PATA:Weekly Asia Pacific Snapshot: Apr 10 Travel Dashboard

 

The list of featured destinations in this newsletter will rotate on a weekly basis. Destinations with any updates regarding a change in travel policies will be given priority to be featured, the remaining destinations can be found on our webpage.

Northeast Asia

Destination Headlines: China sees nearly 119M domestic tourist trips during Qingming holiday; marks record number of foreign tourists arrivals  and 740M trips made in 3 days. People's Daily Online; Travel and Tour World; People's Daily Online (Apr 8) China's tourist spending up by 12% during Qingming Festival holiday. Bastille Post Global (Apr 6)

Travel Updates:  Trip.com offers free Shanghai tours for international layovers starting April 15. Travel and Tour World (Apr 4) Foreign mountaineers to be permitted to climb Mount Everest from China after 4-year hiatus. Times of India (Apr 6) Travel Policy Updates:  China adopts visa-free travel for Georgian citizens. Government of Georgia (Feb 26) China announces visa-free policy for Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Xinhua (Mar 7)

Destination Headlines: Thousands resume holiday travel after Hualien earthquake; Thai tourists undeterred for Songkran. Taiwan Plus; ASEAN Now (Apr 5) Chinese Taipei cautions against visiting mountain areas following massive quake. Taiwan News (Apr 3)

Travel Updates:  Korean Air starts seasonal flights to Taichung from Seoul. Travel Daily Media (Apr 4) Indigenous Taiwanese Short wins Best Travel Film at Cannes. Taiwan Plus (Apr 2) Travel Policy Updates:  Vietnamese passport holders who submit online applications for e-visa to Chinesse Taipei "with a visa, resident certificate or permanent resident certificate issued by Japan/Korea (ROK) as supporting documents will no longer be eligible for a Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC)” from Taiwanese authorities. VnExpress (Oct 3, 2023) Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces one-year extension of trial visa-free entry from August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024, for Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines nationals. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Taipei (Aug 1, 2023) Full information from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Taipei >

Destination Headlines: ‘High expectations’: tourists, families flock to Hong Kong Stadium for Sevens rugby tournament. SCMP (Apr 5) Hong Kong SAR Feb retail sales rise 1.9% as tourism extends recovery. Reuters (Apr 3)

Travel Updates:  Two dates fixed for fireworks displays in May and June at Victoria Harbour. The Standard (Apr 6) Travel Policy Updates:  "Fly from Hong Kong via Zhuhai" policy, which took effect on Tuesday, allows travellers arriving at Zhuhai Jinwan Airport on the Chinese mainland to travel via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to Hong Kong International Airport to fly to overseas destinations without going through immigration in Hong Kong SAR. The same service applies in reverse, with people flying into Hong Kong SAR from overseas being able to transfer to China cities via the HZMB and Zhuhai Airport without the need to undergo Hong Kong immigration procedures. China News Service (CNS) (Dec 13, 2023) Full information from The Government of HKSAR >

Destination Headlines: Japan hotel rates spike 25% as weak yen draws foreign tourists. Nikkei Asia (Apr 5)

Travel Updates: Universal Studios in Osaka to double foreign employees by year-end. Kyodo News (Apr 7) Travel Policy Updates:  From April 1, 2024, nationals and people residing in Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, UAE, US, and more can apply for eVISA for short-term tourism purposes. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (Apr 1) Full information from Japan National Tourism Organization >

Destination Headlines: KTX, SRT hit record number of passengers in Q1. Korea JoonAng Daily (Apr 7)

Travel Updates:  New bullet train connects Seoul and Busan in record time. Travel Off Path (Apr 5) Travel Policy Updates:  Korea (ROK) began issuing digital nomad visas from Jan. 1, allowing foreigners to stay for up to two years. VnExpress (Jan 3) Group tourists from three Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia can travel without a visa to Korea (ROK)'s Jeonllanam-do province through Muan international airport until March 2025. Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam (Mar 5) Full information from Korea Tourism Organization >

Southeast Asia

Destination Headlines: Cambodia records significant rise in Chinese tourist arrivals to famed Angkor in Q1. Xinhua (Apr 6) Cambodia approves 106 new tourism, infrastructure, industry projects and production expansion projects with an investment of $2.2 billion. Khmer Times (Apr 5)

Travel Updates:  Shangri-La to open first Cambodia hotel in Phnom Penh this year. TTG Media (Apr 8) Travel Policy Updates:  Until June 30, 2024, tourists can submit their declarations via the Cambodia e-Arrival card or fill the declarations by hand upon arrival. From July 1, 2024, tourists must submit the declarations via the Cambodia e-Arrival card within 7 days of arrival in the country. Cambodia E-Arrival Card Full Information from Embassy of Cambodia >

