The domestic tourism study was launched in September 2011 by the Regional Representation of Asia and the Pacific of UNWTO with the sponsorship of the Republic of Korea. The responses based on a concept note and a detailed set of Terms of Reference (ToR) – outlined in the Introduction to the present publication – were received from academics, professionals and tourism administrators of the following countries: Australia, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. The main objectives were outlined as follows:
a) Compile domestic tourism statistics and analyze characteristics focusing on its socioeconomic impact and resilient capacity;
b) elucidate information on the accommodation (formal and informal), transport, leisure, and safety and security sectors that have a bearing on domestic tourism;
c) provide guidelines for sustainable development of domestic tourism and highlight best practice cases in terms of strategies, policies and product development;
d) increase the related stakeholders’ awareness of domestic tourism which plays an important role in socio-economic development and industry’s resilience during global crisis situation;
e) serve as a useful groundwork for further studies on domestic tourism in Asia and the Pacific and the rest of the world.
