REGIONAL TOURISM PERFORMANCE, TRENDS AND POST COVID 19 MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES: ASIA-PACIFIC PERSPECTIVE

Tourism is one of the primary economy driving sectors for most of the countries in the 21st century. Some countries provide outmost priority for the tourism industry because of its value contribution to the GDP. Tourism generates multiple levels of income for the inbound country. Due to the unexpected pandemic outbreak during late 2019 most of the sectors got a huge blow and were forced to halt all their operations for an uncertain period. Tourism is no exception to this sudden pause. Even tourism is one of the industries that have severe impact because of this COVID 19 outbreak. Countries around the world have experienced bitterness and suffering of the direct and indirect participants involved in the sector. Now most of the nations are preparing to resume their tourist operations at the earliest possible with well formulated safety and wellbeing norms.This research was undertaken to evaluate the primary tourism indicators of Asia Pacific region and the sub regions. The study also focuses on past trends, and future opportunities. The performance of the Asia Pacific region is well balanced and progressive till 2019 with an annual composite growth rate of 12%. The future prospects have hopeful sight only after 2022 with fear of travel due to health hazard.