The South East Asia Travel Show

Flight Cuts & Currency Drops, More Indian Tourists Head to Vietnam & Is an ASEAN Jet Fuel Stockpile Realistic?: May 2026 in Review 29.05.2026 30min

So, the fifth month of 2026 is complete - and it was another one dominated by the impacts of the US/Israel war in Iran/Lebanon. This week, Gary and Hannah recap May's top 8 travel takeaways from across ASEAN and beyond with stopovers in Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia, plus China, India and the UK. En route, we discuss flight route cuts across South East Asia, China, Japan and South Korea, and look at whether plans for an ASEAN reserve stockpile of crude oil would ease future jet fuel shocks. Meanwhile, visitor arrivals slowed in key markets and cratered in Cambodia and currency values fell sharply in Indonesia and Thailand. On a brighter note, carriers in Singapore and Malaysia are seeing growth on routes with Australia and Europe. Plus, we assess the surge of Indian tourists to Vietnam, and address the potential benefits of Xiaohongshu's impressive tourism tie-up in Singapore .

Vietnam's Travel & Tourism Profile is Red Hot in 2026 - So What Happens Next? 17.05.2026 34min

"Even if 75% of what Vietnam is planning comes together, it won't just become the second-biggest economy in South East Asia but one of the Top 20 worldwide." Vietnam's ambitious national transformation involves major expansion of its travel, tourism and transportation sectors - and huge investment is being staked by the government and its largest companies. But there is confusion.... On the one hand, Vietnam has set an official target of 50 million annual arrivals by 2030, while also making a pledge that tourism strategy will target high-spending visitors. Meanwhile, it welcomed more than 2 million inbound visitors in each of the first four months of 2026 for the first time. So, what happens next? This week, Gary and Hannah take a deep dive into all things Vietnam with special guest Mike Tatarski, Ho Chi Minh City-based founder of Vietnam Weekly. We cover a lot of ground, including the continuing development of resorts, theme parks and MICE facilities on the island of Phu Quoc, which will host the 2027 APEC Summit. We look at which inbound markets are driving growth, with China, India, South Korea and other ASEAN nations all playing their part. Plus, we asses the high cost of domestic flights and the changing digital payments landscape. And, we ask when the much-touted North-South High Speed Railway will start construction? When will the giant new Long Thanh International Airport actually open? How will passengers actually getting to and from it, and which airlines will be the first to take off and land?

How Concerned Should We Be About Hantavirus?, ASEAN's Shared Fuel Reserve & AirAsia Floats a Hotel Boat: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show 11.05.2026 19min

"There's a significant amount of downplaying the risk level to the public, but those striking disembarkation scenes with hazmat suits and water showers on the MV Hondius cruise ship tell us how seriously the WHO is taking this outbreak." Zoonotic viruses are back in the headlines six-and-a-half-years after Covid was identified in China. So too are terms like "Contact Tracing," "Mask Wearing" and "Breaking the Chains of Transmission". Gary and Hannah kickstart the week by taking a closer look at the unresolved questions and issues around the Hantavirus outbreak. We move on to Manila, where the ASEAN leaders discussed - and kicked down the road - a proposal to create a shared South East Asian fuel reserve to mitigate future energy shocks. Meanwhile, Singapore launched its annual swathe of new tourism initiatives and investments and AirAsia played coy about its coded intentions in the hotel world. And finally, we head to Bangkok were Pokemon is taking its IP tourism play to mainland South East Asia. Are countries simply adopting each others' ideas? All this and much more... NB: There have been 6 confirmed cases (plus 2 probable) and 3 confirmed deaths so far - correcting the mortality figure mentioned in the podcast.

