Opinion

Growing Importance of Intra-Regional Travel


By Dean M. Bernardo, eTN Manila.

Manila, the Philippines (21 June 2017) – UNWTO – Marcio Favilla, the Executive Director for Operational Programmes and Institutional Relations of the United Nations World Tourism Organization highlighted the growing significance of Intra-Regional Travel.

The UNWTO official cited the phenomenal growth of Asia at 80% between Southeast Asia, and China, South Korea and Japan. The official took note of the robust and resiliency of the region through its continuing promotions.

The promotion process tells the world of what these countries has to offer to the world, citing the Philippines as a prime example of a nation with “great advantage.”


Favilla said Filipinos are kind people with kind smiles who welcomes guests from all over the world, an advantage that continues to win hearts of its neighbors.

The entire region is greatly benefiting from two revolutions: the Information Technology revolution and the Travel revolution sweeping across the world and with a rising generation of tech-savy travellers, tourism is far different to what was before.

Countries should continue to adopt new technologies in order to take advantage of these growing opportunities, such as, promotions before were done with flyers while now its easily done through social media.
UNWTO Regional Director for the Asia-Pacific region Xu Jing also added that acquiring interests from among Chinese tourists is now more readily and easily done sing social media platforms instead of travel agencies.