S-E Asia is open for business, but tourism recovery seen elusive for now

Singapore

SOUTH-EAST ASIA is back in business again, going by several countries' apparent zeal to declare a relaxation of border controls, but economists told The Business Times that this may not necessarily translate to a swift recovery for the region just yet.

Despite the pent-up demand for travel, the pickup is likely to be measured and "subject to diminished multipliers", said Vishnu Varathan, head of economics and strategy for Asia and Oceania treasury at Mizuho Bank.