ForwardKeys report shows Asia Pacific tourism driving global arrivals
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ForwardKeys announced that tourism in the Asia Pacific is driving the current resurgence in global tourist arrivals.
The knowledge partner of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) presenter their report at this year’s WTTC Global Summit in Perth, Australia.
The report shows that international arrivals are up by 16 percent from 2023, largely fuelled by the opening of travel within the Asia Pacific following the pandemic.
WTTC president and chief executive Julia Simpson said of the report: “The region has an unparalleled opportunity to grow its Travel & Tourism sector in a way that not only drives economic growth but sets the standard for sustainability.
She added that the WTTC expects the tourism sector’s contribution to the regional economy to hit US$3.22 trillion, with up to 191 million individuals employed in the industry.
Slow but sure recovery
While the region still lags behind pre-pandemic levels, the current pace of year-on-year growth signals continued recovery and highlights the pent-up demand for travel within APAC.
This positive trend is set to continue through the end of the year, with double-digit growth in arrivals to China, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia fuelling a projected 19 percent overall increase.
Meanwhile, Oceania sees an increase of 10 percent, with arrivals to New Zealand and Australia being key drivers.
What Oceania is doing right
According to ForwardKeys’ director of intelligence and marketing Olivier Ponti: “Destinations like Australia and New Zealand, with a distinct peak season, face the challenge of balancing demand throughout the year. Effective data-driven strategies are crucial for mitigating the negative impacts of seasonal fluctuations, such as overcrowding during peak periods and underutilised resources during the off-season.”
Ponti added that sustainability long-term growth in the area may be achieved through the diversification of source markets and promoting year-round attractions.
A key factor in Australia’s tourism boom is the significant expansion of air connectivity. Airlines have increased overall capacity on international routes into the country by eight percent for the latter part of 2024, with higher growth in capacity from regional hubs like Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, China, and Singapore.
Australia’s tourism industry experiences a distinct seasonal ebb and flow. While the end-of-year holidays mark a peak period for travel, the southern hemisphere’s winter months see a significant dip in tourist activity. This pronounced seasonality contrasts sharply with destinations like Japan, which enjoys a more consistent flow of visitors throughout the year.
New Zealand, similar to Australia, experiences a pronounced peak season during the end-of-year holidays, but with an even sharper decline during its winter months, highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented by seasonal variations in tourism.
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