Jakarta, ThedailyID — Forest and land fires in Southeast Asia are disrupting tourism as thick haze affects flights, forces travel cancellations, and reduces hotel and tour bookings across Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.
On October 20, 2026, IQAir monitoring placed Jakarta, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur among the world’s 10 most polluted cities.
In Indonesia, haze has disrupted domestic and international flights. Tour operators have also canceled trips and redirected travelers to alternative destinations.
According to VnExpress, the fires have affected Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan, a popular destination for tourists hoping to see orangutans in their natural habitat. Ricky Setiawanto, director of Panorama Destination, said worsening haze had forced two tourist groups to cancel visits to the park within just one week.
The Indonesian government has deployed ground crews and aerial firefighting operations to tackle hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Authorities also scattered 3.2 tonnes of dry ice over Palembang as part of a weather modification operation intended to trigger rainfall.
Singapore Tour Bookings Decline
In Singapore, haze has forced some tourists to revise their itineraries to reduce exposure to air pollution. Others have continued sightseeing while wearing N95 masks.
According to The Straits Times, Singapore experienced 19 consecutive days of unhealthy air quality from October 5 to 23, 2026.
Tour operator Six Stars Tours and Services reported fewer bookings from international visitors and more cancellations after air quality deteriorated in September.
VTL Travel, which operates walking and cycling tours under the Rediscover Singapore brand, recorded a 20% to 30% decline in ticket sales from September.
Between September and October, the company operated only two tours per month, down from its usual four to eight.
The Singapore Tourism Board reported 1.23 million international visitor arrivals in September 2026. That figure represented a 2.2% decline from the same month in 2025.
Malaysia Hotels Face Lower Occupancy
Malaysia has also experienced weaker tourism demand as haze spreads across the region. Bloomberg reported that tour operators faced cancellations for November 2026 trips and fewer group bookings. Overseas travel agents have also increasingly requested updates on air quality.
In Johor, hotel reservations have dropped sharply in recent weeks. Ivan Teo, chairman of the Malaysian Association of Hotels’ Johor chapter, said bookings had fallen by around 20% since the haze began affecting the area.
Jarod Chia, chairman of the Malaysia Budget Hotels Association’s Johor chapter, reported a similar trend. Hotels operated by association members recorded occupancy declines of 15% to 20%.
The figures highlight the broader economic impact of the haze crisis, as worsening air quality disrupts travel plans and puts pressure on tourism businesses across Southeast Asia.
