Recent forecasts have highlighted Vietnam and Macau as the leading destinations expected to experience the fastest growth in tourist arrivals in the Asia-Pacific region between 2025 and 2027. According to the "PATA Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2026-2028: Mid-Year Update," these two jurisdictions, which both feature prominent casino industries, will stand out for their rapid growth.
This report, made by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) with input from the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, underlines a variety of trends and challenges impacting tourism in the region.
Vietnam's and Macau's Growth Trajectory
As the report suggests, Vietnam is expected to show the strongest growth among Asia-Pacific's top 10 tourist destinations. By 2027, it's projected that Vietnam's international tourist arrivals will surge by 31.2 percent, reaching 27.8 million visitors. Notably, Vietnam's gaming industry contributes to this trend, with several casinos predominantly catering to foreign passport holders.
Among a handful of local exceptions, the Corona Resort & Casino at Phu Quoc Island and The Grand Ho Tram resort near Ho Chi Minh City allow gambling by a limited number of economically-qualified locals.
Macau follows closely on this growth path, with expectations of a 19.4 percent increase in visitor arrivals during the same period. While the sheer volume of visitors does not directly equate to gambling demand, the influx provides significant marketing opportunities for Macau's 20 licensed casinos. This potential for enhanced economic activity underscores the resilience of both Vietnam's and Macau's tourism sectors post-COVID-19.
Regional Tourism Challenges and Outlook
Across the broader region of 39 Asia-Pacific destinations, the growth in international arrivals is projected to reach 714.9 million in 2026, increasing further to 758.8 million by 2027, and reaching 789.2 million by 2028. This indicates a visitor arrival level of 115.6 percent compared to 2019's pre-pandemic figures.
Despite these positive projections, the PATA report also warns of several geopolitical and economic risks that could impact tourism in the coming years. Escalating geopolitical tensions and energy market volatility could influence fuel prices, aviation costs, and therefore, air connectivity.
Similarly, inflationary pressures and increased living costs in multiple source markets might adversely affect discretionary travel spending particularly, amongst middle-income households and long-haul travelers.
S&P Global's credit analyst Flora Chang further indicates that if high oil prices persist, there might be a decline in travel demand as consumers reduce discretionary leisure spending. However, the forecasts suggest that the larger destinations within Asia-Pacific, including China's mainland with its substantial tourist base, are transitioning into a mature phase of growth. These developments underscore the need for flexibility and innovation within the tourism sector to maintain its growth trajectory.
Source: Vietnam, Macau to lead Asia-Pacific tourist arrival growth in period up 2027: PATA, GGRAsia, July 2, 2026.
Posted by Wizard
Jul 02 2026
Jul 02 2026
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