Asia Pacific travel experiences could reach pre-pandemic levels by next year, according to new research from Arival. The third largest and fastest-growing travel sector is predicted to surpass US$67 billion in 2024 and could top pre-pandemic levels in 2025. Many countries in the region have seen a dramatic increase in tourist arrivals over the past 12 months with this group increasingly focused on experiences.
“The Asia Pacific region has borne the worst of the pandemic, with a broad regional shutdown in cross-border travel well beyond other parts of the world,” Arival CEO Douglas Quinby stated. “But demand for travel in the region is now accelerating as many borders have reopened, encouraging travelers to return. As we saw when other regions reopened, travelers put experiences first in travel planning and spend. The challenge now will be for the global industry to get ready for the rapid influx of demand from across Asia Pacific.”
In Arival’s The Outlook for Experiences 2019-2025 report, the company noted online bookings for all tours, activities and attractions in 2025 should increase to 30 percent globally. This jump will be more profound in Asia Pacific where it is expected to triple due in larger part to younger travelers who are mobile savvy. Marketplaces and operators must keep up with this trend or risk missing out.
“The large, experience-hungry cohort of Gen-Z and millennial travelers in Asia are putting experiences first and they are willing to pay for it,” Quinby noted. “But operators must be ready. This means more small-group, immersive experiences that get travelers off the beaten. And it must all be discoverable and bookable on mobile, with plenty of Instagram- and TikTok-worthy moments.”
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Learn more Arival Activate in June
Arival Activate is coming to Bangkok from June 12-14. The event brings together hundreds of tours, activities and experiences professionals from across the region with this year’s event focused on aiding businesses in navigating their post-pandemic recovery. Topics covered include connectivity, channel management, dynamic pricing, super apps, the guest experience and sustainable tourism. Click here to learn more about Arival Activate.
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