How Asia is bouncing back and why it pays to book early
Confidence is returning in the Far East, although challenges remain in the region. Debbie Ward asks operators for a booking snapshot.
Slower to open than rival regions, Asia is now firmly in demand, with travellers even booking countries where restrictions remain.
“Against 2019, Asia is about 10% down but the gap is narrowing. As the region’s protocols were adjusted late on, clients did book alternatives for the first six months of 2022, but 2023 already looks very encouraging,” explains Pata UK and Ireland spokesperson David Kevan.
With hotel capacity good, the main concern is airfares, Kevan adds. “Against 2019 levels we’re looking at a 45% increase. In many cases, route capacity has been reduced so the airlines are taking commercial advantage.”
On a brighter note, clients can this year experience some of the world’s top tourist sites crowd-free.
And for those happy to bide their time and book ahead, looking further into 2023 airfares are more favourable, says Mark Mallinson, Gold Medal Travel Group’s destination manager for the Far East.
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