Asian travel demand will close 5% down for 2009 in part due to sharp declines in travellers from South Korea. Longhaul destinations such as Europe are being hit hardest as Japanese, Chinese, Indians and Thais also choose to stay home or travel within Asia.

Travel demand for 2010 is likely to pick up, and spending is likely to lag at around 2005-2006 levels. Prospects for 2010 will be greatly determined by any return of consumer confidence in Japan and China.

These are just some of the key trends highlighted in the latest ITB World Travel Trends Report, commissioned by Messe Berlin, the organisers of ITB Berlin, and compiled by IPK International.

The ITB World Travel Trends Report findings show that Asian travel demand averaged a more than a 10% decline January-June. However, some market recovery has been recorded since July 2009, indicating that the Asian travel industry is over the worst.

The report notes that Chinese travellers may be more recession-proof than the Japanese. In Europe, for example, the total spend by Chinese tourists on transport, accommodation, food and beverages and incidentals (i.e. excluding shopping) was €240 per night, as against €320 for Japanese, €185 for Koreans.