Dhaka, April 17 -- According to UN Tourism data, following a slow initial recovery from the pandemic, Asia and the Pacific is now rapidly regaining its tourism strength.

In 2024, destinations across the region welcomed 316 million international arrivals, representing 87pc of pre-pandemic levels-a significant jump from 66pc at the end of 2023.

South Asia led the region's rebound, achieving a 92pc recovery. Among individual destinations, the Maldives saw the strongest growth, welcoming 20pc more tourists than in 2019, followed by Japan with a 16pc increase, Fiji with 10pc, and Sri Lanka with 7pc more arrivals compared to pre-pandemic figures.

Indonesia, the host of this year's Commission, welcomed 13.9 million tourists in 2024, recoverin...