Destination Headlines: Indonesia sees record holiday exodus as more than 190 million travel home for Eid. Arab News (Apr 6)

Travel Updates:  Bali considering setting upper limits on airfare tariffs for tourists. The Bali Sun (Apr 3) Dhoho Airport start its flight operations in Indonesia on Apr 5. Travel and Tour World (Apr 4) Travel Policy Updates:  Indonesia reduces golden visa investment requirements. Indonesian National Police (Feb 2) The Bali Provincial Government has applied a new tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per person to foreign tourists entering Bali. The tourist levy is separate from the e-Visa on Arrival or the Visa on Arrival. Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Mar 5) Full information from Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia >

Destination Headlines: Tourism Malaysia unveils exciting Sarawak Delta Geopark & Gawai 2024 packages. Travel and Tour World (Apr 4)

Travel Updates:  Malaysia Airlines enters into codeshare with India's largest airline IndiGo. The Edge Malaysia (Apr 3) Travel Policy Updates:  Singaporeans travelling to Malaysia will not be required to fill up the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), which will otherwise be compulsory from Jan 1 for foreign travellers. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia (Dec 8, 2023) The Malaysian government has announced that tourists from China and India will be allowed 30-day visa-free entry from Dec. 1 as part of its tourism and economic revival efforts. Belt and road portal (Nov 27, 2023) Full information from Tourism Malaysia >

Destination Headlines: Marina Bay Sands’ multi-billion dollar expansion enters final phase of design enhancements. Marina Bay Sands (Apr 5)

Travel Updates:  Singapore Tourism Board enhances Indian travellers' experience: Partner with MakeMyTrip and PhonePe to offer tours and payment solutions. The Hindu; Curly Tales (Apr 8) Brussels Airport and Singapore Airlines launch direct flights between Belgium and Singapore. Travel and Tour World (Apr 9) Travel Policy Updates:  People travelling by car between Malaysia and Singapore can now show self - generated QR code instead of the passport at 2 checkpoints at the border. Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (Mar 20) Singapore and China grant mutual 30-day visa exemptions starting February 9. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore (Jan 25) Full information from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Singapore >

Destination Headlines: 2.61 million travellers expected to use Thailand’s 6 main airports in Songkran. The Nation (Apr 4) Thailand pushes EU Schengen-style visa for mainland Southeast Asia. SCMP (Apr 7)

Travel Updates:  Thailand & Australia to soon scrap visa requirements. Visa Guide (Apr 8) TAT and Grab launch promotional campaign for secondary cities. Thailand Business News (Apr 6) Travel Policy Updates:  The Royal Thai Embassy in Wellington announced an increase in visa fees for individuals from New Zealand intending to visit Thailand. The new fees will be effective from March 19 onwards. The Royal Thai Embassy, Wellington  (Mar 5) Thailand provides special 90 day visa for cultural exploration - including Muy Thai, Thai dancing, music, & culinary arts. Prime Minister Twitter (Jan 15) Full information from Thai Embassy >

Destination Headlines: Foreign tourist arrivals up 72% in Q1; tourism sector likely to achieve yearly goal of 18 million foreign visitors. Vietnam Plus; Vietnam Plus (Apr 5) Binh Thuan targets to welcome over 9.5 million visitors in 2024. The Star (Apr 5)

Travel Updates:  2024 Hanoi Tourism Festival to take place late this month. Vietnam Plus (Apr 5) Travel Policy Updates:  Vietnam has extended the validity of tourist e-visas to 90 from 30 days, with multiple entries, and tripled the duration of visa-free stays for visitors from certain countries to 45 days. Vietnam Immigration Department (Oct 15, 2023) Mongolia and Vietnam have signed a mutual Mongolia-Vietnam visa waiver agreement. Nationals from these bilateral destinations will be exempt for visa required. Vietnam Immigration (Nov 2, 2023) Full information from Vietnam National Authority of Tourism >

South Asia

Destination Headlines: Goa tourism partners with Agoda to showcase its offerings. TravelBiz Monitor (Apr 6) Kaziranga National Park witness record-breaking tourist influx. Guwahati Plus (Apr 3)

Travel Updates:  Air India Express expands its wings with new route from Mangalore to Jeddah. Travel and Tour World (Apr 8) Travel Policy Updates:  Diplomatic/Official/Ordinary passport holders participants/delegates intending to attend G20 meetings may apply for Indian e-Visa and Reguler Visa through Indian Visa Online and select  "To Attend G20 Conference/Meeting" as visa application purpose. Indian Visa Application (Apr 17, 2023) The Union Health Ministry has further eased COVID-19 guidelines for international visitors, dropping the earlier requirement for RT-PCR based testing of a random 2% subset of international travellers. The new guidelines shall come into effect from midnight of July 20.Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Aug 1, 2023) Full information from New Delhi Airport >

