Recommend December 2013 - (Page 56)

a sia / s o uth p aci f i c ASIA & THE SOUTH PACIFIC in the rearview mirror This past year, Asia and the South Pacific saw some game-changing moves come into play- moves that may lure more visitors come 2014. sergio ortiz As far as travel to Asia is concerned, it's tricky to look back on the past year because the continent is so varied, eclectic and baffling with growth and mesmerizing new destinations. Projects and developments ranging from the modest to the ultra-luxurious seem to sprout almost overnight, while the number of visitors flocking to all corners of this vast land appears growing with no end in sight. The South Pacific, too, is in transition with growth so rapid that a traveler often experiences the uneasy feeling of arriving into a new and unexplored destination-even when his last visit was only a few months back. In what the Chinese zodiac calls the Year of the Snake, 2013 has slithered away after a successful run-and 2014, the Year of the Horse, looks like it will gallop in graceful strides that promise a rosy outlook for the travel industry-as tourism, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, generated $293 billion in the Asia-Pacific region during the past year. Some destinations received considerable play while other equally alluring places were mere spear holders in the vast drama of world tourism. When it comes to welcoming visitors, 2013 saw many time-tested destinations hold their own and the uptick of travelers to Asia and the South Pacific region indicates that tourists are venturing beyond the usual spots. In this feature, rather than stretch myself thin and cover various destinations, I decided to focus on some of my favorite spots in the region. japan In the March 2013 issue, I wrote an onsite review on Kyushu, Japan's southern island. I personally find this destination one of 56 december 2013 Japan's most spectacular and singular places, an opinion shared by many. Shuichi Kameyama, director of international tourism at the Ja- pan Tourism Agency (jnto.go.jp/eng), was quoted in that onsite as saying that although Americans comprised only 3 percent of the total number of tourists in 2012, the region expects "definitely a higher number in 2013." The latest figures (October 2013) shows Kameyama's uncanny foresight: the number of American visitors has risen to about 5 percent. Hiroyosu Konishi, manager, overseas division of Kyushu's Tourism Promotion Organization (welcomekyushu.com), was also quoted in that onsite as saying that "anyone who wants to see a little paradise and enjoy our onzen (traditional Japanese bath houses) and other purely Japanese treats will delight in Kyushu." Both were proven correct. Myanmar's rise in tourism has been meteoric. insider's tip for independent travelers If your clients hate schlepping heavy bags in trains, taxis or buses while in Japan, then Takkyubin (kuronekoyamato.com.jp/en) is a must. This nationwide delivery service company allows travelers to send luggage ahead to their destinations. The service is flawless and extremely reliable. recommend.com ABERCROMBIE & KENT http://jnto.go.jp/eng http://www.welcomekyushu.com http://kuronekoyamato.com.jp/en http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend December 2013

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Canyon Ranch
Tour Talk: Insight Vacations
17th Annual Recommend Readers' Choice Awards Winners
Cruising 2013
Discovering North America
Caribbean Trends
Anguilla Travel Agent Specialist Program
Asia & The South Pacific in the Rearview Mirror
Mexico 2013
Latin America in 2013 and Beyond
Africa + The Middle East Continue to Make Stides
Nostalgic for Europe

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