Strengths of Asia-Pacific tourism industry

Luxury travel could be a key driver of Asia- Pacific tourism recovery, with 68% of wealthy travelers in the region saying they will spend more on leisure travel in the next 12 months, according to Thailand's thaipbsworld.com.

A recent report by Luxury Group by Marriott International (USA) said that 74% of wealthy travelers plan a vacation in the Asia- Pacific region. This trend shows that the intra-regional tourism market is growing strongly. Among them, wealthy Indians are leading the momentum in this niche market with 89% planning to spend more money. In terms of destinations, Australia is the top choice, followed by Japan and Hong Kong (China). Thailand also made the top 10 destinations in the travelers' plans.

Combining work and enjoying time with family is the choice of many tourists. Photo: THAIPBSWORLD.COM

Luxury travel in Asia Pacific is being driven by affluent travellers’ growing desire for longer, richer experiences, underpinned by increased spending and changing travel preferences. The survey involved high net worth individuals from Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Interestingly, the majority of these travellers plan to stay within the Asia Pacific region, reflecting their preference for exploring regions closer to home. For these discerning travellers, culinary experiences are a major draw, with 88% prioritising food as a factor in choosing a holiday destination. Fine dining is a particular highlight, with 49% looking for a great night out, 83% opting for a celebrity restaurant and 35% willing to spend more on unique dining experiences.

The Luxury Group by Marriott International report divides luxury travelers into three groups. The first group is the adventure traveler. This group is made up of people who seek to combine work and leisure, exploring destinations for potential business opportunities, while enjoying family time. The second group is the experience connoisseur. These are people who value personalized experiences and actively seek out unique adventures. It is therefore no surprise that the Millennial generation (those born between 1981 and 1996) dominates this group. The last group is classified as the timeless explorer, which includes adventure-seekers who crave authentic experiences and want to immerse themselves in local cultures.

In addition, wealthy travelers are also concerned about the environmental impact of their trips. Accordingly, 80% said that sustainability and environmental protection measures of hotels are important considerations when deciding where to stay; 40% of them want to see hotel designs that fit the local environment. The report also shows that eco-conscious travelers are also interested in reducing food waste and supporting local communities. Nearly 50% of them want to see restaurants and hotels offering locally sourced products and food.

Japan welcomed a record 17.78 million foreign visitors in the first six months of 2024, partly as a result of the yen’s continued depreciation against the US dollar. If this pace is maintained, the number of visitors to Japan in 2024 is expected to surpass the record 31.88 million in 2019.

MINH CHAU

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/the-manh-cua-nganh-du-lich-chau-a-thai-binh-duong-post750308.html