Destination Headlines: Over 33,000 tourist arrivals recorded so far in April. Raajje (Apr 7)

Travel Updates:  Maldives’ tourism shifts to guesthouses. Travel Daily News (Apr 8)  Travel Policy Updates:  Passengers must complete a Traveller Declaration Form within 96 hours of both their arrival and their departure flights. Maldivians are no longer required to submit the Declaration form. DFA; Maldives immigration (Nov 27, 2023) Effective from May 14, 2023, “Meeting Visa” will be granted for any foreign national visiting the Maldives for the purpose of attending a meeting, conference, or convention held in the Maldives. Meeting Visa does not require pre-approval, and it will be issued to foreign nationals who meet the entry requirements under the mentioned visa. Maldives Immigration (May 23, 2023) Full information from Ministry of Tourism, Maldives >

Destination Headlines: Pakistan Railways launches special Eid Al-Fitr train service from Karachi to Peshawar. Hamari Web (Apr 7)

Travel Updates:  Pakistan-China Khunjerab Border reopens for tourism & trade. TravelBiz Monitor (Apr 6) Travel Policy Updates:  Inbound passengers no longer need to present COVID-19 vaccine certificate/ negative PCR Report before boarding flights or upon arrival. Geo News (Jun 26, 2023) Pakistanis need to get updated polio vaccination cards before travelling abroad. Pakistanis who need to update their polio vaccination status should visit any government hospital or medical facility to get polio drops and request fill in the form via the National Immunization Management System portal. Pakistan Observer (Aug 1, 2023) Full information from Government of Pakistan >

Destination Headlines: Sri Lanka earns billion dollars from tourism in first quarter. EconomyNext (Apr 8) Sri Lanka sees huge tourist boom in April 2024. Travel and Tour World (Apr 4)

Travel Updates:  Oman inks pact with Sri Lanka in tourism field. ZAWYA (Apr 3) Thai Airways resumes flights to Sri Lanka boosting tourism prospects. Daily FT (Apr 4)  Travel Policy Updates:  Sri Lanka is giving dual entry status on arrival to travellers from India and 6 other countries, wherein the visa validity would be limited to 30 days’ stay. This would be carried out as a pilot project effective until March 24, 2024.- the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka has announced the implementation of a new initiative granting free tourist visas to Indian travellers, who constitute the largest inbound group to the island nation. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (Oct 23, 2023) Sri Lanka extends visa-free pilot project until April 30. Minister of Tourism (Apr 1) Full information from SriLankan Airlines >

The Pacific

Destination Headlines: Australia adventure tourism market will attain a value of $33,519 million by the year 2027. Allied Analytics LLP (Apr 3)

Travel Updates:  NSW Government enhances trout hatchery for tourism future. The Mirage (Apr 9) Two Australian hotels listed on World's Best Hotel by AFAR. Time Out (Apr 5) Travel Policy Updates:  On July 1, 2023, Papua New Guinea became the newest partner country to join the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Program. The arrangement allows up to 100 Papua New Guinea nationals to travel to Australia on a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. Department of Home Affairs (Jul 4, 2023) Australia extends ten-year Frequent Traveller visa to eligible ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste.  Prime Minister of Australia (Mar 5) Full information from Department of Home Affairs, Australia >

Destination Headlines: Australia tops searches for flights to Fiji. FBC News (Apr 4)

Travel Updates:  Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association and Australian Pacific Training Coalition sign partnership to advance tourism skills development and capacity. FBC News (Apr 4) Travel Policy Updates:  Fiji and UAE announce visa-free travel. This means that passport holders from the UAE and Fiji including diplomatic, special, ordinary and service passports can now enjoy visa-free access to each other’s territories. Ministry of Foreign Affair (Dec 3, 2023) Full information from Tourism Fiji >

Destination Headlines: Hawaii Tourism Authority shares priorities for new $60M funding. KITV (Apr 7)

Travel Updates:  Hawai‘i Tourism Authority launches Mālama Hawai‘i Dashboard connecting visitors with volunteer opportunities and nonprofits. Travel Daily News (Apr 8) Travel Policy Updates:  On March 10, 2023, CDC removed the requirement for air passengers from China, Hong Kong SAR or Macao, China to show a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery before boarding a flight to the United States. Hawaii Tourism Authority (Mar 10, 2023) Travellers arriving in Hawaii directly from an international airport must still comply with U.S. federal requirements.  Full information from Hawaii Tourism Authority >

