| In
response to declining international arrivals, Southeast
Asia focused its attention on developing and promoting
domestic tourism. In recent years, changing travel
patterns have emerged in the region as its people
start to enjoy economic affluence and hence, domestic
tourism has developed dramatically. In view of this
emerging trend in the region, this paper examines
the region’s demography to discover the potential
demand for domestic tourism and to identify the implications
of the region’s changing population with respect
to domestic tourism planning, marketing and product
development. Secondary data analysis is performed
on population and tourism statistics. The decline
of fertility and the consequent ageing of populations
are the most significant demographic developments
in the region and have profound implications on the
social and economic life of each nation, as well as
in domestic tourism marketing, planning and development.
To determine the full potential for domestic tourism
and to effectively plan, market and develop sustainable
domestic tourism products, there is a need for the
national tourism organizations to have a continuing
research strategy with respect to demand for domestic
tourism focusing on socio-demographic analysis, attitudes
towards domestic tourism, and acceptability and affordability
of domestic tourism products. |
