Asians are travelling and will continue to do so in 2013. Outbound trips rose by 7% in 2012 and are forecast to increase by 6% next year with China and Japan leading the growth, according to the lates tITB World Travel Trends Report.

The two countries reported healthy double-digit growth in 2012. During the first six months of the year the number of outbound trips from China grew by 20%. Japan, which has recovered from the effects of last year’s tsunami, registered 13.7% growth during the first nine months.

Pictured right: Chinese citizens plan to travel more in 2013

Outbound trips from South Korea increased by 6.7%, while most markets in South and Southeast Asia lost momentum with India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore reporting less than 5% growth. Indonesia and the Philippines are, however, expected to exceed 10% growth.

Outlook for 2013

Positive outlook for Asian markets: Only a third of Asians said the global financial crisis would affect their travel plans, while two-thirds said it had no impact at all. Year-on-year data shows that Asia has recovered slightly. Last year 36% said the recession would influence their travel plans. This year that figure is down by 4%. In 2013, 29% of Asians intend to travel more with only 16% saying travel less. About 50% per cent said they would undertake the same amount of trips. Forecast for outbound travel from Asia to grow by 6%.

Japan: Japan has largely recovered from the effects of last year’s tsunami, and reported strong tourism growth during the first half of this year. However, some of the momentum has been lost with the ongoing island dispute with China. Regardless, the Japanese are still optimistic about their travel plans for 2013. Only 28% said the financial crisis would affect their travel decisions next year compared with 33% in 2012. 21% expect to travel more next year, while 54% aim to undertake the same amount of trips. Overall outbound travel from Japan is forecast to grow by around 3% in the coming year.

China: The country has also shown itself to be one of Asia’s strongest markets. 38% of the Chinese survery plan to travel more in 2013, which is 4% more than last year. 49% said they would undertake the same amount of trips. Outbound travel from China is forecast to grow by 12 per cent.

Rest of Asia: South Korean travel demand appeared to tail off slightly due in part to declining confidence in purchasing power. Many South Koreans prefer cheaper holidays in Southeast Asia. A similar trend has emerged in Taiwan. By contrast the economic situation in Hong Kong remains stable, with travellers increasingly discovering new destinations in the region or making repeat trips to those they have visited.

Dr. Martin Buck, director of the Competence Centre Travel & Logistics (pictured right) at Messe Berlin said, “Over the coming years Asia will continue to be one of the main forces driving international tourism. Despite the economic uncertainty threatening major markets such as China and other countries in Northeast Asia, travellers from those countries will play an important role in global tourism.”

• ITB World Travel Trends Report is compiled by IPK International and commissioned by ITB Berlin.