Travel to and from Asia through LAX picked up markedly in the first quarter, reversing a three-year downturn and providing a potential lift for the local economy, according to travel agents and analysts.

The Asian market, a crucial element in the local tourism industry, fell sharply after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It hit more turbulence around this time last year when the SARS outbreak and the war with Iraq put a virtual halt to cross-Pacific travel.

Los Angeles International Airport figures, which don't break down international destinations by region, show a nearly 5 percent increase in all foreign travel for the first two months of the year. However, there is agreement that Asia is driving much of the gains. Airlines report fewer empty seats to the region, and some carriers, such as American Airlines, have added flights.

"We are seeing a tremendous rebound in corporate travel to Asia," said Eric Maryanov, president of the All-Travel agency in Los Angeles. "It started right after the first of the year and has been steady ever since."

He said his company's bookings from the L.A. area to Asia nearly tripled in the first quarter, to $425,000 from $150,000 during the like period last year. The increase has primarily come from corporate clients, particularly telecommunications and computer companies. Apparel manufacturers also travel frequently to China to view upcoming product lines.

"Before we had people taking one trip per quarter," he said. "Now it's a lot of traffic back and forth. It's a huge pick-up."

Suzanne Newman, senior vice president of operations for Navigant International Inc., a travel management services company based out of Englewood, Colo., said the comeback is a product of economics.

"There's a tremendous amount of building development and the actual manufacturing of parts that happens in Singapore," she said. "As long as people buy those products here, there's a greater need to manufacture there and travel there."

Another factor, she added, is the increase in offshore outsourcing to Asia, which has increased the need for overseas travel as companies set up offices, hire workers and inspect products.

The leisure segment, which makes up about 40 percent of total travel to Asia, had been sluggish for almost three years, and is now showing improvement. "Vacation travel seems to be coming back with equal strength," Oliver said.