Southeast Asia tourism

Will tourism actually benefit the country over the long-run, or is it simply turning parts of the Indonesian economy into a neocolonial service economy?

Bali and Chiang Mai are the busiest they have been since the pandemic struck three years ago, but they're still relatively quiet.

The country welcomed 11.15 million foreign visitors in 2022, up from just 428,000 the previous year.

Indonesian authorities are hoping that the return of Chinese visitors will mark the beginning of the end for the island's long COVID-19 slump.

Unlike the U.S., Japan, and many other nations, most Southeast Asian governments are choosing to impose no new restrictions on the expected influx of Chinese nationals.

The country is aiming to attract more than 30 million tourists in 2023, but its success may depend on the future of China's "zero-COVID" policy.

In recent months, Southeast Asian nations have begun stripping away pandemic-era travel restrictions. But tourism recovery is likely to be slow.

The move, which follows a sudden easing of COVID-19 infections, will deliver a much-needed jolt to the nation's tourism industry.

The move, along with similar steps in Thailand and the Philippines, could mark the beginning of the end of the great Southeast Asian tourism recession.

The limited opening ends an 18-month shutdown that has had serious impacts on the country's economy.

Southeast Asian countries are taking a cautious approach to restart tourism.