Ep 88: 2021: The Year So Far in the Philippines, with Feliz Axalan

Listen to this episode

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Google

Podbean

View All Episodes

About This Episode

11 Aug 2021 • 37m00s

The Philippines is South East Asia’s second largest nation with a population of more than 110 million. While it has struggled to contain COVID-19 from the outset, travel sentiment remains strong. This week, in Part 4 our “2021: The Year So Far” series, Gary and Hannah chat with Manila-based Feliz Axalan, General Manager at Tradewings Tours & Travel.

Feliz joins us from Switzerland, having spent 3 months travelling in Europe, including Spain, Greece and Switzerland. She compares the travel summer in Europe with the current situations in the Philippines and elsewhere in South East Asia.

We also discuss a complex year for domestic travel restrictions, the current vaccination situation in the Philippines and the prospects for reopening to inbound travel. At the same time, Filipinos are eager to board outbound flights once quarantine restrictions are eased.

Feliz discusses the destinations that are hot tickets for customers intending to book ahead, and the new tech systems that travel sector players are putting in place to meet an expected surge in demand.

« Next Episode Ep 89: 2021: The Year So Far in Malaysia, with Faeez Fadhlillah Previous Episode » Ep 87: 2021: The Year So Far in Laos, with Jason Rolan

View All Episodes

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Play

7 Mar 2026 • 16m26s

Ep 289: War in Iran & Lebanon Raises New Questions for South East Asian Travel Economies: Pre-Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show

“We don’t know when this war is going to end, but already we are seeing a great degree of uncertainty return to travel and tourism in South East Asia.” One week after the US and Israel began attacking Iran and Lebanon, what are the short-term outcomes for travel in the region - and what are the risks waiting up ahead? This week, Gary is in Seoul and he asks some of the structural questions the travel industry will be thinking about as a major economic shock looms.

Play

2 Mar 2026 • 28m31s

Ep 288: ASEAN's Air Travel Outlook: Where are the Hotspots & Slow-Motion Markets?: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show

“Vietnam’s international air market is the biggest story in South East Asia.” ASEAN’s breakout travel and tourism star leads the bullish projections about air travel, but structural issues in South East Asia’s biggest market, Indonesia, drag down the overall 2026 outlook. Longer-term, sustained growth is predicted, but where are the hotspots to watch, and which are the slow-motion markets? This week, Gary is joined by Singapore-based aviation consultant Brendan Sobie to dissect the travel outlook from the skies above ASEAN.

Ep 88: 2021: The Year So Far in the Philippines, with Feliz Axalan

About This Episode

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Ep 289: War in Iran & Lebanon Raises New Questions for South East Asian Travel Economies: Pre-Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show

Ep 288: ASEAN's Air Travel Outlook: Where are the Hotspots & Slow-Motion Markets?: Start the Week with The South East Asia Travel Show

Hannah Pearson

Gary Bowerman