Northstar

FEATURE www.travelweeklyweb.com Travel surges ahead Asia Pacific continues to draw regional travelers with its myriad of offerings. By Natalie Chen The overall outlook for travel especial ly in Asia Paci f ic looks positive even as certain source markets are impacted by economic uncertainties. Despite the slow economic recover y in Nor th America and Europe, overall arrivals have increased by over 10 percent according to Accor. Singapore has seen an increase in arrivals from the United States said Leong Yue Kheong, Assistant Chief Executive, International Group and Corporate Development Group, Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Travel has been expected to slow down from these regions as they grappled with their debt crisis and high unemployment rates. But the increase is actually due to a return to confidence in business as business travel returns to the commercial centres of Asia. Nonetheless it is regional travel within Asia that is growing and the increases from Europe and North According to the Visa and PATA Asia Pacific Travel Intentions Survey 2010, Asia Pacific remained by far the most popular holiday region of the source markets surveyed, while more than half of the respondents from the US vacationed in North America and the majority of British travellers made Western Europe their main holiday destination. "The increases from Europe Leong Yue Kheong, assistant chief executive, International Group and Corporate Development Group, Singapore Tourism Board. America do not match the growth seen in the Asia Pacific markets. There is marked intra-regional travel within Asia Pacific over the past two years as more preferred to go on leisure travel closer to home. To deal with their penchant for travel consumers took holidays at nearby destinations. 4 | ■ TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA | OCTOBER 2010 and North America do however not match the growth being experienced from Asia Pacific markets. Much of Asia has experienced increases due to strengthening business travel. An abnormal year last year with depressed business and leisure travel has also contributed to the improved results in 2010. Markets are price sensi t ive al though prot r acted political uncertainty in Thailand has driven leisure business to alternative destinations in the region such as Bali/Lombok and in Malaysia. "Even through this there has been year on year increases in arrivals to Thailand. This is due to pent up demand due to long haul travellers choosing trips closer to home in 2009," said Evan Lewis, vice president, Communications - Asia Pacific, Accor Asia Pacific. While some Asian cities such as Singapore have seen a fall in arrivals from Europe and perhaps even the United States, This can be attributed to several factors, for example their weakening rates against the Singapore dollar. "In my personal opinion, these two markets have weakened greatly for Singapore inbound. Reasons attributed to the fall in arrivals for Singapore are because both Euro and US dollars currency are weak against the Singapore dollar. Also, considering the long distance travel from US/Europe to Singapore and Singapore being a ultra-modern city, rather than culturally rich in the eyes of the European and American, they are probably less attracted to Singapore. While our two newly opened integrated resor ts will appeal to the broad Asian travellers, www.travelweeklyweb.com Courtesy of Accor Asia Pacific

• Cover