Issue #153 - South East Asia's 2024 Tourism Year So Far - in 8 Questions!
Chinese tourists return, Japan's 'Bucket List' status and the spectre of Mpox.
Welcome to Issue 153 of Asia Travel Re:Set.
Yes, technically still “on a break” - but there’s plenty going on in the region.
We are almost two-thirds through 2024. This year, more than ever, South East Asia's tourism recovery is being viewed through a stat-focused lens.
But analysing every aspect of tourism with data obfuscates the dynamic political, economic, societal, technological and environmental factors behind those numbers.
So let’s follow that train of thought…
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Firstly, this…
"These measures are designed to attract more visitors who will stay longer, travel more widely and spend more in different locations... It's about diversifying the nation's appeal and making Thailand more accessible to longer stay, high-yield visitors, while maintaining an appeal for the broader mass market."
How does the Destination Thailand Visa form part of Thailand's inbound strategy?
Thanks to Tommy Walker for including my comments in this article for Deutsche Welle, Click HERE to read: Thailand visa scheme opens door to digital nomads.
South East Asia's 2024 Tourism Year So Far - in 8 Questions!
8 data-free questions about the direction of regional travel in 2024, and beyond.
Everything must be measurable to have meaning. This increasingly applies to most industries, but especially tourism in South East Asia - which is still playing catch-up after the pandemic.
As we move into the final third of 2024, the countdown is under way. Which nations, airports and airlines will finally match those hallowed 2019 benchmarks?
On this week’s The South East Asia Travel Show, Hannah Pearson and I set statistics aside and asked and answered 8 key questions defining regional travel so far in 2024.
Below, I’ve listed the questions, and brief pointers towards the answers. The full reveal - yep, you guessed it - comes by listening to the podcast itself.
1) What are the most important things we’ve learned about regional tourism so far in 2024?
Spoiler: The return of Chinese tourists (and airlines) at scale. Vietnam’s contrasting inbound vs domestic recovery. Ongoing LCC rebuild. Looming presence of COMAC.
2) With a changing of the political guard in Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, do we expect to see any pivotal changes in tourism policy?
Spoiler: Singapore: No (think Vision 2040). Thailand: Beyond the current governmental instability, how will investors, the military and the public respond over the coming months? Indonesia: It’s complex - the new President assumes office in October.
3) How influential have been visa-waivers and visa-on-arrival for the tourism recovery? Are these policies (many are currently time-limited) likely to endure?
Spoiler: Very, especially for group travel economics and airline route planning. Yes, unforeseen circumstances notwithstanding.
4) Anti-tourism tensions have been high this summer in some European destinations. Are we seeing anything similar play out in SEA?
Spoiler: To a point, although the impacts of “over-tourism” are more pronounced in terms of natural resources, landscape damage and rural communities than urban strife. For now.
5) Why has 2024 seen such a strong focus on national/cross-border high-speed rail connectivity?
Spoiler: A specific point in time regarding the region’s overall economic development. Shifting governmental strategies for infrastructure investment and build-out. China.
6) How has the balance of domestic vs international tourism shifted in 2024?
Spoiler: The return of international tourism pushed up airfares and room rates, and governments cut (vital) preferential policies for local travellers. Competitive focus is on higher yield inbound visitors. Value-seeking “hybrid domestic tourism” is thriving.
7) Is the great migration of tourists to Japan from South East Asia likely to slow with a volatile Yen? Are currency values as important as the media portrays?
Spoiler: Japan remains a hot ‘Bucket List’ destination. Its ability to lure repeat visitors is worth watching in 2025. A weak Yen has had some influence, especially for group tourists in a period of general weakness in ASEAN currencies (Singapore excepted).
8) What will be the key issues to watch for in Q4 of 2024 – and into 2025? Will they all be data-related?
Spoiler: The end-of-year statistical count-up will be more psychologically important in 2024 than any previous post-pandemic year. Government efforts to lower domestic air fares in Indonesia and Vietnam. How might a stronger RMB influence Chinese outbound travel? Malaysia’s sustainable air travel roadmap. What happens when Mpox cases are recorded in ASEAN nations among people who have travelled?
Listen to 'The 2024 South East Asia Tourism Year (So Far) in Review - Data Free' here:
Or search for The South East Asia Travel Show on any podcast ap
And, that’s a wrap for issue 153.
The (real) Asia Travel Re:Set newsletter will be back with a new format in September.
Until then, find me at LinkedIn, The South East Asia Travel Show and High-Yield Tourism.
Happy late-summer travels,
Gary