The South East Asia Travel Show

"Phnom Penh has come back strongly as the main air gateway to Cambodia." Cambodia has been at the forefront in South East Asia for removing Covid-19 restrictions for visitors. Its three international airports handled 11.6 million passengers in 2019, and Cambodia is eager to revive its airline sector to support a tourism recovery. This week, Gary and Hannah welcome Stephen King, Chief Commercial Officer at Cambodia Airports, to discuss the progress in the first half of 2022 and the outlook for the rest of the year. Stephen discusses passenger traffic at the three gateways, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, new infrastructure developments, the impact of China's absence from regional travel and efforts to attract more airlines and routes to Cambodia. We also discuss the key inbound markets, Cambodia's changing approach to destination marketing, and the sustainability initiatives Cambodia Airports intends to implement.

“The slew of [Chinese government] policy changes has prompted an increase in flights, with airline companies racing against each other to resume international flights with China.” Breaking developments in China mean the second half of 2022 in South East Asia will be dominated by the quest to entice back Chinese tourists. But how did we get here? This week, Gary and Hannah discuss the 12 key travel and tourism developments that define 2022 to date - and set the scene for a stronger recovery in the second half of the year. Our journey takes us to Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Bali by way of China, India, Japan and South Korea. We also discuss the return of cruise travel in the region, the jet fuel and human resource challenges, overland travel growth and a busy 6 months for domestic tourism. Plus, what challenges and opportunities await for the remainder of the year?

"Time has really flown in the year since we started the Phuket Sandbox." Exactly one year ago, on 1 July 2021, Thailand initiated the Phuket Sandbox to kickstart inbound travel after 16 months of tourism inactivity. Four months later, it was replaced by the Test & Go Scheme. Phuket is now buzzing. A mix of domestic and inbound tourists saw it welcome 1.7 million visitors in the first 5 months of 2022. This week, Gary and Hannah discuss Phuket's impressive progress with Sumi Soorian, Executive Director of the Phuket Hotels Association. Sumi discusses how the hospitality and tourism sectors have adapted over the past 12 months. We also discuss shifts in Phuket's key inbound markets and interesting trends in meetings, weddings and domestic travel. Plus, we look at human resource challenges for hotels, shorter booking windows and room rates and occupancy. Now, as Thailand removes virtually all of its pandemic restrictions, what is the outlook for Phuket 12 months after it pioneered the revival of tourism in South East Asia?

"Since the end of March, the landscape of travelling to Bali has changed dramatically. It's much easier to travel here now." This week, Gary and Hannah check on the current state of tourism in Bali with Simona Chimenti, General Manager of The Pavilions Bali and Marketing & Media Relations Director of the Bali Hotels Association, and Melina Caruso, Technology & Marketing Consultant for the Bali Hotels Association. After a slow start, Bali is welcoming back visitors from around the world, but is anxious to attract more flights to boost arrivals. The Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy is targeting 1.5 million international arrivals in 2022, while domestic visitors are arriving in big numbers. Melina and Simona discuss the latest travel updates, including key visitor markets, hotel occupancy and room rates. Plus, we touch on emerging trends in hotel stays, human resource deficits and automation and digitisation of hotel services. And, we look ahead to the G20 Summit in November, and Bali's recovery outlook for the next 18 months. 

The Greater Mekong Region – comprising Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and China - is seeking new ways to develop and promote tourism after the ravages of Covid-19. This week, Gary and Hannah welcome Phnom Penh-based Catherine Germier-Hamel, CEO of Destination Mekong, and a passionate advocate of sustainable tourism development. Born in France of Eurasian heritage, she spent several years working in South Korea, including 6 years as Director of Global Programs for the UNWTO's Sustainable Tourism Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) Foundation. Cathy recently relocated to Cambodia to head-up Destination Mekong, a regional destination marketing organisation that provides a bridge between private sector travel operators and the Ministries of Tourism of Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Cathy discusses the challenges and opportunities ahead for travel and tourism in the Greater Mekong Region, and "new, smart models fit for the 21st century" in areas such as community tourism and wellbeing travel.

We're almost halfway through 2022. Several important developments in travel and tourism have occurred across South East Asia. International travel is back, which was our primary hope. But are we any closer to seeing some of our other travel wishes come true? This week, Gary and Hannah re-visit 12 of the 22 positive changes for 2022, which we set out back in January. Which wishes have come true, which are still pending - and which were well-meant wishful thinking? En route, we reassess tourism target setting and domestic travel policies, the restart of outbound travel and vaccine equality, backpacker tourism and the employment outlook for fresh hospitality graduates. Plus, will tourism players ever be compelled to publish zero emissions targets? 
 
 

As we enter the 6th month of 2022, South East Asia’s travel industry is showing signs of revival, with the aviation sector at the heart. But, rebuilding airline supply and passenger demand after the pandemic is accompanied by various operational challenges. South East Asia is playing catch-up due to the long pandemic travel restrictions, so what is the current state of play for airlines, airports and aviation? This week, Gary and Hannah welcome aviation analyst Shukor Yusof, Founder and CEO of Malaysia & Singapore-based Endau Analytics. Shukor discusses a broad range of issues, from jet fuel costs to FOREX risks, ticket pricing to start-up carriers and airport resourcing to consumer sentiment. We also assess the future role of China and India in South East Asia's air market, and the key lessons for LCCs and flag carriers from the past two-and-a-half years.

Traveller Covid testing requirements are finally gone - so can South East Asia now build momentum for a sustainable tourism recovery? May was a positive month across the region, but the landscape is still evolving. Travel volumes and outlook optimism vary throughout South East Asia. Familiar destinations are leading the return of tourism, while bookings are slower elsewhere. This week, Gary and Hannah recap the key developments during May, and look forward to the second half of 2022. What opportunities and challenges lie up ahead, and how will a phased reopening in Japan and eased travel restrictions in South Korea influence the recovery? Plus, the latest on China's ongoing travel lockout.