Ep 249: Destinations on Screen: The Top 8 TV + Movie Tourism Talking Points in South East Asia & Asia Pacific

About This Episode

17 Apr 2025 β€’ 45m08s

What connects CNN, Coldplay, Bollywood, The White Lotus, Bluey, Minecraft and K-dramas? All are linked to the burgeoning trend of representing tourism destinations in TV series, movies, videos, documentaries and computer games.

This week, Gary and Hannah assess the top 8 TV and Movie Tourism talking points in ASEAN, Asia Pacific and beyond. The global journey takes us from Jakarta, Koh Samui and Singapore to Seoul, Jeju Island and Okinawa - and beyond to the UK, New Zealand and Australia. En route, we discuss the influence of micro-dramas, Ne Zha 2 and Black Myth: Wuking on domestic tourism in China. We look at the darker side of tourism on screen, including No More Bets, The Beach, Iseltwald and the filming issues around The Expats in Hong Kong.

Plus we tap into the changing role of tourism boards and travel suppliers in destination placement, assess the surging growth of on-location cookery shows, and explore how Netflix is financing local TV productions to promote culture, heritage and tourism in Indonesia and South Korea for domestic and regional audiences.

View All Episodes

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Play
1 Apr 2026 β€’ 27m31s

Ep 295: ASEAN's Energy Crisis, Godzilla Heat, Changi in Vietnam & Eurovision Asia: March 2026 in Review

March 2026 will not be remembered fondly across Asia, as a worsening energy crisis impacts all sectors of regional economies, including travel. Gary and Hannah review the most eventful month for South East Asia since Covid - and provide up-to-date analysis of the current situation, and what to expect next. We look at the increasing airline fuel surcharge rates being applied, including an eye-watering 157% fare increase announced today. In response, Thailand has slashed its annual visitor arrivals target and AirAsia is reviewing the inauguration of its Bahrain transcontinental hub in June.
Play
30 Mar 2026 β€’ 15m57s

Ep 294: Sustainable Aviation & Tourist Entry Taxes in Singapore & Thailand, New Cruise Ports & Robot Dog Tour Guides

As we enter a decisive week for Middle East warfare and diplomacy, South East Asia is watching with deepening collective and national economic concerns. Gary and Hannah start the week in Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia in search of answers to South East Asia’s big travel questions. What are the implications of the upcoming ASEAN Leaders’ Summit being cut to ‘the bare bones’? As Singapore delays implementation of its Sustainable Aviation Fuel Levy, is now the right time for Thailand to revive its THB300 Tourism Tax?