Diversifying Asia’s Tourism Future: Insights from the Skift Asia Forum

At the recent Skift Asia Forum in Bangkok, the panel “Diversifying Asia’s Tourism Future” brought together leading voices to examine the shifts redefining travel across the Asia-Pacific region. The panel featured Fazal Bahardeen (CEO, CrescentRating & HalalTrip), Hannah Pearson (Founder, Pear Anderson), and Gary Bowerman (Co-Founder, High-Yield Tourism), with moderation by Peden Doma Bhutia, Asia Editor at Skift.

A Leading Global Voice in Travel

Skift is the premier global business intelligence platform in travel. Known for its deep reporting, sharp analysis, and influential events, Skift connects industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to shape the future of tourism. Its Asia Forum offers a critical platform for regional dialogue—fast-paced, insight-rich, and built for forward-thinking strategies.

What the Panel Covered

This year’s discussion tackled some of the most pressing questions for Asian tourism:

• Which infrastructure projects will be game changers in the next decade?

• How are countries developing expert-led programmes for Muslim travellers?

• What’s the balance between cultural heritage and the draw of man-made attractions?

The Takeaway: Diversification Is Imperative

The panel emphasized that strategic diversification, in product development, market segmentation, and messaging, is key to unlocking Asia’s full tourism potential. Destinations must think beyond traditional source markets and experiences to remain competitive in a rapidly shifting global landscape.

For ASEAN in particular, the opportunity lies in collaboration, innovation, and culturally intelligent development. With outbound travel surging and traveler expectations evolving, Asia is well-positioned to lead if it leans into its diversity and complexity.