Most, if not all of the countries in Asia have turned the corner in terms of the Asian Crisis, and have witnessed the positive effects of increased traffic to and from their shores.
In TNA last month we showed how outbound traffic from virtually all of the major Asia Pacific countries had grown in the first six months of the year. Likewise, many national tourism organisations are finding recent arrival figures exceeding their optimistic expectations.
What countries are encountering, however, is that volume is only one part of the tourism equation. In many countries the volume is there, but not the yield. But it is a vast improvement on the 'no volume, no yield' situation of recent times.
The worst performing country of the year has undoubtedly been Indonesia. Forest fires, political unrest, and riots have done nothing to boost arrivals figures. Jakarta's hotels been worst hit, with occupancies this year in the twenties.
But even Indonesia has reason to be optimistic as it enters the new millennium. The new government and a restructured tourism ministry, will do much to boost the industry - assuming, of course, that further violence fails to erupt.
Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Korea have all benefited from the region's changing economic climate. Inter-regional travel has picked up dramatically, which can be attributed to rising incomes, combined with a change in work patterns.
The Asian traveller is also maturing, research shows, and is moving away from group tours to more active forms of holiday activity.
However, the best news for the industry as we enter the new millennium lies not with the the region's mature markets, but its emerging ones.
These countries are the ones that hold the key to the region's fortunes. It is estimated that outbound traffic from China could reach more than 100 million within the next 20 years, with the Indian market not far behind.
Being on the doorstep of such a mass of people will lead to numerous opportunities for other Asian countries.
Such promise should be enough to raise the spirits of even the most crisis-weary travel industry professional!
Festive greetings from TNA - and good luck in the next millennium.