Ep 151: Good News for South East Asia as Japan, Taiwan & Hong Kong Reboot Travel

About This Episode

29 Sep 2022 • 31m02s

A big buzz in South East Asia as Japan prepares to reopen, and Hong Kong and Taiwan ease entry restrictions.

Hannah is back from Japan, where she observed the response to its decision to unlock the airport gates from 11 October while attending Tourism Expo Japan in Tokyo.

This week, Gary and Hannah discuss the potential inbound and outbound boost for South East Asia as North East Asia gradually returns to the travel fold. We’ve also got the latest travel news from South Korea, China and Macau.

We finish the show amid the tranquil Himalayan beauty of Bhutan, and discuss the broader implications of its new USD200 per night Sustainable Development Fee.

Will destinations in South East Asia introduce similar tourism pricing policies in future?

View All Episodes

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Play
26 Jan 2026 • 15m57s

Ep 282: Nipah Virus Alert, a New Tourism Tax in Indonesia & a Blackpink AI Controversy in Thailand: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show

Welcome to the third edition of our Start The Week show; a fast-paced ride through the hottest 5 travel topics in South East Asia and beyond. This week, Gary and Hannah take a sharp intake of breath as Thailand raises an alert for the deadly Nipah Virus. We also discuss 13 intriguing new city pairs for Changi Airport (with China a key focus), and a new tourism tax in Raja Ampat.
Play
19 Jan 2026 • 16m24s

Ep 281: Trip.com's Antitrust Troubles, Cambodia & Philippines Go Visa-Free for Chinese Tourists & Singapore's Big BTS Win: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show

Welcome to the second edition of our new Start The Week show - a fast-paced summary of the hottest 5 travel topics in South East Asia and beyond. This week’s show has a strong Chinese influence – a theme we expect to intensify through 2026. Gary and Hannah summarise the outlook for Trip.com’s South East Asia expansion as it faces an antitrust investigation in China. In a week of tragic accidents in Thailand and Indonesia, high-speed rail construction and air passenger safety are in the spotlight.