Asia Pacific international arrival numbers improve

The Asia Pacific region welcomed six percent less international visitors in July 2009 compared to July 2008 according to data from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

However, the 6 percent fall was an improvement over the months of May and June which recorded year-on-year reductions of 10 percent and eight percent respectively.

During July 2009, international arrivals to South Asia increased two percent year-on-year and was mainly due to increased visitors to Sri Lanka (+28 percent) and Nepal (air only, +10 percent).

India also recorded an improvement in foreign arrivals while Southeast Asia improved to a year-on-year decline of less than -3 percent ? mainly due to a boost in arrivals to Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

In the same month, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Japan experienced double-digit declines for arrivals contributing to a Northeast Asia?s 6 percent decline in international arrivals.

However, there was increased demand for Korea (ROK) and Chinese Taipei, with growth for the month at seven percent and 13 percent respectively.

The Pacific recorded an aggregate international visitor number drop of five percent in July, a result driven in part by a steep fall in arrivals to Australia (?12.8 percent).

?These latest results confirm that the prevailing depressed market conditions are still having an impact on international travel flows and, while the global economy appears to be showing signs of renewed activity in some areas, it is doing so at a sluggish pace? said PATA Director John Koldowski.

?The reality is that there is no quick fix for the travel and tourism industry. We are still fighting to get back to ground zero.?

Sourced = e-Travel Blackboard