Published on
October 18, 2025
Southeast Asia has long been a favorite destination for travelers seeking adventure, culture, and beautiful landscapes. However, 2025 has been a challenging year for the region’s tourism sector, with multiple disruptions ranging from natural disasters and geopolitical tensions to environmental concerns. These disturbances have had a significant impact on travel plans, tourism businesses, and local economies. But as the region looks ahead to 2026, there is hope for recovery and resilience as countries implement strategies to revitalize tourism, promote sustainability, and improve safety. Below, we’ll look at the travel disturbances that affected Southeast Asia in 2025 and what travelers can expect in 2026.
1. Natural Disasters Disrupting Tourism
Typhoon Danas (Bising) struck the Philippines, Taiwan, and East China in July 2025, causing significant damage. The typhoon led to the cancellation of flights and the disruption of transportation networks, severely affecting local tourism. Taiwan and parts of East China experienced flight delays and cancellations as a result of the typhoon’s powerful winds and heavy rainfall. In the Philippines, widespread damage to infrastructure and flooding in popular tourist areas like Manila and Cebu led to disruptions in both domestic and international travel.
Mount Kanlaon, one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, erupted in December 2024, spilling ash across nearby communities. The eruption caused significant disruptions to local tourism. Flight cancellations and delays were prevalent as ash clouds affected air traffic, including domestic flights to popular destinations like Cebu and Davao. The eruption highlighted the vulnerability of Southeast Asia to volcanic activities and their potential to disrupt tourism.
In Bali, Indonesia, severe flooding in September 2025 wreaked havoc on the region’s tourism industry. Bali, a world-renowned tourist destination, was forced to shut down certain areas due to floodwaters damaging infrastructure. As a result, tourists were either stranded or diverted to other destinations, and the airport in Denpasar saw cancellations and delays. The Indonesian government’s decision to implement new regulations limiting hotel and restaurant developmenton agricultural lands further emphasizes the need for better disaster preparedness in the tourism sector to prevent such events from significantly harming the economy.
2. Geopolitical and Civil Unrest
Myanmar’s struggle with civil unrest has continued to affect the country’s tourism industry. In March 2025, a powerful earthquake rocked Myanmar, causing widespread destruction. The earthquake led to travel advisories and significant infrastructure damage. Tourist sites in Yangon and Mandalay were affected, and neighboring countries, including Thailand and Vietnam, were impacted due to travel disruptions. Tourists were advised to avoid certain areas in Myanmar, leading to a decline in arrivals from both international visitors and regional travelers.
The Cambodian–Thai border crisis that escalated between May and July 2025 caused instability in the region, affecting cross-border tourism. Tensions turned into a military conflict, leading to casualties and displacement. This conflict disrupted travel between Cambodia and Thailand, impacting tourism in popular destinations like Siem Reapand Phnom Penh in Cambodia, and Bangkok and Pattaya in Thailand. The instability not only led to safety concerns but also affected local businesses that rely heavily on tourism.
3. Environmental and Health Concerns
Southeast Asia has faced numerous environmental challenges in 2025, with severe air pollution in Bangkok, Thailandbeing one of the most notable. The smog levels in early 2025 reached dangerous levels, prompting health advisories from local authorities. Tourists and residents were advised to limit outdoor activities, and flights were delayed due to low visibility at Suvarnabhumi Airport. This situation raised concerns about the long-term viability of cities like Bangkokas tourism hubs if environmental issues are not addressed.
Meanwhile, flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains affected multiple Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. In these countries, infrastructure was damaged, and tourist areas were rendered inaccessible. Vietnam, in particular, experienced widespread flooding in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, which disrupted travel plans for tourists hoping to visit the UNESCO-listed sites. These extreme weather events underscore the growing need for Southeast Asia to focus on disaster preparedness and improve infrastructure to mitigate the impact of such natural occurrences.
4. Tourism Decline and Recovery Efforts
In 2025, Thailand saw a decline in tourist arrivals, particularly from China. Safety concerns, economic factors, and the aftermath of COVID-19 contributed to this downturn. However, the Thai government is working on strategies to revitalize the tourism sector, including promoting sustainable travel and encouraging visitors to explore lesser-known regions of the country. The goal is to reduce over-tourism in Bangkok and Phuket, while also attracting visitors to the northeastern and eastern provinces, which remain underexplored by international tourists.
In Cambodia, the rise in tourist crime, particularly in areas frequented by Korean travelers, led to concerns over the safety of foreign visitors. Pickpocketing and scam operations targeting tourists have been reported in areas around Angkor Wat and Siem Reap, causing a decline in the number of visitors. The Cambodian government is addressing these issues by increasing security and enforcing stricter regulations on tourism operators to ensure the safety of tourists.
5. What’s in Store for 2026?
Looking ahead, 2026 promises to bring both challenges and opportunities for the Southeast Asian tourism industry. While natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, and environmental challenges may continue to disrupt tourism, the region is expected to focus on sustainability and resilience in its recovery efforts.
Thailand is expected to introduce new initiatives to promote eco-tourism, focusing on sustainable travel and conservation. Efforts to expand tourism beyond the main tourist hubs and reduce the strain on popular destinations will help to spread the benefits of tourism more evenly across the country. Cambodia will likely enhance security measuresto rebuild its reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for international travelers.
Countries like Vietnam and Indonesia will focus on improving their disaster preparedness and infrastructure to ensure that their tourism sectors can weather future environmental challenges. Vietnam will continue to promote sustainable tourism while addressing the environmental impacts of its growing tourism industry.
In terms of travel, 2026 could also see an increase in the development of low-carbon travel options, with more airlines and transport services adopting green technologies to meet the rising demand for eco-friendly travel.
Conclusion: The Future of Southeast Asia’s Tourism
Southeast Asia’s tourism sector in 2025 faced significant challenges, but the region remains resilient. While natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, and environmental concerns continue to disrupt travel, Southeast Asian countries are taking steps to ensure a sustainable and safe future for the industry. The outlook for 2026 is optimistic, with a focus on eco-tourism, safety, and disaster resilience, ensuring that the region remains a top destination for travelers in the years to come.
