Ep 52: Reconnecting the US & Asia Through Travel, with Sandra Thomas-Comenole

Listen to this episode

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Pocketcasts

Google

Podbean

View All Episodes

About This Episode

22 Jan 2021 • 31m00s

This week, Gary and Hannah chat with Denver-based travel marketer, behavioural economist and podcaster Sandra Thomas-Comenole.

During a varied career, Sandra has worked with several international travel brands, including InsideJapan Tours, Croatian Tourism and the US National Parks Service. In a fascinating interview, she discusses how behavioural economics can help guide travel marketers through an uncertain 2021, the pitfalls of traveller sentiment surveys and the impending leadership challenges should tourism rebound at a rapid rate.

We also discuss the current state of destination marketing in the US, and some of the opportunities for engaging more closely with Asian markets and travellers to accelerate the economic recovery.

After being overlooked as a priority economic sector by several US administrations, does the Biden-Harris ticket offer new hope for travel and tourism funding, strategy development and implementation for tourism in the US?

« Next Episode Ep 53: Planning a Tourism Turnaround in Malaysia Previous Episode » Ep 51: What is ASEAN & Why is it Important for Travel & Tourism?

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.

Ep 52: Reconnecting the US & Asia Through Travel, with Sandra Thomas-Comenole

About This Episode

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Ep 297: How Have 6 Weeks of War Changed ASEAN's Travel Economies?: Start the Weekend with The South East Asia Travel Show

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

Hannah Pearson

Gary Bowerman