Thailand's Newest Tourism Tax, 2 ASEAN Airlines in Global Flight Cuts Top 10 & Baby Shark in Singapore: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show 04.05.2026 17min

Why is Thailand considering a second tourism tax? Could the Philippines rescind its decision to scrap an outbound air travel fee? Which ASEAN airlines are cutting the most flights from May-July? And is India's outbound growth story hitting an energy-crunch roadblock? Those are four of the key questions Gary and Hannah ask and answer on our Start the Week show. To kickstart the May holiday week, we head to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Myanmar via India and South Korea to tackle the 6 top regional talking points. En route, we also discuss the implications of Thai Air Asia's domestic flight cuts - and the downgrading of its two-hub model in Bangkok. Changi T3 undergoes a major makeover as a tech-enhanced testbed for T5, and Grab begins cross-border ride-hailing services. Plus, Malaysia makes a play for healthcare tourists from Myanmar, and - much to Hannah's delight - Baby Shark arrives in Singapore for new IP Tourism collabs.

Vietnam's Long Thanh Challenges, Thailand's China Tourism Crisis & Fuel Surcharges Go Off-the-Chart in the Philippines: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show - Part 2 27.04.2026 21min

How high can airfare surcharges go in the Philippines? Is a 30% drop in Chinese flights to Thailand a short-term adjustment, or a long-term shift? Is Indonesia serious about levying ships in the Malacca Strait? And will oil deals with Russia give it more influence in South East Asia? These are four central questions in Part 2 of our Start the Week show, as Gary and Hanna break down the radiating effects of two months of war in the Middle East for travel and tourism in ASEAN and beyond. The show looks at the fuel cost increases affecting not just airport development in Vietnam, but infrastructure build-outs region-wide. Meanwhile, air travel fuel surcharges in the Philippines have almost topped out at level 19 on its scale, or have they? Plus, will the stratospheric cost of subsidising petrol and diesel pump prices for consumers force an early general election in Malaysia? All this, and much, much more...

Thailand & Cambodia Pursue Peace, Myanmar Nears ASEAN Return & Embodied AI Tourism in Malaysia: Start the Week in The South East Asia - Part 1 27.04.2026 15min

Is a rapprochement between Thailand and Cambodia getting closer? Could Myanmar soon return to ASEAN? And how will embodied AI transform the tourism landscape in South East Asia? Those are three of the top questions Gary and Hannah ask and answer in Part 1 of our two-part Start the Week show. To kickstart the lead-up to the May holiday period, we head to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and China to tackle the talking points that matter. The intervention of China could bring closer a resolution of the year-long border stand-off between Thailand and Cambodia that developed into military conflict. Geopolitical machinations are in motion in Myanmar as ASEAN prepares to welcome it back to the 11-nation fold. Meanwhile, Cambodia launches a new Green Season promotion to entice tourists during its shoulder season, tourism budget challenges multiply in the Philippines. Plus, robot dogs guide tourists at a Singapore wildlife reserve and a choreographed robot show heads to Malaysia. "The robots are coming!"

Vietnam's Travel Transformation Accelerates, Chocolate Hills Under Threat in the Philippines & What is the Value of Heritage in Singapore?: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show 20.04.2026 21min

"The challenges around jet fuel and flight cuts are going to get worse in the region before they get better." As South East Asian countries face up to tough economic choices from the Middle East war fallout, Gary and Hannah head to Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and China to tackle this week's big travel questions. We begin by discussing Vietnam's radical reshaping of its travel landscape and the MoUs signed last week by President To Lam with China related to cross-border railway development and Chinese COMAC planes. Next to Malaysia, where another KLIA service mishap is making headlines - this time related to the breakdown of its luggage delivery system. We look at how Singapore tourism and passenger numbers on Singapore Airlines proved resilient during a challenging first quarter of the year. Plus, we address different environmental issues for the Komodo National Park in Indonesia and the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines. Finally, we return to Singapore to discuss the role of heritage in society and its travel industry as rising costs, an ageing population and general disinterest among younger generations question the viability of traditional businesses brought to the city-state by immigrants from across Asia that are an integral part of the Singapore story.

