Asian destinations are set to see a boom in tourism over the next two years, according to the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

In its Asia Pacific Tourism Forecasts 2005-7, the organisation predicts overall growth in international visitor numbers of 10.6 per cent per year, with each of the 40 countries covered in the report likely to see positive growth.

The country set to see the greatest increase is Malaysia, with a predicted 20.9 per cent rise in inbound visitors – continuing the trend for massive growth projected in 2000.

The organisation said the region’s growth was due to a number of factors, including recovery from the tsunami, the emergence of low-cost airlines, new generation aircraft and the rapidly-rising middle classes in Asia.

Growth is expected to slow down for many countries towards 2007 however, as the current boost is largely due to recovery from the previous downturn – the result of SARS, war and terror – and will stabilise at a lower rate.

The south Asia region has also recently been praised for its achievements in tourism by Dr Dawid De Villiers, deputy secretary general of the World Tourism Organisation. He particularly highlighted peace initiatives between India and Pakistan as greatly facilitating travel.

Pakistan’s government has also shown its commitment to tourism with the formation – for the first time in its history – of a separate ministry of tourism. Details: www.PATA.org or www.world-tourism.org