Americas

Destination Headlines: Mexico air transport market soars: 2023 records 10.6% passenger surge unveiling growth potential amid challenge. Travel and Tour World (Apr 4)

Travel Updates:  Hyatt's Inclusive Collection continues Mexico expansion. Travel Weekly (Apr 5) Tulum hotel guests could be asked to sign ‘informative document’ on legal consequences of buying drugs in Mexico. Riviera Maya News (Apr 8) Travel Policy Updates:  As of October 22, 2023, foreigners who intend to transit through Mexican international airports whose nationalities require a visa to travel to Mexico must have a Visitor visa without permission to carry out remunerated activities in order to board any flight to Mexico. Embassy of Mexico (Oct 22, 2023) Full information from U.S. Department of Health & Services >

Destination Headlines: Total solar eclipse to spark hotel revenue surge across US cities; sends short-term rental occupancy rates soaring. Travel Pulse; Fox Business (Apr 8) Travel on Airbnb generated $85B in economic activity in the US. Airbnb (Apr 5)

Travel Updates:  New York City tourism chief appointed to lead Brand USA. Travel Weekly (Apr 4) BCD Travel reveals the top destinations of 2023 for U.S. business travellers. BCD Travel (Apr 8) Travel Policy Updates:  The US launched a pilot programme that will allow domestic renewal of non-diplomatic non-immigrant visas. Department of State- Bureau of Consular Affairs (Dec 21, 2023) By November 30, 2023, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be updated to allow citizens and nationals of Israel to apply to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa. Following updates in Israel’s travel policies, all U.S. citizens may request entry to Israel for up to 90 days for business, tourism, or transit without obtaining a visa. U.S. Embassy in Israel (Oct 21, 2023) Full information from U.S. Department of Health & Services >

Europe, West Asia, Africa

Destination Headlines: Azerbaijan notes record tourism influx early this year; sees rise in payments via foreign bank cards. Azer News; Azer News (Apr 6) Number of flights between Tel Aviv and Baku returning to pre-war levels. Report News Agency (Apr 6)

Travel Updates:  Azerbaijan Airlines launches flights from Baku to Bucharest. News.Az (Apr 8) Travel Policy Updates:  Azerbaijan and Albania have signed a visa exemption agreement for persons holding regular international passports. Azerbaijan State News Agency (Mar 4) Azerbaijan has extended the closure of its land borders to ‘prevent the spread of COVID-19’ until April, despite dropping most COVID-related restrictions, including air travel. Azerbaijan Tourism Board (Dec 11, 2023) Full information from Azerbaijan Tourism Board >

Destination Headlines: Kenya’s international tourist arrivals up 31% in 2023 as earnings hit $2.7 billion. The Exchange (Apr 9)

Travel Updates:  Kenya Airways announces direct flights to Mozambique. Nairobi (Apr 9) Travel Policy Updates:  A person who is a non-Kenyan and intends to enter the territory of Kenya for a period of less than 12 months shall be required to be in possession of a travel health insurance cover designated by the Cabinet Secretary [for Health]. Ministry of Health (Oct 15, 2023) Kenya's new visa-free policy is now in effect, enabling foreign nationals to enter the country using an electronic travel authorisation instead of a traditional visa. KCAA (Jan 16) Full information from Kenya Embassy Washington D.C. >

Destination Headlines: Saudi Arabia gains more interest among Indonesians. TTG Asia (Apr 4)

Travel Updates:  Intrepid launches women-led tours In Saudi Arabia. Skift (Apr 4) UAE-Saudi weekly flights rise 13.3% during Holy Month. Gulf Business (Apr 9) Travel Policy Updates:  All travellers must fill out the Registration Immunization Information Form on the Muqeem Portal before travelling to the Saudi Arabia to allow travellers to register their immunization data. The Tawakkalna Application on mobile phone might be useful while in Saudi Arabia to show vaccination status at any stage. DFA Saudi Arabia (Apr 28, 2023) Saudi citizens can enter Albania visa-free until the end of the year. The Saudi Embassy in Tirana (Mar 20) Full information from Saudi Tourism Authority >

Destination Headlines: TikTok emerges as popular trip-planning tool in Spain. Xinhua (Apr 4) Spain’s cruise industry sets new records in 2023 with over 12M passengers. Euro Weekly (Apr 6)

Travel Updates:  Spain announces to scrap ‘Golden Visa’ programme. Times of India (Apr 9) Barcelona increases tourist tax. Travel Weekly (Apr 8) Travel Policy Updates:  COVID-19 test is not required to travel to Spain for all passengers. Spain Visa (Jun 26, 2023) Spain tightens visa requirements for Senegalese travellers. Spain's Embassy in Senegal Twitter (Jan 29) Full information from Spanish Tourism > Tags:    PATA