India, July 14 -- F or Indian travellers planning an overseas holiday, Southeast Asia continues to offer a compelling mix of affordability, short flights and relatively easy visa access. Thailand, Vietnam, Bali and Malaysia have remained popular, with some travellers also looking East amid geopolitical tensions and disruptions in parts of West Asia. However, the recent fatal bar fire in Bangkok and the speedboat tragedy near Vietnam's Phu Quoc island have put travel safety back in focus. While it is too early to assess the impact on bookings, the incidents have prompted closer scrutiny of how holiday experiences are chosen. Travel influencer Deepanshu Soni says widespread coverage, particularly on social media, can influence perceptions. "Incidents like these definitely make people pause and think," he says, adding that travellers may now be more cautious about adventure activities, licensed operators and safety standards. Travel blogger Chandan Sharma believes travellers are already better equipped to assess risk. "They read reviews, verify operators and research destinations extensively before travelling," he says, adding, "I don't see Indians giving up on Southeast Asia, but I do think they'll become more mindful about the kind of activities they choose and who they book them with." Shan Prabhakaran, co-founder and CEO of Ziptrrip, does not expect the incidents to dent the long-term appeal of adventure tourism. "The focus is shifting from avoiding adventure to choosing it more responsibly," he says, pointing to greater emphasis on verified operators and reliable travel partners. Pallavi Saxena, chief marketing and revenue officer at Cleartrip, says Southeast Asia's "appeal, connectivity and value proposition remain intact". She expects travellers to look more closely at safety certifications and transparency around protocols, while tourism boards and local operators may need to communicate additional measures more clearly to rebuild confidence....