Ep 225: The 2024 South East Asia Tourism Year (So Far) in Review - Data Free!

We are almost two-thirds through 2024. This year, more than ever, South East Asia’s travel and tourism recovery and regrowth is being assessed through the lens of data and statistics. But quantifying every aspect of tourism obfuscates the dynamic political, economic, societal, technological and environmental factors behind those numbers.

So, this week Gary and Hannah ask and answer 8 critical questions about the direction of regional travel in 2024, and beyond – without referencing data. Can we go an entire show without stating Thailand’s latest monthly arrivals or air passenger data at Changi? En route, we discuss political leadership changes in Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore, the ongoing LCC rebuild, the return of Chinese travellers at scale and disruption in the aircraft manufacturing sector.

Plus, what’s next for Asian currency values and the impact on travel, casino legalisation in Thailand, visa waivers, and m-pox planning across the region? And why have high-speed railway proposals become a governmental “must have” across ASEAN in 2024?