The South East Asia Travel Show

14 Sep 2026 • 20m54s

Ep 318: How Deep Are AirAsia's Financial Troubles? And How Vital is AirAsia to the Air Travel Landscapes of South East Asia & Asia Pacific?

“It’s hard to imagine how South East Asia’s air travel landscape would look without AirAsia.” This podcast episode examines AirAsia’s financial crisis and regional significance. The airline group operates 7 carriers across 5 countries and serves as a vital connector throughout ASEAN and broader Asia-Pacific markets. The episode details AirAsia’s current struggles, including an RM831 million second-quarter loss attributed to the 2026 Iran War fuel crisis. The airline has reduced capacity by up to 25% and seeks approximately US$1.

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11 Sep 2026 • 32m04s

Ep 317: Vietnam's Golden Tourism Year Continues, Thailand Revises its Visa Rules for Travellers & AirAsia Tests New Routes into Europe

So, we’re just three weeks away from that all important fourth quarter of the year - and it’s a hectic time across the travel landscape, with plenty of talking points to deconstruct. This week, Gary and Hannah discuss the air travel impacts of a major volcanic eruption (with a familiar name) in Indonesia and a State of Emergency in Malaysia caused by wild fire “haze”. Plus, we look at how Russian, Chinese and South Korean tourists are fuelling Vietnam’s dynamic inbound surge, while Cambodia counts the cost of a dismal year for international arrivals.

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21 Aug 2026 • 35m46s

Ep 316: Thailand's Tourism Tax is Back, Vietnam Targets 50 Million Visitors & Russia Entices South East Asian Tourists

“Tourists are now viewed as a source of taxation revenue. It’s increasingly hard to raise taxes on your own citizens, but if you have 30+ million tourists each year, that’s a lot of potential tax you can raise.” This week, Gary and Hannah discuss the multiple challenges Thailand faces in increasing its proposed tourism tax, from THB300 to THB450 - and collecting it. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s stellar tourism run continues with a raft of upcoming initiatives and an eye-watering new inbound tourism target.

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14 Aug 2026 • 27m26s

Ep 315: Australia Zones-in on ASEAN Tourists, Vietnam Loads Up WeChat & Brunei Wants to Join the "1 Million Tourists Club"

“With two-thirds of 2026 almost complete, tourism strategies, plans and developments are loaded with extra meaning. 2027 is looming up ahead… This week, Gary and Hannah journey across South East Asia and to Australia to ask and answer this week’s top tourism questions. We begin Down Under where Australia’s new 10-year tourism roadmap is simply world class. We discuss why. Next to Brunei, which is rolling out various tourism initiatives as it targets 1 million arrivals in 2027.

The Travel Industry Podcast for ASEAN and Asia Pacific...

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Ep 319: AirAsia Fights Back: Why is '70 Million' the South East Asian Carrier's Most Important Strategic Forecast?

About The Podcast

August 2022: In Review

July 2022: In Review

📻 Recent Episodes

Ep 318: How Deep Are AirAsia's Financial Troubles? And How Vital is AirAsia to the Air Travel Landscapes of South East Asia & Asia Pacific?

Ep 317: Vietnam's Golden Tourism Year Continues, Thailand Revises its Visa Rules for Travellers & AirAsia Tests New Routes into Europe

Ep 316: Thailand's Tourism Tax is Back, Vietnam Targets 50 Million Visitors & Russia Entices South East Asian Tourists

Ep 315: Australia Zones-in on ASEAN Tourists, Vietnam Loads Up WeChat & Brunei Wants to Join the "1 Million Tourists Club"

Hannah Pearson

Gary Bowerman