IMPACTS OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISM ON ECONOMIES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

The main purpose of this article is to briefly overview the impacts of international tourism on economies in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia-Pacific region, defined by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) as encompassing Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, has been forecast to be a primary focus of the worldwide tourism industry in the 21st century. The region has been recognized as one of the most promising blossoming markets for tourism demand and supply, with export earnings of US$1,002 billion and 124 million jobs by the year 2019, a phenomenon that will result in positive economic growth and an increase in the gross domestic product (GDP). Increased job opportunities, enhanced economic growth, decreases in political barriers, easing of travel restrictions, and more effective tourism campaigns have been the main factors fostering tourism growth in the Asia-Pacific region.