The Philippines' Gloomy Tourism Year Gets Worse, Travel Insurance Mandate in Thailand & Grab's AI Travel Play: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show 13.04.2026 21min

"I wouldn't want to be either of them... What a mess to inherit" On this week’s kickstarter show, Gary and Hannah head to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines in search of answers to the region’s big travel and tourism questions. As the Middle East war's economic impacts bite, Malaysia considers extending its year-long Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign into 2027, an arrivals slump in Boracay adds gloom to the Philippines' tourism outlook, and Thailand considers a mandate to make travel insurance mandatory for all visitors. Meanwhile, ASEAN SuperApp Grab eases into the AI travel space with a focus on hotel booking, local food and, its major play, cross-border e-payments. Plus, what's behind Garuda Indonesia's huge 2025 financial loss? ("It's still melded to its past problems"), and new Tourism Ministers are appointed in Thailand and the Philippines.

How Have 6 Weeks of War Changed ASEAN's Travel Economies?: Start the Weekend with The South East Asia Travel Show 10.04.2026 14min

"Could South East Asia's travel landscape look different in 12-18 months time?" The economic impacts of war in the Middle East are writ large. The region imports huge quantities of oil, LNG, jet fuel, petrochemicals and fertilisers, which support businesses across many sectors. Fuel shortages are impacting the cost and supply of electricity, and governments are encouraging people and businesses to reduce energy usage. Some countries are implementing work-from-home policies, and food price inflation is already evident. But what about the travel sector? The cost and scarcity of jet fuel are among the many factors that travel and tourism players must contend with in the coming months. This week, Gary and Hannah start the weekend by addressing some of the broader outcomes of war for travel across South East Asia, Asia Pacific and beyond. What are the key lessons to be learned? How do they compare, or differ, to the Covid pandemic? And how might we be talking about these issues in 12 months time?

LCC Strategy Shifts, Türkiye & Taiwan in the Spotlight & Vietnam Targets 50 Million Visitors: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show 06.04.2026 17min

"Fuel now accounts for 50-55% of its operating costs. That previously was 30-35%". As we commence Week 6 of war in the Middle East, airline strategies are shifting as cost pressures intensify. South East Asia's LCCs are once again facing the financial strain. Gary and Hannah start the week in Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, plus Türkiye, Bahrain and Taiwan, in search of answers to the region's big travel questions. En route, we discuss Batik Air's decision to cut 35% of flights in April, following flight route and frequency retrenchments by VietJet, AirAsia and Cebu Pacific. Plus, we mull over Tony Fernandes' teaser comments about a tie-up with "a very large Turkish airline," and look at why start-up carrier SunPhuQuoc Airways has chosen Taipei for its first international route. We finish with another fascinating fashion and travel collab from Singapore, where the brilliant Asian Civilisations Museum is partnering with Japanese retail brand Uniqlo.

ASEAN'S Energy Crisis, Godzilla Heat, Changi in Vietnam & Eurovision Asia: March 2026 in Review 01.04.2026 27min

March 2026 will not be remembered fondly across Asia, as a worsening energy crisis impacts all sectors of regional economies, including travel. Gary and Hannah review the most eventful month for South East Asia since Covid - and provide up-to-date analysis of the current situation, and what to expect next. We look at the increasing airline fuel surcharge rates being applied, including an eye-watering 157% fare increase announced today. In response, Thailand has slashed its annual visitor arrivals target and AirAsia is reviewing the inauguration of its Bahrain transcontinental hub in June. Meanwhile, developmental tourism projects are still ongoing. We discuss a major long-term investment by a Thai hotel and mall owner, plus a fascinating collaboration between Vietnam's Sun Group and Singapore's Changi Airport. And, we finish on a musical note as Hannah waxes lyrical about the Eurovision Song Contest's debut Asian edition in Bangkok later this year, while Gary gets nostalgic as the Ministry of Sound's heads to Bali for a 5-week residency.

