The first quarter of the 21st century saw a dramatic rise of the Asia-Pacific region as an international tourism destination. In 2025, 330 million out of the total of 1.5 billion international trips ended here, representing almost a quarter (22%) of all international journeys. However, even though South Asia alone is home to a quarter of the global population, its share as a destination for international trips reached only 2% with 36 million arrivals. It was the only region in Asia which actually saw a decrease in arrivals in 2025 compared to 2024. 
There is no lack of reasons to visit South Asia. It offers extensive cultural heritage as the home to some of the world’s oldest civilisations and major religions, and many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as a striking natural diversity, from the Himalayas in the north to fantastic beaches in the south.
However, for many years, tourism development has been hindered by political frictions and a lack of innovation and adequate storytelling by the tourism industry.
With the rising demand for transformative travel, going beyond recreation, sightseeing, and the creation of memories, South Asia has new opportunities to offer answers to the quest for wellbeing and happiness. More travellers within South Asia, as well as those from East and Southeast Asia, are becoming interested in visiting their own continent after having ticked off New York, London and Sydney from their must-see list. Rising transportation costs and the increasing average age of the travelling population will support the trend toward intracontinental trips rather than long-haul transcontinental travel.
To start a new regional discourse about the best ways to leverage the opportunities of changing demand and new technological instruments, but also to master the challenges of climate change and a lack of regional cooperation, TravelDailyNews Asia-Pacific, part of the TravelDailyNews Media Network (Greece, Cyprus, Thailand), and the Meaningful Tourism Centre (UK and Nepal) have started with the technical support of Tanneri Chaso (Nepal) a new series of podcasts to support the rise of a new era of tourism in South Asia, called Travel Dialogues: South Asia.
The weekly podcast series explores the dynamic and evolving travel and tourism landscape of South Asia by bringing together industry experts, thought leaders, and policy makers to discuss the latest developments, sustainability initiatives, and emerging trends shaping the region. From tourism strategies to regional policies and innovations, the podcasts delve into the pressing issues and opportunities that define South Asia’s tourism sector within a fast-changing global framework.
Each podcast delivers in just 20 minutes a focused and concentrated views and insightful conversations for a deeper understanding of the forces driving the future of South Asia’s travel and hospitality industries and the way to become part of what PATA Pacific Asia Travel Association has defined as the Vision for the region: The development of a Meaningful Pacific-Asia Tourism Economy.
Travel Dialogues South Asia podcasts are published every Wednesday morning on https://www.traveldailynews.asia/. The region covered by the podcast includes from West to East: Pakistan, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Contact:
Pragya Khanal, Coordinator Travel Dialogues South Asia, pr@meaningfultourismcentre.org
Prof Dr Wolfgang Georg Arlt, Editor Travel Dialogues South Asia, Executive Director Meaningful Tourism Centre arlt@meaningfultourismcentre.org
Theodore Koumelis, Co-Founder and Managing Editor, Travel Daily News Media Network theodore@traveldailynews.asia
Travel Dialogues South Asia published podcasts:
Meaningful tourism in Nepal: strategy, challenges and growth potential
Sustainable tourism in Pakistan: growth, investment and diversification