Ep 186: The Top 8 Travel & Tourism Talking Points in South East Asia in August 2023

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28 Aug 2023 • 32m12s

From 4.4 million to 15.4 million. Thailand is way out in front in South East Asia for year-to-date visitors in 2023 vs 2022. Two-thirds through 2023, Gary and Hannah look back to compare the progress for visitor arrivals in 7 ASEAN nations.

We also discuss 8 other key talking points from August, as the summer holiday season subsides and the region prepares for the Chinese Golden Week in October. En route, we discuss new developments in ASEAN’s cross-border payments programme, and assess the outlook in Thailand as a new Prime Minister vows to prioritise tourism.

We question why visa challenges still endure in some countries long after the region reopened for travel. Plus, will Japan’s new LCC create more travel to or from Thailand when it launches its first route to Bangkok in early 2024? Finally, we ask how Bhutan’s halving of its Sustainable Development Fee for visitors could impact tourism pricing in South East Asia.

Is there a breakpoint whereby tourists say “No, we are not prepared to pay that” for sustainable travel experiences?

« Next Episode Ep 187: Behind the Scenes of Australia’s Tourism Transformation Plan, with Samantha Palmer, AusTrade Previous Episode » Ep 185: Celebrating South East Asian Cuisines & Food Cultures with the Kita Food Festival

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Ep 186: The Top 8 Travel & Tourism Talking Points in South East Asia in August 2023

About This Episode

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Ep 257: Chinese Backpackers, Mountains Clad with Solar Panels, a Giant Lenin Statue & Delightful Almaty: An Epic Overland Journey from Bali to Britain, with Stuart McDonald

Ep 256: A 'Resort Airline', An OTA Law Suit, Time for Timor Leste & Blackpink Back in the Area: May 2025 in Review

Hannah Pearson

Gary Bowerman