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

Listen to this episode
Listen on Apple Podcasts Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify Spotify
Listen on Podbean Podbean
View All Episodes

About This Episode

30 Mar 2026 • 15m57s

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? Plus, cruise terminal development is a hot topic in Malaysia’s Sarawak state on the island of Borneo, and Thailand wants to construct cruise terminals on the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman coast. Plus, we head to Singapore’s beautifully fragrant Flower Dome, where robot smart dogs will provide new accessible tourism services.

« Next Episode Ep 295: ASEAN's Energy Crisis, Godzilla Heat, Changi in Vietnam & Eurovision Asia: March 2026 in Review Previous Episode » Ep 293: A New Survey Report on the Impacts of War in the Middle East on Travel Businesses in South East Asia
View All Episodes

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Play
10 Apr 2026 • 14m33s

Ep 297: How Have 6 Weeks of War Changed ASEAN's Travel Economies?: Start the Weekend with The South East Asia Travel Show
“Could South East Asia’s travel landscape look different in 12-18 months time?” The episode explores how Middle East conflict affects the region’s travel sector. Key topics include: The region’s dependence on imported oil, LNG, jet fuel, petrochemicals, and fertilizers Rising fuel costs and electricity supply challenges Government energy-conservation measures and work-from-home policies Food price inflation impacts Jet fuel scarcity effects on travel and tourism operations Hosts Gary and Hannah examine broader war-related economic consequences across Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific, comparing these disruptions to the COVID-19 pandemic’s travel impacts and discussing potential long-term shifts in the industry.
Play
6 Apr 2026 • 17m51s

Ep 296: LCC Strategy Shifts, Türkiye & Taiwan in the Spotlight & Vietnam Targets 50 Million Visitors: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show
The episode examines how fuel costs have escalated dramatically for airlines, now consuming “50-55% of its operating costs. That previously was 30-35%.” As Middle East tensions escalate, Southeast Asian low-cost carriers face intensifying financial pressures. Hosts Gary and Hannah explore developments across Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Türkiye, Bahrain, and Taiwan, discussing Batik Air’s 35% flight reduction and network cutbacks by competing carriers. They also examine Tony Fernandes’ hints regarding a potential partnership with a major Turkish airline and SunPhuQuoc Airways’ decision to launch international operations from Taipei.

🎙️ About The Creators 🎧

Hannah Pearson

Hannah Pearson

Asia travel analyst and speaker. Director of Pear Anderson, a research & sales travel consultancy specialising in SEA and Muslim travel. Read more »

Gary Bowerman

Gary Bowerman

Asia travel analyst and speaker. Co-founder and director of Check-in Asia, a travel content, marketing and market research agency. Read more »

We'd love to hear from our listeners, so please send us your comments, feedback and questions! And, if you’re interested in being a guest, drop us a note at hello@theseasiatravelshow.com

💻 Linkedin Twitter Instagram Facebook
📻 Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Listen on Pocketcasts Listen on Podbean RSS
Copyright © 2020 The South East Asia Travel Show | Privacy Policy