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ASIA PACIFIC
APEC Countries
ATA at China Tourism Summit
ATA PATA Partnership
China Tourism Summit
China Outbound Expo.
India Outbound
Korea Tourism Superpower
Medical Tourism Popular
Universal Travel Group

H.E. Shao Qiwei, Chairman, China National Tourism Administration, The People's Republic of China:

"International and domestic tourists will be drawn by the Chinese tourism attractions which are onstantly evolving. The Olympics has an increasing influence on accelerating Beijing's tourism industry development. "

Sujit Chowdhury President and CEO World Trade University Global Secretariat -Canada

Secretary General, World Tourism Marketing Summit, Beijing, China 2007

"Great companies don't push; they lead through targeted networks and connections by redefining the possible &emdash; such as here at the 2nd World Tourism Marketing Summit!"

Mr. Donald F. Terry Manager, Multilateral Investment Fund, Inter-American Development Bank, USA


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African Tourism Marketers Take Notice

Korea Now a Tourism 'Superpower'

The number of Koreans travelling abroad passed the 10 million mark for the first time in 2005, growing at a rate of 14.2% for the year. The upturn helped drive arrivals figures to new heights in popular Korean destinations such as China (PRC), Japan and the USA.

The outbound surge was particularly strong in the Korean summer with more than one million Koreans travelling abroad in both July and August, the country's peak outbound season.

The 2005 statistics just released from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Korea Tourism Organization show that:-

* The most popular destination regions were Asia (72.6%), the Americas (8.1%), Europe (5.8%), and the Pacific (4.5%).

* China (PRC) and Japan were the most popular countries, attracting 2.96 million and 1.74 million Koreans respectively. China (PRC) and Japan together captured 51.1% of total Korean outbound.

* In Europe, Germany and the UK were first and second most popular destinations with 141,606 and 111,845 arrivals respectively.

* Travel for pleasure accounted for 60% of Koreans' trips (business 22.5%).

* The pleasure travel category accounted for 77% of all Koreans' trips to the Pacific; 62% of all trips to Asia; 51.8% of all trips to Europe; and 38% of all trips to the Americas.

* More than half (52.4%) were aged 40 years or younger, with a significant number (29.1%) aged 30 years or younger. Koreans over 60 years old only accounted for 9.3% of the total.

* Air was easily the most preferred mode of travel with Seoul's Incheon airport capturing 80.9% of all outbound movements.

Korea's inbound tourism sector is also booming, with 6.02 million arrivals in 2005, up 3.5% on 2004 and passing the six million mark for the first time.

"The Korean outbound tourism miracle has been the product of dramatic, and at the time, painful structural reform in the economy following financial collapse in '97-98," said PATA Director-Strategic Intelligence Mr John Koldowski. "Over time, as the Korean people's spending power strengthened, so did their resolve to spend it on overseas experiences, especially in Asia."

Mr Koldowski cited Korea as a strong example of a country that operates by the principle of 'total tourism' -- a belief that inbound, outbound and domestic tourism delivers a range of socio-cultural benefits, as well as an economic multiplier effect across many sectors of society.

"For many years Korea had a reputation for isolation -- the 'hermit' kingdom, as it was known. Now Korea's culture, consumption patterns and investments are an integral part of the Asia Pacific success story," he said.

ABOUT PATA

Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is the recognised authority on Asia Pacific travel and tourism. PATA provides leadership and advocacy to the collective efforts of nearly 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, more than 55 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. In addition, thousands of travel professionals belong to dozens of PATA chapters worldwide.

PATA's mission is to enhance the growth, value and quality of Asia Pacific travel and tourism for the benefit of its membership. PATA is a not-for-profit organisation.

 

Find out more at www.PATA.org.