Number of international tourist arrivals APAC 2012-2021, by subregion
International tourism
Although Europe remains a leading destination for many travelers, the Asia-Pacific region is steadily becoming more attractive for prospective holiday-goers. The tourism industry is booming, prevalent in the huge contributions the industry has made to many Asia-Pacific countries’ GDPs. Not only does China lead in GDP contributions from travel and tourism, but it has displayed its immense popularity among travelers. The country received the most international tourists from all of the Asia-Pacific countries in 2018.
Tourism in Asia Pacific
The tourism industry remains vital for many of the unique economies throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Thus, countries across the region have set up initiatives to entice both domestic and international tourists. These initiatives include implementing a higher availability of flights and the establishment of more tour packages and possibilities in different destinations. Countries, such as India and Sri Lanka, have also made visa attainment easier and have even offered visa-free facilities, likely in order to encourage more international visitation. These initiatives appear to have been successful, as several Asia-Pacific cities unsurprisingly made the ranking for leading city destinations worldwide in terms of overnight visitors.