Ep 104: The SEA Travel News Show: Two Months To Rescue Travel & Tourism in 2021!

About This Episode

4 Nov 2021 β€’ 23m00s

It’s been a dismal year so far for travel and tourism in South East Asia. Now, as vaccine rollouts accelerate and events – and reopening speculation – gather pace, we’re launching a brand new weekly show.

The SEA Travel News Show will feature a snappy mix of news, updates and mini interviews to keep you up to speed with the latest happenings here in South East Asia.

Our take-off edition features the latest from Thailand, Bali, Singapore and Australia.

Hannah joins Gary to chat through the potential outlook for travel and tourism for the rest of 2021 - and into 2022.

Phnom Penh-based Nick Ray, Founder of Hanuman Films and long-time Lonely Planet writer, dials in from the World Travel Market (WTM) in London to tell us about the South East Asian presence at the show.

And we finish in the Maldives, which recently received its 1 millionth visitor in 2021. Ruth Franklin, Co-Founder of Secret Paradise Maldives, tells us why she is feeling optimistic for tourism to the Indian Ocean archipelago in 2022.


The following podcast episodes were mentioned in this show:

View All Episodes

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Play
5 Aug 2026 β€’ 27m31s

Ep 314: As Intra-ASEAN Tourism Competition Intensifies, What Are South East Asia's Major New Battlegrounds?

2026 has been a mixed year for tourism across South East Asia, and all countries are preparing their future strategies. With arrivals growth slowing and competition to attract tourists intensifying, Wellness and Business Events are emerging as key battlegrounds. This week, Gary and Hannah analyse how some of the region’s key players, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia, are setting out their strategic stalls - or are they simply chasing the same tourists with different labels and campaigns?
Play
30 Jul 2026 β€’ 26m09s

Ep 313: Trip.com's Record Anti-Trust Fine, Singapore Airlines' Topsy-Turvy Financials & AI vs Tour Guides

“What a turbulent seven months 2026 has delivered so far.” Gary and Hannah examine recent travel and tourism developments across Southeast Asia, China, and India. Topics include China’s multi-billion RMB fine against Trip.com for alleged monopolistic practices, Malaysia’s unexpected F1 Grand Prix tourism impact, Singapore Airlines’ record revenue offset by substantial fuel cost increases, Cambodia Airlines’ aircraft order, Thai AirAsia’s domestic route suspensions, Singapore’s concert tourism season, AI’s effects on tour guiding, and a humorous story about a Philippines jail stay request.