According to data compiled by the Pacific Asia Travel Association, foreign arrival growth saw a 5.2 per cent increase in 2015 in 36 destinations in the region, for an overall inbound total of more than 455 million. Foreign arrivals in Asia as a whole grew by 4.5 per cent, with statistics differing by region. Northeast Asia saw a growth of 3.5 per cent; Southeast Asia saw a growth of 6.7 per cent; and South Asia saw the highest growth at 8.2 per cent.

When looking at individual countries, Japan had a particularly good year, with growth increases reaching 47 per cent, setting a record for foreign arrivals at 19.7 million. The positive numbers may be associated with, most specifically, both Japan’s ease-up on visa requirements and the expansion of air capacity in the region. In comparison, a few destinations saw a decline in growth, with Russia hitting bottom at a decline in foreign arrivals of 15 per cent.

PATA produced five-year forecasts for 38 Asia Pacific destinations. The forecasts approximate the region will surpass 550 million foreign arrivals in 2016, and 600 million foreign arrivals in 2018. They predict each year through 2020 will see record highs, finally topping out at 650 million foreign arrivals in 2020.

“While this strong and sustained growth is a positive sign, it brings with it a number of responsibilities that require changes in mindset and measurement,” said Mario Hardy, CEO, PATA. “We must ask ourselves if we are able to maintain high service delivery in the face of such continued growth and whether or not we have the correct software in place. The protocols and policies to manage effectively this growth are vitally important and we must also question how such increases in visitor arrivals may be managed to remain both rewarding to the destinations’ citizens and sustainable in the longer-term. Growth brings with it rewards, but also responsibilities.”