Global Tourism Economy Forum: 
Aviation Industry Leader Explores Tourism Recovery, Survival Strategies

For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE


Global Tourism Economy Forum:
 Aviation Industry Leader Explores Tourism Recovery, Survival Strategies

Macao, Dec. 9, 2020 – Co-organized by China Daily and the Global Tourism Economy Forum, a Special Interview session titled “China Daily Dialogue with Industry Leader” was held virtually on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. It attracted more than 0.28 million industry leaders, experts and academics from around the world.



The Global Tourism Economy Forum, which is organised by the Macao SAR Government annually since 2012, is a leading international exchange platform designed to promote the sustainable development of the global tourism industry. Together with the Global Tourism Economy Forum, China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable has co-organized the event for the ninth year.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the global economy, especially the tourism industry, has been battered. What innovative measures the tourism sector could take to adapt with the “new normal”? How to boost the tourism recovery? – these questions are worth thinking about.



In this special interview session, Mr. Wong Chun Wai, editorial advisor of China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable and advisor of Asia News Network, interviewed Mr. Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia Group, on tourism recovery. The key aviation industry player shared his insight into importance of aviation in tourism recovery, survival strategies of the air travel industry and recovery of tourism industry in the current challenging economic climate.

According to Tony Fernandes, the year 2020 has been the worst for the travel industry in probably the last two centuries. He believes that people are not scared to travel. Many countries are now opening borders gradually with Asia taking the lead, thanks to the strong Asian market and tough will power of the Asians, he said. He predicted that domestic travel will go back to the pre-COVID level by February next year while cross-border travels will start to recover by June. At that time, it is predicted to see more international travels. All travels will return to a pre-COVID level probably by the end of 2021, he said.

He said the aviation industry needs to adjust operational models of the companies and carry out restructuring amid the pandemic. The AirAsia Group has been trying to turn crisis into opportunities. In terms of data, AirAsia Group has learnt from Chinese companies such as Meituan and WeChat to build up digital banking and e-commerce platform. After building up the database, the tourists can complete the check-in procedures through facial recognition. That can enhance the customers’ travelling experience. AirAsia Group is now cooperating with the airports to develop digitalized travel, he said.

Tony Fernandes is confident about the recovery of the aviation industry. He highlighted that it is not the end of the tourism industry because in the globalised world, people want to go travelling and relax themselves. He believed that people would embrace travelling gradually.

Tony Fernandes was named Businessman of the Year by Forbes Asia in 2010. He was included in the 2015 TIME 100 list in the TIME Magazine. Awarded world’s best low-cost airline for the 11th year in a row, AirAsia is the largest budget airline in Asia.

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About China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable
The China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable is a by-invitation network of movers and shakers in Asia, providing platforms for focused dialogue, issue investigation and possible collective action on strategic issues relating to Asia’s economic, business and social development. Our aim is to enhance communication and increase mutual understanding between China, Asian and Western countries. Roundtable events are held in major cities across Asia.