News & Views
Domestic Tourism a “Shock Absorber” To Cushion Against “External Shocks” If foreign tourism has been hit by
whose livelihoods depend on the
repeated “external shocks” over the
industry.”
last decade, domestic tourism has become a “shock absorber” to help
“In terms of volume, domestic tourism
cushion the impact, according to a
is estimated to be around 200 m in
landmark study to be released this
India alone, while in Indonesia and Sri
week.
Lanka, the domestic tourism markets have sustained the tourism industry
The Study on Domestic Tourism Across
during a period of stagnation of inter-
the Asia-Pacific is to be one of the
national visitors.”
highlights of a UN World Tourism Organisation caucus for East Asia,
The study cites the example of China
South Asia and Pacific to be held in Chiang Mai, May 3-5. The study is to be
higher than what was known before
finalised later this year but preliminary
the studies were commissioned.” The report notes that Asian tourism
The report covers the domestic tour-
has survived economic difficulties as
ism sector in Australia, Bhutan, China,
well as natural and man-made calami-
India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea,
ties such as Severe Acute Respiratory
Malaysia,
Zealand,
Syndrome (SARS), Avian and Human
Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thai-
Influenza Outbreaks (AHI), the Tsunami
land, and Vietnam.
of 2004, and terrorism.
The study estimates that domestic
During such times, the study says,
tourism contributions, in comparison
“tourism in general and domestic tour-
with international visitor contributions,
ism in particular has acted as a ‘shock
are as high as 60% of the total tourism
absorber,’
income. It steers clear from providing
impacts of the above crises.
New
cushioning
the
negative
“Domestic
has
systems and calculations which “make
reserve on which Asian destinations
it very difficult to give exact figures
such as Indonesia and Sri Lanka have
that are reliable and comparable.”
relied to protect their product, espe-
been
the
cially accommodation, from disuse and It adds, “Suffice to say, the value and
deterioration.
contribution of domestic tourism to
domestic tourism helps to maintain
the various economies studied is much
and provide employment to the people
16
the
representing
60
million persons, of which domestic tourism accounts for 40 million. It notes how China decided on a policy of boosting consumption to ward off the
impact
of
the
recent
global
economic downturn. That, in turn, providing various incentives and placing it on a priority list in policy and planning. The aim was not solely economic but social as well, since the rural urban balance was being threatened with sluggish growth.”
ties in methodology and accounting
At
workforce,
“gave impetus to domestic tourism by
more detailed numbers due to disparitourism
generated by tourism is 7.7% of the entire
findings will be unveiled at the event.
Mongolia,
where direct and indirect employment
same
time,
Although these measures exist in the various Asia and Pacific countries in varying degrees the ultimate contribution of the study is for the destinations to learn from each other’s experiences.
Tourism Asia | May 2012