Ep 115: 2022: The Current State of Travel & Tourism in South East Asia

Listen to this episode

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Podbean

View All Episodes

About This Episode

7 Jan 2022 • 29m00s

It’s January. This should be peak season for travel across South East Asia. But 2022 is not starting as a ‘normal’ year.

Instead, as we prepare for a third year of living with COVID-19, the impending spread of Omicron dominates the economic and social discourse across the region. Shards of light for travel and tourism glistened briefly back in November 2021, but most borders are once again closed or heavily patrolled. The same applies throughout much of Asia Pacific.

So, Gary and Hannah kickstart the third year of the podcast by updating the current situation in 9 of the 10 ASEAN countries (in order of appearance): Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

The important Lunar New Year holiday period looks like being domestic-only again this year, and a washout for intra-regional travel - but what are the prospects for the rest of the first quarter of 2022?

« Next Episode Ep 116: 22 For 2022: A Wishlist for Travel & Tourism in ASEAN - Part I Previous Episode » Ep 114: 2021 in Review: The Good, The Bad & The Delta Variant

View All Episodes

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Play

21 Sep 2026 • 32m49s

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

43 million. 15,000. 250. 154. 60%. 40%. 34%. Restating its statistical credentials is a vital part of AirAsia’s battle to reclaim the media narrative that it was starting to lose last week, reassure passengers and investors and arrest its market cap rout. As it reiterates its importance to ASEAN’s air travel landscape, the crucial number to watch is 70 million. During a combative press performance on Friday, AirAsia Co-Founder, Tony Fernandes, attacked media reporting, repeatedly stated that the KL-based, ASEAN-centric carrier group is financially viable and is seeking funding to recapitalise its debts at a lower borrowing cost not to stay afloat.

Play

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.

Ep 115: 2022: The Current State of Travel & Tourism in South East Asia

About This Episode

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

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

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?

Hannah Pearson

Gary Bowerman