Foreign arrivals to the Asia Pacific region are projected to reach 650 million by 2020, according to the latest tourism forecast by the Pacific Asia Travel Association.
Preliminary data from PATA recorded a 5.2% increase in 2015 to more than 455 million cross-border trips, and that growth momentum is slated to continue over the next five years.
This was supported by a 8.7% increase in air seat capacity in Asia during 2015.
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines this week reported a 9.2% year on year increase in international passenger traffic for the month of January.
Moving forward PATA predicts new records will be set for foreign arrivals for each year between 2016 and 2020.
"It is heartening to see that the momentum of the Asia Pacific tourism sector will continue until at least the end of this decade and that it continues to play a significant role as both a receiver and generator of international visitors," said Mario Hardy, CEO of PATA.
"The region’s identity as the engine of growth in international tourism is well justified."
