U.S., May 15 -- It is significant that this failure has attracted the attention of an FT writer. As the FT is arguably the world's best-read publication by global CEOs, the thought-provoking column should also be of interest to Travel and tourism CEOs.

But will it? The Skift Asia Forum, due to be held in Bangkok on 14-15 May under the theme of "Asia's New Priorities," would be a good place to start, especially as it fits well within the Forum's objectives of "exploring Asia's transformation and the strategic shifts happening across the region-economically, politically, and culturally."

Writes Mr Ganesh, "Either way, something that might be called the Naipaul paradox is going on in the modern world. Foreign travel has been growing for de...