Reasons Behind the Resurgence of Southeast Asian Tourism
Before the pandemic, the Southeast Asian region was one of the hottest destinations in the world. Its unique cultures and sceneries made more people enticed to visit the countries. Despite being in the same region, each country has something different to offer. From the flavorful cuisines of Thailand to the skyscrapers of Singapore, there’s a reason to check out every country. Unfortunately, everything halted during the pandemic.
The region has among the strictest travel regulations at the height of the health crisis. It also lasted longer than most countries. Hence, many people felt turned off and decided against postponing their trips.
After the reopening of the region to international tourism, it didn’t take time before tourism skyrocketed again. Here’s why.
The demand from China is still there
Chinese tourists were the bloodline of tourism in the area before the pandemic. Back then, there were buses filled with Chinese tourists visiting different destinations in Thailand and Malaysia. They have an itinerary that goes to tourist destinations and local restaurants. With agencies not arranging the trips during the pandemic, the industry suffered. The good thing is they’re back. The demand never really left. When people were allowed to travel again, they immediately signed up for a trip in the region.
The tourism industry remained steadfast
Sure, many businesses related to tourism closed during the pandemic. They were unable to sustain the operations due to the lack of clients. However, some companies decided to continue being in the business. They didn’t stop because of the health crisis. Now that tourists are back, they’re ready to serve. Everything continues like nothing even happened. It’s even better for some places since there was a chance to improve the destinations.
Beaches are even better
Most Southeast Asian nations are blessed to have beaches. It’s one of the reasons why people decide to visit these countries. The good thing is these destinations look more amazing these days. The lack of tourists over the past years has allowed the area to heal. There was also a chance to clean up. Operators also reassessed the management of these places. Therefore, new rules are implemented to facilitate the arrival of tourists and ensure that everything stays clean.
Backpacking remains a popular activity
Southeast Asian countries are mostly connected by land. It’s easier for people to go on a backpacking trip. It’s a unique adventure that doesn’t require people to fly from one destination to another. Trains and buses connect various cities. There are also activities available in different stops. The best part is there are boutique hotels that can accommodate backpackers at a low cost. It’s a unique and affordable travel experience that only Southeast Asia can offer. Hence, travelers are excited to give it a shot.
For these reasons, there’s no doubt that tourism is alive again. Flight reservations to these destinations are even higher than before the pandemic hit the region. Despite being among the hardest hit places due to the health crisis, tourism remains a viable industry.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from https://unsplash.com/photos/wsmCCh1F1uM
2nd image from https://www.adb.org/news/op-ed/domestic-tourism-southeast-asia-opportunities-and-pathways-matthias-helble-and-jaeyeon
