The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has released preliminary figures for international visitor arrivals into Asia and the Pacific for the month of August, indicating a year-on-year growth of ten per cent. Travel sentiment generally remained robust across the region, as a stabilising global economy together with increased airline seat capacity and frequency supported the demand for travel during the northern hemisphere summer holiday period. Nevertheless, August 2010 growth was slower than the 14-16 per cent level seen in the previous three months, largely due to its comparison with post-recession rebound of August last year. To date, visitor arrivals have grown by a positive 12 per cent during the first eight months of the year. All sub-regions benefited from the continued strong demand for travel though growth in the Pacific sub-region was a little more subdued.

International arrivals growth to South Asia was a strong 14 per cent in August, supported by double-digit increases in inbound numbers to the Maldives (+27 per cent), Nepal (+24 per cent) and Sri Lanka (+36 per cent). Arrivals to India grew at a more moderate pace of nine per cent, but remained significant in volume terms as the destination accounts for 70 per cent of the total inbound visitors to the sub-region. South Asia continued to lead other Asia and the Pacific sub-regions with arrivals growth of 13.9 per cent for the first eight months of this year. 

Northeast Asia was the second fastest growing sub-region behind South Asia, registering a year-on-year increase in arrivals of 11 per cent. There were generally across-the-board double-digit increases in arrivals to the sub-region’s destinations, with the sole exception of China which welcomed six per cent more visitors, including arrivals from Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR. Foreign arrivals to China (excluding those from the two SARs) surged 17 per cent, significantly reinforcing what was an impressive month for the sub-region as a whole. Growth for the first eight months for Northeast Asia was a robust 12 per cent.

Travel demand to Southeast Asia grew by ten per cent, down from the 16 per cent level seen in July this year. Only Myanmar reported stronger arrivals growth this month than the last year. Growth for the other destinations in the sub-region was, however, generally lower compared to last July's, though many still reported double-digit rates of growth. Indonesia and Malaysia were the exceptions with arrivals growing at a subdued four per cent and three per cent respectively for the month. In spite of a slight slowdown in August this year, growth in arrivals to Southeast Asia was still a strong 13 per cent for the first eight months of the year.

The Pacific recorded an eight per cent improvement in arrivals in August this year compared to the same month last year with Australia and New Zealand reporting increases of nine per cent and four per cent respectively. The island destinations of the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Northern Marianas, New Caledonia and Palau also recorded arrivals growth for the month. Overall, international visitor arrivals to the Pacific were up by five per cent for the first eight months of 2010.

Kris Lim, Director, Strategic Intelligence Centre (SIC), PATA said, “The growth momentum remains strong and the immediate outlook remains positive. Early indications have suggested another strong performance in September this year as key destinations such as China, Hong Kong SAR and Singapore have continued to report strong inbound growth. However, it is worth noting that growth in the last quarter of the year is expected to be slower than what we have seen so far this year. This is because the results going forward will be measured against the higher travel base of last year when the economic recovery in Asia and the Pacific began to set in strongly.”