Abstract

The present study examines the impacts of COVID-19 on tourism industry in 20 countries of Asia and Pacific region, highlighting the effects on international tourist arrivals and tourist receipts, air reservation, hotel bookings and occupancy rates. As the results indicate, Asia and Pacific region reported the highest drop in tourist arrivals, which was –9% in January, 2020 and dropped further down to –98% by October, 2020. Drop in international tourist arrivals caused declining tourist receipts which is eight times higher than that of the global financial crisis in 2009. Apart from that, Asia and Pacific region reported the highest drop (–96%) in flight reservation by November 2020 compared to the previous year. Similarly, the occupancy rate in 2020 has also declined from 55% in January to 27% by March. Moreover, drop in hotel bookings has reached a bottom during April and May of 2020 and drop was more substantial in the regions such as Africa, Europe, Middle East and Asia and the Pacific. Under this scenario, it is apparent that tourism sector of Asia and Pacific countries has been severely affected by COVID-19 and therefore alternative revenue sources should be explored till the tourism sector re-emerged.

Keywords: COVID-19, Tourist arrivals, Tourism receipts, Hotel bookings, Travel restrictions