PATA forecasts 32% fall in international arrivals to Asia Pacific in 2020, growth returning in 2021

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) via its updated 2020 forecast, stated (23-Apr-2020) the most likely scenario for international visitor arrivals into and across Asia Pacific in 2020 is for a fall of 32% year-on-year. Taking into account the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the volume of arrivals is now expected to reduce to fall to under 500 million, taking visitor volume back to levels last seen in 2012. At this stage, growth is expected to resume in 2021, returning to forecast levels by 2023. PATA stated its forecast "depends on how quickly and completely the COVID-19 pandemic is contained and controlled". A more optimistic scenario suggests arrivals falling by only 16% in 2020, while a pessimistic scenario is for a 2020 fall of approximately 44%. [more - original PR]