Asia remains the largest tourism growth market

After surging by seven% in 2018, during the first eight months of 2019 they rose by a further six per cent. This is in part due to international trips within Asia, which are a significant growth driver.

Despite an anticipated decline in year-on-year growth, the prospects for 2020 remain good. These are the findings of the first trend analysis of the World Travel Monitor, to be presented by IPK International at this year’s ITB Asia (16 - 18 October) in Singapore. The report was commissioned by ITB Berlin. The World Travel Monitor is based on the results of representative interviews with more than 500,000 people in over 60 global travel markets. It has been compiled for more than 20 years and is recognised as the most widescale continuous survey of global travel trends.

Growth in Asia’s outbound travel market exceeds global average

According to the World Travel Monitor, between January and August 2019 outbound travel from Asia rose by six%, once again making Asia the biggest growth driver in the international tourism market. ”Growth in Asia’s foreign travel market continues to exceed the global average, which during the first eight months of the year was only four%“, said Julia Muhlberger, marketing consultant, IPK International, at ITB Asia 2019.

A closer look at the latest figures shows a further upward trend in trips to destinations within Asia. During the first eight months of 2019, for the first time foreign trips within Asia accounted for nearly 80% of the market. During the same period European countries registered a slight increase in travellers from Asia. At 15%, they occupied a sound share of the market. In contrast, America’s popularity with Asian travellers fell for the third year running. The country now accounts for only 8% of the market.

City breaks are booming. Round trips have recovered slightly

Among Asians, city breaks remain by far the most popular form of outbound travel. They recorded the highest increase, as in the year before, and between January and August 2019 grew by a further nine%, occupying 35% of the market. Following a downturn last year, round trips recovered. Asia’s second largest holiday market grew slightly by three% and accounted a market share of 24%. Beach holidays continued the previous year’s upward trend, rising by 6% and occupying 21% of the market.

Travel agencies continue to play an important role

While Asians continue to rely heavily on the internet for information and bookings, nearly 50% of Asian travellers still attach great importance to the personal advice offered by travel agencies. Furthermore, they make much greater use of this individual service than the global average. The World Travel Monitor® shows that during the first eight months of 2019 85% of Asian outbound travellers booked over the internet but also 40% at travel agencies.

”Asia is playing an increasingly important role on the world’s tourism markets, as the World Travel Monitor® impressively shows. Together with ITB Asia in Singapore, ITB China and ITB India we are making our presence felt on the strongest growth markets, so that we are always in touch with this extremely dynamic travel market“, said Dr. Martin Buck, Senior Vice President, Travel & Logistics at Messe Berlin.

Slower growth expected in 2020

According to IPK International, in 2020 outbound travels by Asians will grow by five%, outpacing the forecasted global trend. Against the backdrop of global economic developments, the experts anticipate slightly lower growth rates for next year. These forecasts are based on the findings of the “World Travel Confidence Index” of IPK International, which as part of World Travel Monitor® polls people’s travel intentions for the next 12 months.

Source: traveldailynews.com