International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Chart of the Week: Easing Restrictions Met with High Demand in Asia Pacific

Travel and entry policies within the Asia Pacific region have progressed very differently since the beginning of the year.

Countries that ease travel restrictions benefit from a steep increase in bookings.

When the Australian government decided to reopen the country to tourists, international bookings for travel to the country jumped from 57% of pre-pandemic levels to 90%. Similarly in Indonesia, bookings have reached 84% of 2019 levels thanks to the lifting of travel restrictions from January this year.

On the other hand, China and Japan remain almost fully closed to international visitors and traffic – a situation that contrasts greatly with the recent developments in the region.

These travel policies will continue to hamper GDP growth in other Asian destinations.