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The Pacific Asia Travel Association expects visitor arrivals in Asia to fall by more than 4% this year, because the global economic slump and concerns about the swine flu discourage travelers. Greg Duffell, president of PATA, says rising unemployment in many countries is causing the decline. Many tourism markets continue to see dramatic declines in traveler numbers. Singapore reports arrivals down more than 30% from a year ago. In South Korea, arrivals have declined by as much as 40% some months this year. In Japan, foreign visitor arrivals in May fell by more than 30%. John Koldowski, PATA's director of intelligence, says lower economic growth forecasts combined with a loss of business confidence and the spreading H1N1 flu virus have hurt bith the business and leisure travel markets. |