Report details Asia tourism growth

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The 2001 annual statistical report just released by PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) shows that tourist arrivals to the region held steady at over 171.3m last year, in spite of the various global and regional upheavals

Within Pacific Asia, northeast Asia posted a 3% increase and southeast Asia 5.2%. The most notable increase within Asia came from Malaysia where arrival figures soared 25%. Other notable performers were Cambodia, China and Mongolia, which all saw percentage gains in excess of 10% in 2001. In the Pacific region, New Zealand increased by 6.9% and Fiji by 18.3%.

The report also shows detailed arrival statistics for 2001 compared to 2000 for more than 40 countries from American Samoa and Australia to Vanuatu and Vietnam. Much of the report compares outbound travel for over 100 countries in Pacific Asia over the last five years.

PATA said there appears to have been a relative shift in market-share of arrivals with northeast and southeast Asia gaining at the expense of south and central Pacific, south Asia and the Americas. Substantial decreases in arrivals to the Americas following the September 11 attacks, suggests a significant growth and shift in traffic to Asia.

The study also contains detailed data on average length of stay, visitor expenditure, currency exchange rates, average hotel room occupancy rates, national tourist organisation budgets and international air frequency and capacity.

• The PATA 2001 Annual Statistical Report costs $250 to PATA Members and $350 for PATA chapter members and non-members. For further information or to order email publications@pata.th.com