Ep 51: What is ASEAN & Why is it Important for Travel & Tourism?

Listen to this episode

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Podbean

View All Episodes

About This Episode

15 Jan 2021 • 31m00s

It’s all about ASEAN!

This week, Hannah and Gary take a journey through the history of ASEAN, the Association of South East Asian Nations. Established in 1967, ASEAN brings together the 10 countries of the hugely diverse region of South East Asia. Since founding the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, ASEAN has positioned itself as a “Third Force” in Asia Pacific, after China & India.

Will it expand further (Timor Leste, Australia?), and why is ASEAN integral to the newly signed RCEP trade agreement in Asia Pacific?

Most importantly, how will ASEAN influence the future of the aviation, cruise, travel and tourism sectors in a post-pandemic world?

Will there be an ASEAN Air Travel Bubble, and can South East Asia really be promoted as a single tourism destination?

« Next Episode Ep 52: Reconnecting the US & Asia Through Travel, with Sandra Thomas-Comenole Previous Episode » Ep 50: What is the Realistic Outlook for Travel in South East Asia in 2021?

View All Episodes

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Play

9 Aug 2025 • 21m55s

Ep 264: Vietnam's Golden Year Continues, THAI Back on the Bourse, India & Philippines Agree 'Free-Visas' & Happy 60th Birthday Singapore: This Week in Review

Vietnam’s inbound tourism boom in 2025 continues. Malaysia targets tourism to reach 16% of GDP. India and the Philippines talk “free visas”. THAI Airways confirms its post-Covid comeback by returning to the stock market. Boracay “streamlines” its various entry fees” And Singapore celebrate its 60th birthday since independence. It’s been a pretty hectic news week across South East Asia. Join Gary and Hannah as they travel through ASEAN to discuss the top travel and tourism talking points of the past seven days.

Play

2 Aug 2025 • 37m31s

Ep 263: War, Tariffs, GDP Revisions & Slowing Visitor Arrivals: July 2025 in Review

July was a challenging month for travel and tourism in South East Asia. A military conflict between Thailand and Cambodia shook the region. New ‘reciprocal’ US tariff rates will challenge bottom lines and business travel budgets for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, mixed results continue for visitor arrivals, consumer spending and travel sentiment. This month’s Top 10 Travel Talking Points round-up takes Gary and Hannah from Malaysia to Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines and, inevitably given the global geo-economic situation, Washington DC.

Ep 51: What is ASEAN & Why is it Important for Travel & Tourism?

About This Episode

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Ep 264: Vietnam's Golden Year Continues, THAI Back on the Bourse, India & Philippines Agree 'Free-Visas' & Happy 60th Birthday Singapore: This Week in Review

Ep 263: War, Tariffs, GDP Revisions & Slowing Visitor Arrivals: July 2025 in Review

Hannah Pearson

Gary Bowerman