The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has released its comprehensive Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2024-2026 report.
This detailed analysis predicts tourism growth, focusing on specific source market-destination pairs within the Asia Pacific region, covering 39 destinations through three potential scenarios.
PATA CEO, Noor Ahmad Hamid, emphasizes the diverse recovery rates across destinations within the Asia Pacific. He notes the importance of recognizing these variations to understand future growth trends compared to the region’s overall progress.
The report forecasts a significant increase in international visitor arrivals (IVAs) to Asia Pacific, from 619 million in 2024 to 762 million in 2026. This growth indicates a recovery rate of 111.6% compared to pre-pandemic levels, showcasing Asia’s leading role in the tourism recovery, followed by the Americas and the Pacific.
The analysis stresses the importance of not viewing the data holistically due to varied recovery paces among destinations. Each location’s unique dynamics contribute to different recovery rates, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of the tourism landscape.
Out of the 39 destinations analyzed, 34 are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels, with Japan and the Maldives predicted to lead in recovery rates. Japan is expected to welcome 49.3 million visitors, and the Maldives 2.5 million visitors by 2026, both exceeding their 2019 visitor numbers.
Major source markets such as China, the US, the UK, and Australia are projected to maintain their influence in the Asia Pacific tourism sector. These markets are expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels by 2024, driven by their economic growth potentials.
Noor Ahmad Hamid also highlights the need for destination marketing organizations (DMOs) to adapt to rapid market changes. The success of destinations will depend on their agility and ability to respond to consumer preferences driven by user-generated content (UGC).
The report serves as a guide for forecasting international visitor numbers in the Asia Pacific from 2024 to 2026. It offers insights into changing opportunities, forecasts for individual destinations, and highlights key source markets, facilitating strategic planning for the post-COVID era.
PATA members can access a webinar titled “The Scientific Crystal Ball: Forecasting the Future Tourism Market,” which features expert panelists discussing travel trends and factors driving tourism recovery.