Sustainable Aviation & Tourist Entry Taxes in Singapore & Thailand, New Cruise Ports & Robot Dog Tour Guides: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show 30.03.2026 15min

As we enter a decisive week for Middle East warfare and diplomacy, South East Asia is watching with deepening collective and national economic concerns. Gary and Hannah start the week in Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia in search of answers to South East Asia's big travel questions. What are the implications of the upcoming ASEAN Leaders' Summit being cut to "the bare bones"? As Singapore delays implementation of its Sustainable Aviation Fuel Levy, is now the right time for Thailand to revive its THB300 Tourism Tax? Plus, cruise terminal development is a hot topic in Malaysia's Sarawak state on the island of Borneo, and Thailand wants to construct cruise terminals on the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman coast. Plus, we head to Singapore's beautifully fragrant Flower Dome, where robot smart dogs will provide new accessible tourism services.

A New Survey Report on the Impacts of War in the Middle East on Travel Businesses in South East Asia 26.03.2026 19min

"48% of South East Asian travel businesses believe that the prospects for their business in Q2 2026 are worse than they had anticipated at the start of the year." But, dig deeper and the opinion variances between travel industry players throughout the region are noticeable. On this week's show Hannah is in the hot seat, as Gary interviews her about a new survey report put together by her team at Pear Anderson and the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA). What have been the various impacts so far for travel businesses across South East Asia of war in the Middle East? Are inbound and outbound travel equally affected? How do travel operators view the outlook in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines? How might travel volumes shape up in Q2? Where might travel booking patterns be focused, or redirected to? Is South East Asia well placed to capture shifting demand? Will domestic travel take precedence as it did during Covid? What are the lessons from the pandemic that travel agents and tour operators are applying this time around? And how long will the tail be for the fuel crisis that is hurting economies across Asia? All this and much, much more...

Eid Travel Trends, Thailand Merges Tourism & Culture & Vientiane's Electric Pole Superstar: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show 23.03.2026 19min

Our fast-paced Monday morning Start The Week show is back. This week, Gary and Hannah stop over in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines in search of the answers to South East Asia's big travel questions. We look at the Eid holiday trends across the region and even into China, and assess an intriguing new flight service connecting Vietnam, Kazakhstan and Czech Republic. Plus, we deconstruct the reasons why Thailand's government wants to merge the Ministries of Tourism and Culture, and summarise the findings of a new report about the challenges of tourism infrastructure development in the Philippines. Plus, why hasn't the Philippines' President named a successor to the departed Secretary of Tourism? And why has an electricity pole in the Laotian capital Vientiane become a viral hit on social media?

As the Energy Crisis Impacts Spread Across Asian Travel, Can K-pop Save the World? 19.03.2026 22min

As the energy crisis impacts start to diversify across Asia, Gary and Hannah ask a simple question: Can K-pop save the world? This week's journey takes us from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos to Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, plus Maldives and Sri Lanka. En route we assess some of the radiating outcomes of war in the Middle East that go far beyond airlines and air connectivity. And we turn to South Korea for hope and inspiration. Will the BTS World Tour that kicks off this weekend inspire a bigger economic boom than Taylor Swift's Eras money machine? And can K-pop Demon Hunters' concert dates instil an upbeat vibe throughout the region?

The Economic Impacts of War in the Middle East for Travel & Tourism Across South East Asia 13.03.2026 33min

“It’s a cliche to say that everything is in flux, and that there is a great deal of uncertainty across travel economies. But it’s true.” The US and Israel’s ongoing aerial bombardment of Iran and Lebanon - and the worsening unintended consequences of retaliatory strikes on energy assets and other installations across the Middle East - are raising crisis fears across Asian economies. Travel and tourism are once again in the cross-hairs, and it’s starting to feel like Covid 2.0. How are travellers, governments and travel operators responding across South East Asia – and what are the critical issues to prepare for? This week, Gary and Hannah journey through the murky waters of crisis travel economics as wartime uncertainties escalate. En route we discuss energy costs, tour cancellations, refund policies, repatriation costs, booking windows and flight re-routings. We address cost of living increases, inflation, jet fuel, fare spikes, fuel surcharges, energy subsidies, plane leasing and currency volatility. Plus, how important are Middle Eastern and European source markets for different ASEAN visitor economies? Where do Seychelles fit into the equation? And should we plan for a short-term increase of intra-regional travel?

