PATA Reports Visitor Growth in Asia Pacific Region

The latest PATA figures show that the numbers of international visitors to the Asia Pacific region grew by 0.7 percent year-on-year in September 2009. Growth in arrivals for the region is still down by 5 percent year-on-year for the first nine months of 2009.

Two sub-regions recorded positive growth for the month. International visitor arrivals to Southeast Asia grew by 14 percent while arrivals to the Pacific were up 9 percent. The strong 25 percent growth in arrivals to Malaysia and the rebound in arrivals to Thailand (from a low base in September 2008) boosted overall arrivals growth into Southeast Asia.

Arrivals to most destinations in the Pacific also increased compared to September 2008. Australia (up 9 percent), New Zealand (up 9 percent) and Hawaii (up 8 percent) all showed positive trends.