ADB: Tourism to drive one in ten jobs in Asia

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) says that over the next decade the tourism sector will generate one in every ten jobs in Asia, with long-term sustainable growth depending on a shift from competition between countries toward deeper regional cooperation. The assessment is outlined in analytical materials on the development of the tourism sector in the Asia-Pacific region.

The document notes that geopolitical tensions continue to negatively affect tourism by disrupting long-haul travel routes and weakening traveler sentiment. The greatest losses are recorded in countries dependent on visitors from the Middle East or transit flows through the region. These challenges are compounded by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, trade disputes between the United States and China, and the conflict involving Ukraine, all of which have already reduced demand and reshaped global tourism flows.

Despite these challenges, the region is showing recovery. According to ADB data, international arrivals in 2024 reached 96.3% of 2019 levels, compared with 78.8% the previous year. Tourism revenues have already exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 5%, driven by a higher share of more affluent travelers. Around 65% of all trips in the region are intra-regional.

The Asian Development Bank highlights differences across subregions. East Asia remains the largest source of tourist flows and revenues, followed by Southeast Asia. At the same time, Central and West Asia are increasing their share of total arrivals, rising from 17.8% in 2015 to 23.2% in 2024.

Among key policy priorities to strengthen the sector, ADB points to improving transport connectivity, liberalizing visa regimes, advancing digitalization, standardizing tourism services, and diversifying tourism products and markets. It also notes that visa restrictions can reduce international arrivals by up to 52%.

The bank projects that by 2035, tourism could contribute up to US$6.2 trillion to Asia’s economy, compared to US$3.2 trillion in 2024. Realizing this potential, it stresses, will depend on the level of regional coordination, investment, and aligned policy approaches among countries in the region.