War in Iran & Lebanon Raises New Questions for South East Asian Travel Economies: Pre-Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show 07.03.2026 16min

"We don't know when this war is going to end, but already we are seeing a great degree of uncertainty return to travel and tourism in South East Asia." One week after the US and Israel began attacking Iran and Lebanon, what are the short-term outcomes for travel in the region - and what are the risks waiting up ahead? This week, Gary is in Seoul and he asks some of the structural questions the travel industry will be thinking about as a major economic shock looms. Is connective global air travel too centralised? Will Lufthansa's new Frankfurt-KL service stimulate more direct connectivity between European and South East Asian markets? How resilient is Vietnam's tourism sector beneath the bullish forecasts? Is now the right time to transition away from visitor arrivals and tourist spending as the competitive metrics? Will travel conference programmers take geo-strategy and geo-economics more seriously and start discussing them in the same detail as AI and sustainability? Above all, are regional travel economies implementing the risk mitigation strategies they should have been preparing during Covid?

ASEAN's Air Travel Outlook: Where are the Hotspots & Slow-Motion Markets?: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show 02.03.2026 28min

"Vietnam's international air market is the biggest story in South East Asia." ASEAN's breakout travel and tourism star leads the bullish projections about air travel, but structural issues in South East Asia's biggest market, Indonesia, drag down the overall 2026 outlook. Longer-term, sustained growth is predicted, but where are the hotspots to watch, and which are the slow-motion markets? This week, Gary is joined by Singapore-based aviation consultant Brendan Sobie to dissect the travel outlook from the skies above ASEAN. En route, we discuss domestic and regional market growth factors, yields and profitability for long-haul carriers, and the divergence between peak and off-peak demand, fares and load factors. While aircraft manufacturers classify South East Asia as the world's fastest growing air market, we check the pulse of key markets, like Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand - and assess the evolving influences of Asia's two mega-markets, China and India

Asia's Most Connected Country by 2030, Vietnam's Airlines Go Plane Shopping & Thailand's Petrol Station Hotels: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show 23.02.2026 20min

From hotels on petrol (gas) station forecourts in Thailand to Singapore's ingenious tourism match-making scheme... On our fast-paced Start The Week show, Gary and Hannah stop over in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines and India in search of the answers to travel's big questions. We begin by discussing ASEAN representation on the Gaza Board of Peace, aircraft orders tied to tariff negotiations and whether the Indonesia-US trade deals still stands. Plus, can Malaysia become "Asia Pacific's most connected nation" by 2030? Why is Farm Tourism sowing collaborative seeds in the Philippines? And Why is Vietnam emerging as a hot vegetarian destination for Indian tourists? Plus, why are we talking about Aunties Not Algorithms? And will more South East Asian countries convert petrol (gas) stations into hotels as the region transitions to EVs?

Lunar New Year Segues into Ramadan, Thailand's Koh Samui Bridge & ASEAN Airlines Take Off for Europe: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show 16.02.2026 16min

Where will Chinese tourists head for the longest Spring Festival holiday in history? How will regional travel hold up for the Lunar New Year break? And will the close proximity of the LNY and the Eid holiday seasons influence travel patterns in parts of South East Asia? On our fast-paced Start The Week show, Gary and Hannah stop over in,Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, China, Bahrain, London & Amsterdam in search of the answers to travel's big questions. En route, we discuss short-term rental sector challenges in the Philippines, and European flight expansions by Air Asia X, Vietnam Airlines & Thai Airways. Plus, we find out how much travellers would be prepared to pay to drive across the planned bridge connecting eastern Thailand with Koh Samui - and how would this affect the popular ferry routes?