Asia-Pacific air fares to fall

Asia-Pacific air fares to fall

(Reuters photo)
(Reuters photo)

Air fares in Asia-Pacific are expected to fall by 1.1% next year against a 2.5% rise in global rates seen in the period.

The most significant drops in the region are expected to take place in Japan and Singapore, by 2.8% and 5.5%, respectively, given currency exchange rate projections.

But overall air travel prices are expected to remain largely stable throughout 2017.

These findings come from the 2017 Global Travel Price Outlook research by the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association, and leading travel management company Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

With Australia, China and India considered regional leading markets for air travel, all markets -- big and small -- are fiercely competitive, ensuring no major price hikes.

While low-cost carriers may be gaining ground in many markets around the world, they will struggle for the foreseeable future in penetrating the corporate market in Asia-Pacific, where buyers and travellers put a premium on high-end service, according to the research.

Air fare projections in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are mixed.

According to the research, Eastern Europe will see a 4% rise in prices due in part to limited competition, while prices in Western Europe are expected to rise by 0.5% and in the Middle East and Africa by 2%.

Latin America and the Caribbean would see a 1.9% drop in prices. I North America, fares are projected to rise by 3.7%.

The research said hotel prices in Asia-Pacific would fall marginally next year, by 0.6%. EMEA again varies by region as geopolitical issues impact on hotel rates.

Low oil and gas prices have led to a decline in corporate demand for the sector, primarily in the Middle East, Africa and Russia.

Hotel prices in Eastern Europe are expected to fall 2.4%, those in Western Europe to rise 1.8%, and rates in the Middle East and Africa will fall slightly, by 0.5%.

Prices in Latin America and the Caribbean are projected to fall by 0.9%. Overall, North American hotel prices are expected to rise by 4% in 2017.

The research highlights six key risks that could affect both travel industry prices and the global economy as a whole.

They are emerging market performance, financial market turbulence, geopolitical risks, uncertainty surrounding Brexit, potentially fluctuating US interest rates, and oil prices.

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