Asia 'dominating regional tourism boom'

Figures have been released showing that Asian countries are dominating the 'tourism boom' taking place in the wider Asia Pacific region.

In June 2011, visitor arrivals in destinations across Asia and the Pacific increased by 6% compared to the same month last year.

South-east Asia performed strongly with 15.5% year-on-year growth, partly thanks to a 54% rise in the number of people travelling to Thailand.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) also revealed double-digit increases in tourist numbers in Nepal (38%), the Maldives (27%) and Sri Lanka (20%), all of which contributed to expansion of the travel industry in south Asia.

Kris Lim, director of Pata's Strategic Intelligence Centre, said: 'The first-half year growth of around 5%, given the challenges the industry has faced so far this year, underlines the resilience of travel and tourism in the Asia/Pacific region.'

Mr Lim also highlighted the importance of expanding flight networks and increasing airline seat capacity in the region.

Overall arrivals at destinations in Asia and the Pacific are expected to reach 433m this year, compared to 408m in 2010.

Source - opodo.co.uk