Southeast Asia tourism flourishes again

The number of Google searches related to Singapore tourism has increased by 20% since the last week of March, according to experts from Investment Bank Maybank (Malaysia).

Changi Airport in Singapore welcomed 1.14 million passengers to check in in March. This is the first time this number has surpassed 1 million since the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, in the week ending April 17, the number of passengers arriving in Singapore by air reached 400,000 (equivalent to 31% of pre-pandemic levels) after the country lifted most of the restrictions. for fully vaccinated travelers in early April.

Tourists and locals watch the sunset at Phuket island – Thailand on April 9 Photo: REUTERS

In Thailand, the number of foreign visitors in March increased by 38% compared to February. The number of foreign visitors to Thailand from April 1 to 27 was 358,500 after the country relaxed regulations. Immigration for vaccinees.

And yet, from May 1, visitors to this country do not need to be tested if they are fully vaccinated. The country hopes to welcome 6.1 million visitors this year.

Similarly, Malaysia also announced the relaxation of most regulations on Covid-19 epidemic prevention from May 1, in which fully vaccinated people do not need to be tested before boarding a plane to the country.

“April is a very important month for Southeast Asia. Optimism is back, people are thinking and talking about travel in a way like never before” – Mr. Gary Bowerman, company expert Research on travel and tourism Check-in Asia, comment.

Even so, according to page Bloomberg, high oil prices can make airfares more expensive, which in turn threatens to hinder the tourism industry’s recovery. Another problem is the limited number of flights and travel options as airlines have not yet restored full service.