Raini Hamdi

As the Southeast Asian country that depends the most on tourism, the Philippines will have to work doubly hard to shed its underachiever image in the post-pandemic world.

A less unsung story than China's growth is how the pandemic has made the rest of Asia-Pacific a gold mine for chains. Opportunities for conversions and franchising appear at their strongest ever. But the best thing? Owners with a new mindset.

A new flare-up of Covid-19 cases in northern Vietnam does not change the fact the country has a lot going for it and that its commercial capital in the south, Ho Chi Minh City, is a rising star in Asia.

There will be a stronger domestic and regional focus in the travel industry in 2025, and given that some of the world's biggest source markets will be in Asia (think China, India and Indonesia), Asia looks set to be the key beneficiary. But can the unbeatable beauty of Bryce Canyon in Utah, the pull of London's West End, or Parisian street life really keep Asians close to home for long?

Destinations were counting on China as the Asian market that will drive tourism recovery. Increasingly, however, their attention is shifting to India, which may be smaller than China, but mighty in its own way.

A second wave in Japan puts its tourism members on a joyless rollercoaster ride. Small inbound travel specialists especially are hanging by a thread. Huddling together for strength and inspiration is a good idea.

A Sri Lanka reopening may be imminent. More importantly, the destination is looking beyond Covid-19 to reposition itself yet again, taking lessons from the Easter Sunday bombings crisis to find its place in the tourism universe.

It would be fantastic if 2021 would see 100 million mainland Chinese traveling overseas. The first huge swell is touted to begin during the Lunar New Year holiday in February. But like a horoscope, it's just a prediction. Still, destinations are wise not to be caught off-guard should the big moment happens.

Anyone who says Covid-19 will finally do what the internet hasn't quite done — that is, sunset the travel agency — is speaking too soon. Singapore, where logically agents are least needed, isn't seeing massive closures so far, thanks to a government that recognizes their expertise, rather than a bot's.

Reopening isn't just about giving tourists an entry pass, but having the ability to offer them the product they imagine it to be. In Thailand, both are a problem — unless the government acts.