UK needs to net more SE Asian tourists: Kuoni

SOUTH-EAST Asia’s travel appetite is only getting bigger as its economies boom, and the UK is trailing behind other European destinations in chasing this market, said Kuoni Group.

In a statement released last week, Kuoni said the company met with prime minister David Cameron to discuss the importance of inbound tourism and regional development.

The UK currently falls behind France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany when it comes to popular European destinations for group travellers from South-east Asia.

The UK has only a five per cent share of group travel from the region, as compared with France’s 22 per cent.

Group travel is a popular travel option in Asia as it removes the hassle and obstacles of overcoming language barriers, planning itineraries, and booking transport and accommodation.

Some 600 million people live in South-east Asia, with a combined GDP of US$2.1 trillion, reported HSBC. With the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community taking root end-2015, regional trade is expected to soar.

Kuoni’s vice president of inbound UK, Rob Andrew, said in the release: “Upgraded infrastructure coupled with political and legislative commitment will help drive trade links, both within the ASEAN region but also with the rest of the world in coming years. This will in turn drive the growth of potentially millions of middle-class consumers with a greater desire and ability to travel.

“VisitBritain’s GREAT campaign has been and remains a success story that it should rightly be proud of. Unfortunately, at present, the agency can only afford to focus its efforts on Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore as ‘nurture’ markets and showcases its destinations in none of the other seven (ASEAN) countries.”

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