Asia dominates hot-spot heatmap

LONDON - WTM 2013 - REPORT: More than 1,200 (1,277) senior travel executives from around the globe were asked to identify which countries have the greatest tourism potential.

Of the top thirty destinations named, almost one-third are in Asia. Although the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) still dominate in terms of potential, Asian countries lead the chasing pack. The nine Asian countries which the industry tipped as up-and-coming powerhouses are (in order): China, Vietnam, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Cambodia and Phillipines. The findings reflect official statistics which show that the continued growth in world tourism numbers is being driven by Asia.

The latest UNWTO figures for the first six months of 2013 show Asia outperforming other regions. Globally, international visitor numbers are up year-on-year by 5%. The increase for Asia and the Pacific as a whole is 6%, with south-east Asia up by 12% and south Asia by 7%. Reed Travel Exhibitions, Senior Director World Travel Market, Simon Press said: "Asia is clearly the continent with the greatest travel and tourism potential. China leads the way due to its 1.354 billion people, but there is a long list of Asian countries with great potential.”

Sourced: TravelDailyNews