According to recent research by Arival, the tours, activities, and
attractions sector in the Asia Pacific region is predicted to approach
pre-pandemic levels by 2024.
The sector, which is the third-largest and fastest-growing in travel,
is set to hit US$67 billion by 2024 and surpass its pre-pandemic peak,
reaching US$75 billion in 2025.
The research also found that online bookings are expected to surpass
30% of all tours, activities, and attractions booking worldwide in 2025,
up from 17% in 2019, with online booking volume in Asia Pacific set to
more than triple during the same period.
The most advantageous position to benefit will be held by online marketplaces and mobile-ready operators throughout the region.
Revenue is predicted to not only rebound but surpass pre-pandemic levels by 2025.
Arival CEO Douglas Quinby noted that the Asia Pacific region has been
the hardest hit by the pandemic and experienced a broad regional
shutdown in cross-border travel, but demand for travel is accelerating
as borders reopen, with travellers prioritising experiences in their
travel planning and spending.
“The large, experience-hungry cohort of Gen-Z and millennial
travellers in Asia are putting experiences first and they are willing to
pay for it,” added Quinby. “But operators must be ready. This means
more small-group, immersive experiences that get travellers off the
beaten. And it must all be discoverable and bookable on mobile, with
plenty of Instagram- and TikTok-worthy moments.”