Issue #174: This Week's Hot Tourism Topics in Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia & Taiwan
From smart booking to a controversial new airport and high-yield tourism trends.
Welcome to Issue 174 of Asia Travel Re:Set.
It’s been a manic week of media activity, and I’ve not had much time to write.
Nevertheless, the tourism themes we’ve been discussing - related to Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia & Taiwan - are broadly applicable across Asia Pacific.
So, let’s follow that train of thought.
Thanks for checking in…
Is Vietnam On Track for a Record Tourism Year in 2025?
Let’s begin in Vietnam, one of South East Asia’s most complex and compelling visitor economies. It has started 2025 at a frenetic pace, welcoming more than 2 million visitors in January for the first time.
Tourism officials have set a goal of 23 million arrivals in 2025 - which would smash the previous record of 18 million in 2019.
Aligned with a vibrant domestic travel economy - Vietnam is one of the few countries with a population of over 100 million - the opportunities and challenges will multiply.
To assess the outlook for 2025 and beyond, The South East Asia Travel Show welcomed back Mike Tatarski, Founder of Vietnam Weekly. En route, we discuss:
Vietnam’s key inbound markets, such as China, Russia and ASEAN.
Emerging markets like India and Central Asian nations.
The latest on construction of the nation's largest airport, Long Thanh International, and the ambitious North-South High-Speed Railway.
Plus, the impact of high domestic flight prices, waste management issues on Vietnamese islands, and over-development in coastal hotspots.
Click the live link below to listen to Is Vietnam on Track for a Record Tourism Year in 2025, with Mike Tatarski, Vietnam Weekly…
Or search for The South East Asia Travel Show on any podcast app.
“We will make Bali the new Singapore or Hong Kong, with this development at the centre.”
Those words, delivered by newly inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at a business event last November, were laced with hyperbole...
Yet, they expressed a statement of intent about how the new administration views Indonesia’s tourism future. President Prabowo’s comments were used to support his “commitment to build a North Bali International Airport."
So, what happens next?
“Whenever assessing Indonesia’s economic development policies, keep in mind two vital drivers. Firstly, the overarching national goal to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2045. This is important for investors to consider, as Indonesia intends to attract more funding across high-potential growth sectors, like tourism, infrastructure, AI, high-tech manufacturing and clean energy.
Meanwhile, in the short term, President Prabowo – who was sworn in last October – will advocate policies aimed at securing a second term in 2029.”
Click HERE to read A New Tourism Blueprint for Bali?, my new article for the Asia Media Centre.
The Future of Smart Travel in Taiwan, Asia & Beyond
A first time on Taiwanese TV for me. I enjoyed joining the Connected show on TaiwanPlus with Ting-Kuan Chen, CEO of Taipei-based FunNow Group, to discuss the regional outlook for travel and tourism in 2025.
As travellers return at scale to the skies over Asia Pacific, the ways they research, book and experience their destinations are being revolutionised.
From booking platforms using AI to the rise of new travel apps, what can tech-savvy tourists expect this year?
How is the tourism industry adapting?
And what is high-yield tourism, and how does it benefit destinations, stakeholders, communities and travellers?
Featuring:
0.40 - Has Global Tourism Fully Recovered? How About Asia?
2.40 - Changing Regional Travel Habits
5.10 - Influence of Family & Social Media on Travel Choices
7.40 - Hot Asia Travel Trends to Watch in 2025
10.30 - High-Yield Tourism Supports Balanced Growth
12.45 - Self-Drive Travel: Tourists Take Control of their Itineraries
15.00 - Dynamic Pricing & Demand Management
17.40 - AI, Technology & The ‘Me, Me, Me’ Economy
21.30 - Culinary Tourism & Back-storytelling
24.30 - Sustainability & the Future of Tourism
NB: The show was produced by my long-time friend Tony Lin. We worked together 20 years ago in China, when I was Editor of Shanghai Business Review, and Tony was my excellent Deputy. Tony once scored us an interview with Hangzhou-based Jack Ma long before he (and Alibaba) achieved global fame.
Click below to watch….
Or hit this link to The Future of Smart Travel: Global Travel Trends and Tourism in 2025 | Taiwan, Asia & the World
How Can Malaysia’s Travel Trade Respond to AI Agents & Digital Scams?
What is Interactive Virtual Tourism in Malaysia? And, could a hybrid of travel agent and virtual communication and marketing drive bookings for Visit Malaysia 2026, when the country is targeting 35 million+ visitors?
The short answer to the second part of the question is probably No.
Yet, IVT raises interesting questions about how the travel trade responds to emerging tech challenges.
AI agents, the scary ubiquity of mobile scams across ASEAN and inflexible online booking terms offered by OTAs, airlines and hotels are impacting the confidence of Malaysian and South East Asian travellers.
Does this open a window of opportunity for travel advisors, digitally and/or in person?
Like many South East Asian markets, Malaysia's economy is digitising at a rapid pace, and is increasingly mobile-centric and cashless.
But, there remain numerous pain points and insecurities for travellers booking independently online. IVT is an attempt to reinforce the value of a travel agent's personal touch in a virtual world.
Can it work?
Really enjoyed joining Richard Bradbury on Malaysia's BFM 89.9 - The Business Station to discuss the emerging challenges of mobile booking, and the role of travel agencies in a travel sector determined to follow AI pathways
Click HERE to listen to How IVT Could Change Tourism
And, that’s a wrap for this week’s newsletter.
Asia Travel Re:Set will return next Sunday. Meantime, catch me on LinkedIn.
Happy travels,
Gary