We didn't think we'd be still here, in lockdown and unable to travel or plan events, 18 months since Covid first hit. Governments across the region have had different ideas about how to tackle the pandemic. Critics could say some governments appear not to have had an idea at all. Do we laugh or cry, as those in the industry are left to fend for themselves, often with little or at best, ineffective support systems?
Hannah Pearson is the director of Southeast Asian travel consultancy Pear Anderson, based in Kuala Lumpur. She helps travel organisations target the Southeast Asian & Muslim market and produces a weekly report on COVID-19's impact on the region's tourism industry. Widely referenced, Hannah has featured on BBC World News and the Phnom Penh Post. She also co-hosts the The South East Asia Travel Show podcast.
Quotes from episode:
"The difference, I think in mentalities between travellers, is quite distinct. So whenever Indonesians can travel, you do see this pickup in domestic travel whereas I think Thai consumers and travellers tend to be a little bit more cautious and tend to not want to travel.
And I think that's a lot down to those government policies... because if the government is constantly telling you it's really dangerous to be outside and you have to wear a mask and you have to stay at home, ultimately (the messages will) become ingrained inside you."
"What I'm worried about is how tourism businesses see Southeast Asia, I really think it's going to be a market that's going to get a bit left behind with these prolonged border closures, prolonged lockdowns."
- Hannah Pearson
Don’t miss:
- Why we feel like we're languishing
- Does Malaysia have a pandemic exit strategy?
- Why some government support schemes aren't working
- How different policies across Southeast Asia are having different impacts
- Why countries are watching the Phuket Sandbox program
Resources or Links Mentioned:
Sign up for Hannah's weekly SEA travel reports:
https://insights.pearanderson.com/sea-covid-summary
The South East Asia Travel Show:
https://www.theseasiatravelshow.com/
Hamster video on YouTube (yes, really)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO4GaRK4NKo
Connect with Hannah:
LinkedIn: Hannah Pearson
Connect with Adelaine or sign up for her newsletter:
Email: uponarrivalpodcast@gmail.com