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

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About This Episode

19 Jan 2026 • 16m24s

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. Plus, why has the Philippines finally decided to introduce visa-free entry for Chinese tourists? Is AirAsia’s protracted restructure nearing completion - and what does it mean for air travel in the region?

And, with the announcement of the BTS World Tour dates, why is Singapore “rubbing its hands with glee”? All this and more in 15 minutes…

« Next Episode 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 Previous Episode » Ep 280: 25 for 2025: The South East Asia Travel Show's Year in Review

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5 Aug 2026 • 27m31s

Ep 314: As Intra-ASEAN Tourism Competition Intensifies, What Are South East Asia's Major New Battlegrounds?

2026 has been a mixed year for tourism across South East Asia, and all countries are preparing their future strategies. With arrivals growth slowing and competition to attract tourists intensifying, Wellness and Business Events are emerging as key battlegrounds. This week, Gary and Hannah analyse how some of the region’s key players, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia, are setting out their strategic stalls - or are they simply chasing the same tourists with different labels and campaigns?

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30 Jul 2026 • 26m09s

Ep 313: Trip.com's Record Anti-Trust Fine, Singapore Airlines' Topsy-Turvy Financials & AI vs Tour Guides

“What a turbulent seven months 2026 has delivered so far.” Gary and Hannah examine recent travel and tourism developments across Southeast Asia, China, and India. Topics include China’s multi-billion RMB fine against Trip.com for alleged monopolistic practices, Malaysia’s unexpected F1 Grand Prix tourism impact, Singapore Airlines’ record revenue offset by substantial fuel cost increases, Cambodia Airlines’ aircraft order, Thai AirAsia’s domestic route suspensions, Singapore’s concert tourism season, AI’s effects on tour guiding, and a humorous story about a Philippines jail stay request.

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

About This Episode

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Ep 314: As Intra-ASEAN Tourism Competition Intensifies, What Are South East Asia's Major New Battlegrounds?

Ep 313: Trip.com's Record Anti-Trust Fine, Singapore Airlines' Topsy-Turvy Financials & AI vs Tour Guides

Hannah Pearson

Gary Bowerman