PATA Travel Reports show September 11 impact

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has released PATA 2002 Half-Year Report: Arrivals to Pacific Asia Destinations and PATA 2002 Second Quarter Statistical Report. Both reports are produced by the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre.

The PATA 2002 Half-Year Report shows inbound and outbound figures for January-June 2000, January-June 2001 (both pre-September 11, 2001) and January-June 2002 – a post-Sept. 11 period. By taking a three-year comparison, the aim is to clearly show the degree to which the Sept. 11 attacks impacted travel flows in Pacific Asia.

The study shows that in first six months of 2002 compared to same period 2001 USA departures to Pacific Asia countries declined: Nepal down 53.3 percent, Malaysia down 36.7 percent and the Philippines down 17.2 percent. However, U.S. outbound to China (PRC) surged ahead 27.7 percent, Cambodia 21.6 percent and Maldives 16.4 percent.

In terms of inbound markets, China (PRC) grew by 13.8 percent, Thailand 6.4 percent, Cambodia and Myanmar by 1.2 percent.

Vietnam and China (PRC) showed growing power as outbound markets with increases of 16 percent and 37.2 percent respectively.

PATA’s Strategic Intelligence Centre Managing Director, Mr. John Koldowski said: "Travel patterns are set to become much more short-haul and intra-regional with people travelling closer to home, reducing their advance booking periods and the number of days spent aboard."

PATA 2002 Second Quarter Statistical Report shows growth in inbound travel to PATA member countries: Hong Kong SAR achieved a growth rate of 13.2 percent and Macau SAR 9.7 percent. In Southeast Asia, Cambodia recorded an increase of 5.2 percent, Thailand 4.8 percent and the Philippines four percent. In the Pacific region, Fiji had an impressive quarter, with growth of 14.5 percent and Tonga 11.4 percent. 

The report also looked at outbound travel of selected PATA-member countries. Fiji had the highest increase in the number of outbound travellers, with 14.8 percent, followed by Korea (ROK) 13.7 percent, a mass market with a robust economy.

The PATA 2002 Half-Year Report is US$75 for PATA members and US$125 for PATA chapters and non-members. The PATA 2002 Second Quarter Statistical Report is US$200 for PATA members and US$275 for PATA chapters and non-members.