Sun is shining on Asian tourism trade

HONG KONG (AFP) - The sun is shining on the tourism trade in Asia-Pacific with double-digit growth notched up in 2010, spurred largely by Chinese and Indian middle classes packing their bags for a break abroad. Strong economies, the proliferation of low-cost airlines and a burgeoning constituency of online shoppers are adding to the region's rosy outlook. There was an 11-per cent rise in arrivals in the region overall last year, according to preliminary data from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). And 2011 is also expected to be a strong year. "Asia will receive international arrivals at close to double that of the world average growth rates," PATA's deputy CEO John Koldowski told the reporter. "It's Asians travelling to Asia, that's the key to all these numbers and the big shift we are seeing globally in the tourism market. It's all happening in Asia now." South Asia reported the strongest arrivals growth with a gain of 14 per cent, highlighting a record year for India which posted 5.6 million foreign inbound visits for the year, a nine-per cent increase. Over 70 million people went to Southeast Asia, 12 per cent up on 2009, with Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines all ratcheting up record growth. Australia and New Zealand and the Pacific islands also had a record year for tourist arrivals. The total travel market in Asia Pacific is expected to reach $212 billion this year, reflecting a near five per cent increase over 2010, according to industry analyst PhoCusWright.