Vietnam to lead Asia-Pacific destinations in tourist growth
Vietnam is predicted to lead Asia-Pacific destinations in terms of average annual growth over the next five years, according to the recently-released Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2019-2023 report from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
Ha Long Bay, one of popular sites of Vietnam. Photo: Vietnam Travel Guide
The report delves deeper into origin-destination pairs for 40 Asia-Pacific destinations as well as, where data permits, tourism receipts and income and price elasticities.
It forecasts average growth of 14 per cent in international tourist arrivals to Vietnam during the 2018-2023 period.
Following is Papua New Guinea and Laos, each of which will see average annual growth well in excess of the Asia-Pacific average between 2018 and 2023, of 5.5 per cent.
Asia-Pacific destinations are forecast to receive an aggregate inbound count of close to 728.4 million international visitor arrivals in 2019, over 40 million more than in 2018. China, Turkey, and Hong Kong SAR are predicted to lead the way, with annual increases of 7.4 million, 4 million, and 3.7 million foreign arrivals, respectively.
Earlier this year, Vietnam was listed as one of top 20 most beautiful countries in the world by Rough Guide, from the impressive rock formations of Ha Long Bay off the northern coast and the terraced rice fields of the mountainous Sapa region on the Chinese border, to the modern skyscrapers of Ho Chi Minh City and the appealing contrast in Hanoi between the old and the new. The country, Rough Guide wrote, has rebounded with vigor in the 40 or so years since the end of the American War.
Last year, popular tourism site TripAdvisor also named the country in its ultimate list of the world’s Top 10 destinations for adventurous travelers, for the diversity of its terrain, with dramatic mountain paths, national parks, natural reserves, beautiful beaches, and charming fields, as well as rich culture, all of which are perfect for adventurous activities like hiking, trekking, climbing, kayaking, biking, kitesurfing, homestays and so on. US News also listed it as one of the 30 best places to travel alone, with easy transport, lots of activities, and relatively safe environments for those considering the next getaway for exploring alone.
Vietnam welcomed a record 15.4 million foreign visitors last year, a 20 per cent increase against 2017. The number of international tourist arrivals has surged three-fold from 5 million in 2010. It also catered to 80 million domestic travelers last year, generating VND620 trillion ($26.66 billion) in revenue.
It was ranked the world’s fourth fastest-growing travel destination in a 2018 UN World Tourism Organisation report for its impressive growth in international arrivals over recent years.
Vietnam plans to welcome up to 20 million foreign visitors by 2020, earning $35 billion in tourism revenues and contributing 10 per cent to the country’s GDP.
Leave your comment on this story