Figures from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) have revealed a 5.7 per cent year-on-year increase in international visitor arrivals for September.

The figure is a one per cent decrease from the rate recorded in August, although all Asia Pacific sub-regions maintained a positive performance.

South Asia led the pack for the month of September with an 11 per cent increase.

It added nearly 60,000 more international visitors to the sub-region over the corresponding period last year.

For the four smaller volume destinations reporting source market information (i.e. Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka) arrivals from Asia increased significantly in terms of both volume and growth rate.

The number of arrivals from Asian origin markets – supported by strong demand from China and India – was well above that of the European generating markets for the fifth consecutive month.

This was also influenced by a downturn in arrivals from the UK and Italy to various South Asia destinations. 

South-east Asia registered a relatively slower growth rate of nine per cent in September driven in part by a strong negative performance by Vietnam (-13%).

International arrivals to north-east Asia showed moderate growth for September with a collective gain of five per cent year-on-year.

Despite the slower sub-regional average growth rate, foreign arrivals into specific destinations, within the sub-region were very strong.

Travel demand to the Pacific remained sluggish during September with arrivals to the sub-region growing by only one per cent.

Growth for the sub-region was supported by the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand which saw an increase of 26 per cent in foreign arrivals.

Martin Craigs, PATA chief executive, said: “International arrivals momentum into the Asia/Pacific region continues to hold at a relatively strong average rate of around six per cent.

“The rising tide is not, however, lifting all boats equally.

“A few Asia Pacific destinations are facing difficulties and experiencing contracting numbers of visitors,” he concluded.