Asia Pacific destinations facing five percent drop in international arrivals for 2009

Figures released today by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) show that the numbers of international visitors to the Asia Pacific region* grew by 0.7 percent year-on-year in September 2009.

Growth in arrivals for the region is still down by five percent year-on-year for the first nine months of 2009.Two sub-regions recorded positive growth for the month. International visitor arrivals to Southeast Asia grew by 14 percent while arrivals to the Pacific were up nine percent. The strong 25 percent growth in arrivals to Malaysia and the rebound in arrivals to Thailand (from a low base in September 2008) boosted overall arrivals growth into Southeast Asia.

Arrivals to most destinations in the Pacific also increased compared to September 2008. Australia (+9 percent), New Zealand (+9 percent) and Hawaii (+8 percent) all showed positive trends.

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