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regions | asia & australasia


ANALYSIS


Cost-conscious Asian adventures


New routes and recently opened tourist experiences await those who can afford rising airfares on shoestring budgets. By Molly Raycraft


Asia and Australasia’s travel and tourism industry is slowly recovering from the pandemic while navigating inconsistent Covid-19 travel policies. In 2021, average international visitor spending decreased once again by 44.4 percent across Asia Pacific, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. However, this decrease is less severe than in 2020, which saw a 72.5 percent drop. It indicates the industry is on an upward trajectory and making progress towards pre-Covid level recovery by 2024, as UNWTO World Tourism Barometer expects.


AMERICANS KEEN TO TRAVEL An increasing number of Americans are keen to travel abroad, with 34 percent planning to travel outside the U.S. in 2023, according to Destination Analysts. Currently, top destinations in Asia Pacific include China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. However, interest may wane as financial concerns take hold. Already 68 percent of American travelers say they’re being careful with their money, while 79 percent are reducing travel budgets in anticipation of a recession. For travel agents, it may be opportune to scale down Asian travel packages to accommodate customers with smaller budgets. Yet, there will be some still looking to go on bigger excursions that were postponed by the pandemic. Southeast Asia was one of the first regions to open


Right: Chureito Pagoda and Mount Fuji at sunset


last year, via sandbox schemes. Uptake resulted in a 200 percent increase in seats on flights heading to Southeast Asia, according to the Official Airline Guide (OAG). With Covid-19 restrictions now entirely dropped and no proof of vaccine needed in most countries, interest in the region is likely to continue. Laos has just unveiled a bullet train enabling tourists to travel 260 miles across the country. India is set to host the 2023 Cricket World Cup in Kolkata, and fellow city Shimla has gained attention as a top destination for the year ahead.


74 | ASTA | Worldwide Destination Guide 2023/24


A TASTE OF JAPAN Japan has finally opened its borders to tourists after a long wait, encouraging a surge in postponed trips. “Japan is at the top of the list,” confirms Kathy Takushi, owner and travel advisor at Captivating Journeys. She says that requests for future travel are concentrated on the Golden Route, Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto. Travel agents may benefit from focusing on these locations and planning experiences that involve culinary adventures and botanical gardens. Australia and New Zealand have similarly relaxed


Covid-19 travel restrictions. Together, they will host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which may entice those hoping to support defending champions Team USA. Queenstown will be an ideal location for travelers wanting to participate in sports such as hiking, skiing and cycling. Meanwhile, there is a wave of new indigenous tourist experiences across Australia that may appeal to those wanting to learn more about the Aboriginal communities. China is less accessible. Although it has eased


Covid-19 restrictions and ended flight bans, quarantine is mandatory. The Chinese government’s commitment to its zero-covid policy means restrictions are unpredictable, lockdowns are possible and some measures are expected in 2023. However, Hong Kong no longer requires quarantine on arrival and may be a more reliable destination.


IMPACTS OF WAR The war between Russia and Ukraine will continue to significantly affect travel between the U.S. and Asia. Locations close to sanctioned areas and conflict are not advisable to visit, making Siberian rail excursions and Northeast Asian destinations less possible. Flight paths to other parts of Asia are altering to avoid Russian airspace, extending flight time and increasing expense. “Some flight times have been extended anywhere from three and six hours because pilots have to avoid flying through Russia’s airspace,” confirms Daniel Bubb, former pilot and professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.


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