Tourism continues to be the region's most sustainable economic driver.

Tourism continues to be an important economic driver, with both outbound and intra-regional tourism experiencing strong growth.

This is a key point highlighted in the "Annual Report on Economic Outlook 2026" published by the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI).

Accordingly, tourism will continue to be one of the most sustainable economic drivers of the Asia- Pacific region in 2025.

The moment the two branches of the Engagement Bridge "touched" each other amidst a dazzling display of fireworks.

The report clearly analyzes that in the first half of 2025, Singapore's outbound tourism spending was $2.7 billion higher than the same period in 2019; meanwhile, Indonesia and the Philippines led the region with outbound tourism spending increases of 40% and 28%, respectively.

International tourism to Japan and some ASEAN countries has returned to a stable state, while intra-regional tourism continues to expand as consumers prioritize experiences over tangible goods.

The strong growth in leisure and experience spending demonstrates the sustainability of the services sector in Asia- Pacific and reaffirms its leading role in the region's economic outlook.

Phu Quoc International Airport is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade by Sun Group, applying the most advanced design and technology available today, and will be operated by Changi Airport Group (the operator of Changi Airport, Singapore), promising to become one of the most modern airports in the world.

Along with highlighting the importance of tourism, the Report should also clearly identify key economic drivers for 2026. These include the continued restructuring of global trade following tariff adjustments in 2025, and mainland China's increased diversification of exports to new markets, as the share of e-commerce sales from China to the US declines from 28% (in 2024) to 24% (as of August 2025). For the Asia-Pacific region, this shift presents both risks and opportunities: markets that import large quantities of inexpensive goods from mainland China are experiencing deflationary trends in imported goods, while exporters in Japan and some parts of South Asia face pressure from US tariffs and weakening external demand. Despite these adjustments, Asia-Pacific's central position in the global supply chain remains intact. India, ASEAN, and mainland China are playing increasingly larger roles as businesses restructure their supply chains and investment flows.

Furthermore, MEI's analysis indicates that the application of AI, along with targeted fiscal support, will become key drivers of growth in 2026. According to MEI's AI Spending Index, South Korea, Japan, India, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are showing strong growth in the adoption of AI tools in both the business and consumer sectors. Simultaneously, selective industrial and infrastructure policies, such as the development of AI hubs, data centers, smart cities, and investments in semiconductors, are laying the groundwork for the next phase of digitalization. Overall, these shifts are helping the Asia-Pacific region position itself to benefit strongly in the global productivity transformation driven by AI.

According to representatives from the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI), growth in the Asia-Pacific region remains generally stable as the global economy adapts to changes in tariffs, a wave of investment in AI, and shifting consumer trends. Globally, MEI forecasts real GDP growth to slow slightly to 3.1% in 2026, compared to an estimated 3.2% in 2025.

MEI believes that the global economic outlook for 2026 is shaped by two parallel sets of factors: risks and opportunities. Fiscal stimulus packages and rapid technological advancements, particularly the integration of AI into business operations, are expected to provide strong drivers of growth. However, the benefits from these drivers will be uneven across regions. Simultaneously, prolonged geopolitical tensions and ongoing supply chain restructuring continue to create disruptions, increasing uncertainty for trade and manufacturing. The uneven distribution of technological benefits could also create policy and growth challenges in some markets.

The romantic beauty of Sunset Town.

Despite some contrarian factors, MEI forecasts GDP growth in the Asia-Pacific region to remain stable in 2026. A combination of cooling inflation, supportive monetary policy, and rising real incomes in some markets is improving household living conditions and bolstering overall regional stability. Consumers will continue to embrace technology and value, prioritizing meaningful moments like travel and in-person experiences, while remaining price-sensitive for essential needs. Tourism continues to be a key economic driver, with both outbound and intraboundary tourism showing strong growth.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/van-de-quan-tam/du-lich-tiep-tuc-la-dong-luc-kinh-te-ben-vung-nhat-cua-khu-vuc-20251212095301410.htm