Short-Haul Travel to Continue Dominating Tourism in Asia Over the Next Decade

Short-haul travel within Asia Pacific is more popular than ever, with 90 percent of all outbound departures from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Macau, going to destinations within the region. Not only does the short-haul market dominate departures in Asia, it is also growing rapidly, with departures up by 20 percent between 2000 and 2005, compared to long-haul’s growth rate of 12 percent over the same period, according to research from Euromonitor International.

The popularity of short-haul travel in Asia is set to intensify further over the next ten years, thanks to a combination of positive factors fuelling growth, according to Euromonitor International, who will be speaking on the future of short-haul vs. long-haul travel in Asia Pacific at Travel Distribution Summit Asia 2007.

Furthermore, the past year has seen a hype of activity in the travel industry, which Euromonitor predicts will spark yet more growth in the number of short-haul trips within the region.

Firstly, Asian Tourism Boards have been concentrating many promotional efforts on neighboring countries, encouraging regional travelers to visit their country more frequently. Secondly, the development of the “open-skies” agreement and visa-free regime between all ASEAN countries in July 2006, is making travel within the region easier.

Transportation developments are also helping to drive growth in short-haul travel. Euromonitor International forecasts that the continuing boom in low cost carriers, the development of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the continued progress on the historical Iron Silk Road rail network between China and India will open up new entry routes for visitors throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Although short-haul takes the lion’s share of the departures market in most Asian countries, Euromonitor International predicts that long-haul travel will develop over the next five years as Asians become more independent and confident in traveling further a field.

Euromonitor International estimates that increased frequency in outbound travel amongst Asians will ensure growth in both short and long-haul sales, but the lack of adequate resources from long-haul destinations, as well as the prevailing importance of weekend breaks and limited time availability will mean that short-haul will come out on top in terms of growth over the next five-ten years.