Tourism is important to many economies, particularly those in Asia and the Pacific.

Across the region, tourism generated financial inflows, with tourism receipts of $411 billion in 2018. The sector boosts physical and digital infrastructure investment, strengthens links between people, promotes entrepreneurship, and stimulates employment, especially in emerging markets and developing Asia.

Global tourism grew steadily from 2008 to 2019, with the number of international tourists increasing from 920 million in 2008 to around 1.5 billion in 2019. The gains were encouraged by the liberalization of the air travel market, the emergence of budget

airlines, and innovations in digital and mobile technology that facilitated bookings for accommodations and airfares.