Positive adjectives emerge in Asia’s tourism leaders’ outlook for 2024, with most expecting the new year to bring continued strength in industry improvement and growth.
Singapore Tourism Board chief executive Melissa Ow said the city-state’s continued investment in new products and experiences, as well as the ability of industry players to respond to new travel trends, has made Singapore a leader in leisure. We believe this puts us in a strong position to attract tourists.
Clockwise from top left: Melissa Au of Singapore Tourism Board. Sandiaga Uno from the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. Dane Chen of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Atsumi Gamo from the Japan National Tourism Organization. Ammar Abd Gapal of Tourism Malaysia;Ms. Maria Helena de Sena Fernandes of Macau Government Tourism Board
“Significant development projects such as the Mandai Revitalization Project, Bay East Garden and Orchard Road revitalization are underway, further enhancing Singapore’s attractiveness as a leading destination,” Mr Ou elaborated. Ta.
Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, said the country’s tourism and travel industry stakeholders are “well prepared and more optimistic for 2024.”
Industry confidence will increase with healthy business in 2023. According to data available at the time of writing, Indonesia’s 2023 arrival target of 8.5 million was achieved in September. In 2023 he is expected to finish with 11 million visitors.
Despite being one of the last countries in the Asia-Pacific region to reopen tourism to the world, Hong Kong has established strong tourism recovery momentum, said Dane, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board.・Mr. Chen said.
Chen expects a stronger return of travelers from the US and Europe in 2024 as long-haul air transport capacity to Asia expands further.
“U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have promised to increase scheduled passenger flights in 2024, which is very good news,” he said.
Optimism persists from across the ocean in Hong Kong. Maria Helena de Sena Fernandez, director general of the Macau Tourism Office, told TTG Asia that Macau is “offering a good start to the new year as we are making a lot of promotions and investments to diversify our tourism services.” He said he can expect it. ”.
“Not only has the visitor recovery rate steadily increased each month, from 40 percent in January 2023 to 90 percent in November 2023 (compared to 2019 figures), but visitor length of stay has also increased. It’s getting longer and the amount spent is increasing,” she said.
Tourism Malaysia Executive Director Ammar Abd Ghapal commented on what travel and tourism operators must do to grow in 2024, prioritizing safety and health and integrating technology to help customers We appealed to the community to improve the experience and diversify our offerings.
Meanwhile, the Japan National Tourism Organization will support the industry’s sustainability transformation. Atsumi Gamo, chairman of the association, said that sustainable tourism is one of the important pillars of the government’s basic plan to promote tourism as a nation. A goal has been set for 100 regions to become sustainable by 2025, half of which have been approved by international organizations. In 2023, 10 regions were listed in the Top 100 Green Destinations and 4 regions were selected as Best Tourism Villages by his UNWTO.
