ID :
45278
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 15:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/45278
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ASIA PACIFIC THE TOP CHOICE FOR TRAVEL
SINGAPORE, Feb 12 (Bernama) - With the world economy getting depressed, tour
and travel industry players in the Asia Pacific region could breathe a sigh of
relief if a latest survey on travellers' preferences could be taken into
consideration.
The Visa and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Asia Pacific Travel
Intentions Survey 'Determining Travel Preferences in 2009 and Beyond' had named
Asia Pacific as the number one region for those intending to travel overseas in
the next two years.
"The survey reinforces the vital role this industry fills in the regional
economy," according to Visa Singapore and Brunei Country Manager and PATA Board
Director Meranda Chan in the survey released Wednesday.
Of the about 5,500 people surveyed from around the world, 60 percent said
they would travel to Asia Pacific.
North America and Western Europe trailed Asia Pacific at 35 percent of
respondents, the survey said.
The top three Asia Pacific destinations that leisure travellers surveyed
were considering between now and 2010 were Australia (43 percent), Japan (37
percent) and Hong Kong (35 percent).
Chan said PATA figures showed that international arrivals to Asia Pacific
destinations grew year on year by some 2.6 percent last year despite the
economic slowdown which created a serious impact on inbound traffic in the
second half of the year.
The industry accounted for more than 5.5 percent of the total gross domestic
product in the region, underscoring the importance of travel and tourism to the
vibrant economies of Asia Pacific, she added.
The survey also found that 36 percent of the respondents said they did not
expect to make any changes to their travel plans in the near future while 64
percent of respondents were reviewing their plans in the light of economic
uncertainty.
Among those respondents reviewing their plans, 57 percent said they would
still travel but would look for cheaper alternatives while 38 percent said they
would travel within their own country instead.
Only 36 percent said they would postpone their travel as a result of
economic uncertainty.
-- BERNAMA
and travel industry players in the Asia Pacific region could breathe a sigh of
relief if a latest survey on travellers' preferences could be taken into
consideration.
The Visa and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Asia Pacific Travel
Intentions Survey 'Determining Travel Preferences in 2009 and Beyond' had named
Asia Pacific as the number one region for those intending to travel overseas in
the next two years.
"The survey reinforces the vital role this industry fills in the regional
economy," according to Visa Singapore and Brunei Country Manager and PATA Board
Director Meranda Chan in the survey released Wednesday.
Of the about 5,500 people surveyed from around the world, 60 percent said
they would travel to Asia Pacific.
North America and Western Europe trailed Asia Pacific at 35 percent of
respondents, the survey said.
The top three Asia Pacific destinations that leisure travellers surveyed
were considering between now and 2010 were Australia (43 percent), Japan (37
percent) and Hong Kong (35 percent).
Chan said PATA figures showed that international arrivals to Asia Pacific
destinations grew year on year by some 2.6 percent last year despite the
economic slowdown which created a serious impact on inbound traffic in the
second half of the year.
The industry accounted for more than 5.5 percent of the total gross domestic
product in the region, underscoring the importance of travel and tourism to the
vibrant economies of Asia Pacific, she added.
The survey also found that 36 percent of the respondents said they did not
expect to make any changes to their travel plans in the near future while 64
percent of respondents were reviewing their plans in the light of economic
uncertainty.
Among those respondents reviewing their plans, 57 percent said they would
still travel but would look for cheaper alternatives while 38 percent said they
would travel within their own country instead.
Only 36 percent said they would postpone their travel as a result of
economic uncertainty.
-- BERNAMA
