World’s fastest growing tourism cities all located in Asia

The world’s top 10 fastest growing tourism cities are all in Asia, according to a study of 65 world cities that ranks them on the extent that tourism contributes to economies and job creation.

Asia Pacific City Travel & Tourism Impact, one of a series of reports by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) covers 65 cities, 21 of which are in the Asia Pacific region.

The data shows that Asian cities are at the forefront of anticipated tourism growth over the next 10 years. Chongqing (14% growth per year) heads the table, followed by Guanghzhou (13.1%), Shanghai (12.8%) and Beijing (12%). The other cities on the top 10 list are Chengdu (11.2%), Manila (10.9%), Delhi (10.8%), Shenzhen (10.7%), Kuala Lumpur (10.1%) and Jakarta (10%).

With the world average growth rate at 4% per year, and Asia Pacific at 5.8%, these cities are significantly outpacing both the regional and global average.

Asia Pacific also includes some of the world’s largest tourism cities. Shanghai, with an annual tourism GDP contribution of US$30 billion is the largest in the world; followed by Beijing (US$27 billion). Tokyo (US$20 billion) is ranked 6th in the world.

Shanghai and Beijing together account for 21% of China’s tourism economic impact (GDP), whereas Tokyo alone accounts for 18% of Japan’s total.

The success of Chinese cities is largely driven by domestic business (as high as 94.5% of spend in Chongqing is domestic), and the Chinese outbound market is key for neighbouring cities such as Tokyo (11% of spend is Chinese, the largest market) and Bangkok (38%).

Commenting on the report, WTTC President and Chief Executive Gloria Guevara stated “the power of Asian cities when it comes to driving the travel and tourism sector is clear to see in this new data. However, not only do these cities contribute significantly to their country’s tourism sector, tourism is an important generator of economic growth and jobs within the cities themselves.

“With this level of forecast growth, the importance of investment in long term planning, infrastructure and sustainable public policies cannot be underestimated. It is vital that city authorities understand the economic impact of travel and tourism, GDP and employment contribution, and not just visitor arrivals, as they seek to develop new products and opportunities to increase traveller spend and sustainable growth. WTTC has invested in this new research and data to support them in this ambition.”

Other highlights from the report include:

• Singapore’s tourism has doubled in the past 10 years, to a total of US$12.4 billion in 2016 and supporting 164,000 jobs.
• Tourism in Bangkok generates US$18.2 billion for the city each year, representing 10% of the city’s economy and 50% of Thailand’s tourism.
• Delhi and Mumbai together generate over 1 million tourism jobs, 10% of India’s total tourism employment.
• Macau is the most tourism intensive city in Asia Pacific, with 27% of its economy a direct result of tourism spend.
• Eight cities in the study contribute more than 25% of their country’s tourism economy: Auckland, Bangkok, Ho Chi Min City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul and Sydney.

Click here to view the full report.

Images: Shanghai (top) and Hong Kong (below).

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