DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL AIR TRAVEL AND TOURISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA : A CASE STUDY OF SILKAIR

Abstract

The decade of the 1980s and early 1990s has been an eventful period for Southeast Asia. Political and social upheavel marked the day for some countries, while others faced economic woes. Still, others had the misfortune of experiencing these problems altogether. Despite these setbacks and calamities, Southeast Asia's tourism potential has been forecasted to be moving in the right direction. It has registered appreciable increases in its number of inbound and outbound tourists. As Southeast Asia is a geographically extensive area, the bulk of tourism is accounted for by air travel. This paper, therefore, seeks to examine the dual aspects of 'development' in tourism and air travel. It will also seek to establish the relationship between regional air travel and tourism. Recognising that tourism trends fluctuate due to various factors, this paper will also account for the inconsistencies and provide an overall assessment of the industry's expected outcome in the near future. Finally, a discussion on the role of secondary airlines in Southeast Asia will be done. This is to determine how they fit in with the air travel industry and the rationale of their existence in relation to the flag carriers of the region.