PATA Forecasts Strong Asia Pacific Visitor Rebound and Growth Through 2027
Bangkok, Thailand, March 31, 2025 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has released the latest Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2025-2027, providing in-depth insights into tourism recovery trends across the region. This comprehensive report, prepared in collaboration with the Hospitality and Tourism Research Centre of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 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.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid remarked, “As global travel continues its strong recovery, the Asia Pacific region remains a key driver of growth. This latest forecast highlights the dynamic shifts in visitor flows, policy interventions, and infrastructure improvements that will shape the region’s tourism landscape over the next three years. By understanding these evolving trends, destinations can better position themselves for sustainable growth and resilience.”
Key Highlights from the Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2025-2027
– Resilient Growth Trajectory: Under the medium scenario, international visitor arrivals (IVAs) to Asia Pacific are projected to reach 813.7 million by 2027, reflecting a continued upward trend from the estimated 648.1 million in 2024.
– Policy and Connectivity Driving Recovery: Simplified visa processes, expanded airline routes, and enhanced infrastructure are accelerating recovery. Initiatives such as China’s visa-free transit expansion and Thailand’s “Six Countries, One Destination” project illustrate how strategic policy shifts can drive visitor flows.
– Destination Performance: China is forecast to reclaim its position as the leading inbound destination in the region, with the USA, Türkiye, and Hong Kong SAR ranking among the top performers by 2027. Meanwhile, Mongolia, Türkiye, Sri Lanka, and Japan are projected to lead in recovery rates, surpassing their pre-pandemic visitor numbers.
– Top Source Markets: China is expected to maintain its role as the largest source market for Asia Pacific, followed by the USA, Hong Kong SAR, Korea (ROK), and India. The rising middle class in India and Southeast Asia, along with increased adoption of digital payment platforms and social media-driven travel inspiration, is fuelling outbound travel growth.
– Macro Trends Impacting the Visitor Economy: The Asia Pacific tourism landscape will continue to be shaped by economic shifts, geopolitical factors, and technological advancements. Digital transformation, sustainable tourism initiatives, and new transportation infrastructure are set to redefine travel experiences in the region.
“As we move forward, the industry must remain agile and adaptive to shifting market dynamics,” Noor added. “The insights from the PATA Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2025-2027 will be invaluable for policymakers, businesses, and destination marketers aiming to capitalise on emerging opportunities.”
Access the Full Report
The PATA Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2025-2027 report is now available for purchase at www.pata.org/research-q1v63g6n2dw/p/asia-pacific-visitor-forecasts-2025-2027.
Exclusive Member Benefits: PATA members can access an exclusive webinar on February 20, 2025, featuring expert insights from industry leaders and analysts on the key findings and implications of the report.
About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research, and innovative events to its member organisations, which include government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as youth members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism of the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 31 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 15 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts, and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has an official office in Beijing. Visit www.PATA.org.
