Asia and the Pacific recorded 6% growth in 2018, reaching 343 million international tourist arrivals. Arrivals in the region account for almost one-fourth of the worldwide total.
Results were driven by South-East Asia (+7%) where most destinations posted strong growth, particularly Vietnam, which has seen a surge in international tourists in recent years from virtually all world regions. Indonesia and Cambodia enjoyed double-digit increases in arrivals, thanks to continued robust demand from China and India. Thailand, the most visited destination in South-East Asia, as well as the Philippines also recorded strong growth on the back of higher visitor ows from China. Singapore also posted positive growth in 2018 thanks to good performance from several of its source markets.
Macao (China) and Hong Kong (China) also reported solid results. Meanwhile mainland China, the region’s largest destination recorded a 2% growth in the first three quarters of 2018. The opening of the Hong-Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge in October 2018 was expected to enhance connectivity and boost tourist flows between the three cities of the Greater Bay Area.
ITB China News 