Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia remain a hot place this year and February only improved the positions of this region. The total number of arrivals in Southeast Asia increased to 10%, while in some countries the growth is even more impressive. For example, the rise of tourism in February estimated 29% in Myanmar and 22% up in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Asia Pacific increase estimated 5% in February. The growth of travellers in this region was also caused by the Lunar New Year that was celebrated in the first week of February in 2011.
The only country that doesn’t share this positive trend is Japan. In March the inbound and outbound demand fell down by 50% and 18%. The country’s officials hope for a quick return to normal figures as the country hasn’t been affected by the earthquake much. According to Kris Lim, PATA’s director of strategic intelligence, this year the geography of popular tourist destinations will change. This is caused by the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the political unrest in North Africa and the Middle East. However, these events will have a short-term effect.
South Asia continues to be among the leaders in terms of influx of tourists. Hotels in India and Sri Lanka served 15% more tourists in February 2011. This is also caused by the hosting of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Hotels in Maldives show the increase in bookings of 13%, in Nepal – of 12%.
Northeast Asia didn’t show such tremendous performance as the growth here estimated just 3%. However, even these 3% added over 1.4 million of visitors.