travellers, many who are digital natives, in order to offer the flexible, novel and personalised travel experiences that they have come to expect.”

“Building data capabilities will continue to be a key area of investment for the travel ecosystem as it navigates the shifts in travel patterns through data insights, and in turn respond with data-backed customer engagement strategies. Visa has recently set up a new Centre of Excellence for travel in Asia Pacific dedicated to help clients and partners use data insights to maximise opportunities in the travel space. It is now more critical than ever that the travel industry is well-informed through data, so enterprises – especially smaller ones – and local communities can react faster as travel recovery accelerates across Asia Pacific.”

For editorial related queries, reach us at edit@eventfaqs.com