Two years after tourism in Southeast Asia ground to a halt, travelers are getting back on planes as entry and COVID-19 quarantine rules are lifted in the region, but a full recovery will be slow and some long-time hotspots are falling out of favor.
The ForwardKeys data showed Singapore and Philippines bookings were at 72% and 65% of 2019 levels, respectively, while Thailand was at just 24%. Asia, though, is lagging a recovery in other regions including Europe, which eased restrictions months ago. Travel and tourism in Southeast Asia – known for its white sand beaches, historical architecture, and warm climate – contributed $380.6 billion to the region’s GDP in 2019, or 11.8% of the total, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.The profile of international travelers to Southeast Asia also has shifted.