Prof. SONG Haiyan, Director of Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT), Associate Dean (Research) and Chair Professor of School of Hotel and Tourism Management, Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism, presented the Asia Pacific Tourism Outlook 2026–2028 during a webinar organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on 26 February 2026.
According to Prof. Song, the outlook indicates that international visitor arrivals across the region are set to surpass pre-pandemic levels, despite ongoing exposure to economic, geopolitical and environmental uncertainties. The Asia Pacific region is expected to reach 710 million international arrivals in 2026, representing 104% of 2019 levels. By 2028, total arrivals are projected to rise to approximately 765 million, or 11.5% above pre-COVID performance under the baseline scenario.
The outlook further suggests that Northeast Asia will regain the largest market share, West Asia will recover fastest, and Southeast Asia will exceed 2019 levels. South Asia, though the smallest subregion, will experience robust growth, while the Americas and Pacific are expected to recover more slowly. Major destinations such as Japan, India and Thailand are set for strong growth, with China remaining a key outbound market. The report emphasises the importance of flexible planning, diversification of source markets, and resilience strategies for travel professionals amid ongoing global uncertainty.
The Asia Pacific Tourism Outlook is a comprehensive report prepared in collaboration between RCDTT and PATA. It presents forecasts for 39 destinations in the Asia Pacific region under mild, medium and severe scenarios, offering critical insights for stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry.
Online coverage:
Travel Daily News - https://polyu.me/4uiyccG
| Research Units | Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism |
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