Asia Pacific arrivals grow 6% in August 2011: PATA
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Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) released results showing 6% year-on-year growth in August 2011 for international arrivals into Asia Pacific destinations. South Asia was the second fastest growing sub-region in August 2011. With the exception of India, there was across-the-board double-digit increase in arrivals to the sub-region’s individual destinations. Arrivals to India grew at a more moderate pace of 5% during the month, but remained significant in volume terms. India welcomed an additional 20,000 more visitors in August 2011 compared to August 2010.
Even with economic uncertainty in Europe and North America, growth in international visitor arrivals into the Asia Pacific region has remained steady over the first eight months of 2011. South Asia has set the pace of expansion this year with a 14% increase in international visitors. Southeast Asia is close behind with a 12% increase while Northeast Asia and the Pacific grew by 4% and 1% respectively during the January to August period, year-on-year.
In August, travel to Southeast Asia grew by 15%, up from 11% in July. Thailand (+35%), Vietnam (+29%), Cambodia (+21%), Singapore (+18%) and Philippines (+11%) reported stronger international arrivals growth in August compared to July. Growth for Myanmar and Indonesia, however, was lower compared to July 2011. Overall, growth remains healthy for Southeast Asia.
Bill Calderwood, PATA Interim CEO, said: “International arrivals momentum into the Asia Pacific region continues to hold at a relatively strong rate. Many destinations are performing above that 6% aggregate average. A few Asia Pacific destinations are facing difficulties with contracting numbers of visitors.”