Ep 89: 2021: The Year So Far in Malaysia, with Faeez Fadhlillah

About This Episode

18 Aug 2021 • 35m00s

Malaysia continues to struggle with containing COVID-19, and despite an accelerated vaccine programme is not currently permitting international or interstate travel. Compounding the problem is a worsening economic and political crisis, which resulted this week in the resignation of the government.

So in Part 6 of our 2021: The Year So Far In… series, Gary and Hannah bring it home to Malaysia to chat with Faeez Fadhlillah, CEO of TripFez, Honorary Treasurer of the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents and a PATA Board Member. Regularly involved in travel policy discussions with the government, Faaez is perfectly placed to discuss the current situation for travel businesses in Malaysia, and the outlook for the rest of the year and into 2022.

During the interview, we analyse the ‘travel bubble’ landscape, a heavily touted reopening on the island of Langkawi, and other potential tourism restart options.

Plus, we discuss why South East Asia needs ASEAN to develop a unified vaccine recognition strategy. And, as a travel entrepreneur, what are Faeez’s plans for reinvigorating Tripfez in the near future?

View All Episodes

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Play
5 Sep 2023 • 35m25s

Ep 187: Behind the Scenes of Australia’s Tourism Transformation Plan, with Samantha Palmer, AusTrade

Australia counts one of Asia Pacific’s most fascinating visitor economies. It combines vibrant inbound, outbound and domestic leisure and business travel segments with large international education, VFR and working holiday components. One in 7 businesses in Australia is related to tourism. So, how is Australia recovering from Covid-19, and how is it planning ahead for the rest of the decade, and beyond? This week, Gary and Hannah welcome Samantha Palmer, General Manager of Visitor Economy and Client Programs, at the Australian Trade & Investment Commission (AusTrade), to discuss the Thrive 2030 tourism strategy.
Play
28 Aug 2023 • 32m12s

Ep 186: The Top 8 Travel & Tourism Talking Points in South East Asia in August 2023

From 4.4 million to 15.4 million. Thailand is way out in front in South East Asia for year-to-date visitors in 2023 vs 2022. Two-thirds through 2023, Gary and Hannah look back to compare the progress for visitor arrivals in 7 ASEAN nations. We also discuss 8 other key talking points from August, as the summer holiday season subsides and the region prepares for the Chinese Golden Week in October. En route, we discuss new developments in ASEAN’s cross-border payments programme, and assess the outlook in Thailand as a new Prime Minister vows to prioritise tourism.