Travel Trends in Asia & Pacific

In recent years, Asia and the Pacific has drawn global attention as the world’s most rapidly expanding and dynamic region for international tourism. This region not only is a vital source of outbound international tourism, but also contains an abundance of popular destinations. Following Europe, the region now receives the second highest number of tourist arrivals and receipts. Since 2005, each of Asia-Pacific’s four subregions have experienced substantial growth; Northeast Asia, spearheaded by China, the greatest generator of tourism internationally; Southeast Asia, with a host of emerging tourism markets; South Asia, led by India and Iran; and Oceania, dominated by Australia and New Zealand. (This entry discusses regions as they are designated by the World Tourism Organization [UNWTO]; although Iran is often seen as part ...