This year arrivals into the Asia Pacific region are tipped to finally surpass pre-pandemic levels, shows the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s latest Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2026-2028.
The forecast expects inbound arrivals in Asia Pacific to reach around 710.2 million in 2026, 741.2 million in 2027 and 761.2 million in 2028, all well above 2019 arrivals (682.7 million).
However, taking into account evolving geopolitical developments and macroeconomic volatility, a lower bound forecast scenario has it reaching just 599.7 million by 2028, this just 88% of 2019 levels. In this instance, 2026 arrivals would be just 560.9 million, and 2027 arrivals 585.7 million.
PATA ceo Noor Ahmad Hamid says that international tourism is entering a more complex phase where growth continues, but under increasing pressure.
“In this environment, growth is no longer linear or guaranteed,” he says. “Ultimately, resilience and preparedness will define how well the industry navigates this next phase of uncertainty.”
. . . Top Spots
Some 27 of the 39 destinations evaluated in the forecast are expected to surpass their pre-pandemic arrival volumes by 2028.
Leading this will be Mongolia (pictured), Japan, Chile, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, with PATA predicting that each of these countries will exceed 2019 visitation levels by some 150%. See more HERE.
