Ει βούλει καλώς ακούειν, μάθε καλώς λέγειν, μαθών δε καλώς λέγειν, πειρώ καλώς πράττειν, και ούτω καρπώση το καλώς ακούειν. (Επίκτητος)
(Αν θέλεις να σε επαινούν, μάθε πρώτα να λες καλά λόγια, και αφού μάθεις να λες καλά λόγια, να κάνεις καλές πράξεις, και τότε θα ακούς καλά λόγια για εσένα).
Weekly Asia Pacific Snapshot: Dubai gives 10-year residency to creators; Japan limits visa slots; and more
The list of featured destinations in this newsletter will rotate weekly, the remaining destinations can be found on our webpage.
Northeast Asia
Destination Headlines:
CNY travel: 4.8 billion domestic trips estimated taken over Jan 14-Feb 2. China Daily (Feb 3)
Hong Kong SAR residents lead Lunar New Year travel surge to Mainland China. Travel and Tour World (Jan 30)
Travel Updates:
China sees booming holiday consumption driven by longer trips, culture craze. China Daily (Feb 1)
Travel Policy Updates:
Visa-free stays in China increased from 15 to 30 days, and nine new countries will be added to the list of nations benefiting from the unilateral visa-free policy. VisasNews(Dec 22, 2024)
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on 17 Dec 2024 that it will fully relax the visa-free transit policy, effective immediately. The stay duration for foreign nationals eligible for visa-free transit has been extended from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). Chinese Visa App Centre(Dec 23, 2024)
Hong Kong SAR welcomes 461,752 Lunar New Year visitors over 3 days; occupancy rates above 90%. SCMP; SCMP (Jan 31)
Hongkongers make 1.8 million trips out of city during Lunar New Year break. SCMP (Feb 2)
Travel Updates:
Tibet Airlines connects Hong Kong SAR to Lhasa with new direct flights. Travel + Leisure Asia (Feb 5)
Travel Policy Updates:
The visa-free period for nationals of Saudi Arabia to visit the HKSAR will be extended from 30 to 90 days, per January 15, 2025. Govt of HK(Jan 14)
Hong Kongers will require an ETA to enter the UK from Jan 8, 2025. Hong Kongers with British National (Overseas) passports will also need an ETA, as will babies and children. HK Free Press(Jan 8)
Hotel stays in Japan hit record 651M on inbound tourism surge. Nikkei Asia (Jan 31)
Travel Updates:
Japan limits visa slots for Filipinos as tourist numbers surge. Kyodo News(Jan 29)
Japanese city hires guards to manage flood of tourists at site of iconic sea view. The Independent(Jan 29)
Travel Policy Updates:
Japanese government eases visa rules for Chinese travellers, including a new 10-years-valid multiple visa and extension of stays in Japan. Travel Voice Japan (Jan 6)
Starting Jan 1, 2025, as for nationals of Germany, Ireland, and Slovakia, the Working Holiday Programmes will be allowed for two lifetime occurrences (two inconsecutive one-year stays in total). MOFA (Jan 1)
Seoul tourism recovers to pre-pandemic level. The Korea Herald (Jan 30)
Foreign tourist numbers rebound to 16.3 million in 2024, near pre-pandemic levels. KBS World(Jan 31)
Travel Updates:
K-Culture boosts medical tourism: 4 in 10 foreign patients choose Korea (ROK) for its culture. Korea Bizwire(Feb 2)
Travel Policy Updates:
The Ministry of Justice is accepting applications from local governments in a local government-designed visa programme. They will pilot the visa programme in 2025 and 2026, allowing regional governments to establish tailored guidelines for the D-2 student visa and E-7 work visa. Korea JoongAng Daily (Jan 3)
1.01 million visitors to Macao in first 6 days of Lunar New Year Golden Week. GGR Asia (Feb 3)
Sands China sees full-year revenue up by 8.4%. The Macao News (Jan 30)
Travel Updates:
Hong Kong SAR-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge sees record daily passenger trips. Bastille Post (Feb 1)
Travel Policy Updates:
Per Jan 1, 2025, permanent residents of Zhuhai City and the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin are able to apply for a "one trip per week" permit for Macao. Under the policy, they can visit Macao once per calendar week, with a maximum stay of seven days per trip. The State Council (Nov 29, 2024)
Cambodia makes US$3.63B revenue via tourism in 2024; expects more Chinese tourists in 2025: minister. The Star; Khmer Times (Feb 3)
Travel Updates:
Cambodia’s Angkor Archaeological Park goes self-serve. eTurboNews (Jan 30)
Travel Policy Updates:
From January 1, 2025, Cambodia has lowered the cost of its electronic visas. Tourist e-Visas now cost $30, down from $36; Business e-Visas are reduced to $35, down from $42. India Today (Jan 3)
Domestic travel of Indonesian tourists reaches 1.02 billion in 2024. Tempo.co (Feb 3)
Travel Updates:
Bali named world's 2nd best honeymoon destination. VnExpress (Feb 2)
Travel Policy Updates:
Indonesia launches a new e-Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) service for 97 nationalities, including the US, Canada, India, Japan, and Australia. ASEAN Briefing(Nov 25, 2024)
Azerbaijan and Indonesia waived mutual visa requirements for diplomatic and service passports holders. Xalq qazeti(Nov 29, 2024)
Sabah marks Chinese New Year with 5,039 visitors. Daily Express (Feb 2)
Travel Updates:
Indonesia, Malaysia push for improved cross-border access. TTG Asia (Jan 30)
Travel Policy Updates:
Malaysia has extended its visa-free entry for Indian nationals until December 31, 2026. Times of India(Dec 22, 2024)
All foreign citizens travelling to Malaysia must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC). Effective January 1, 2024, completion of this MDAC will be mandatory, except for some conditions mentioned in the list. Immigration Department of Malaysia(Jan 1, 2024)
Jewel Changi Airport reports record-high footfall, sales amid steady growth in air travel. TTG Asia (Jan 31)
Travel Updates:
Scoot Launches direct flights from Vienna to Singapore. Travel Daily News(Jan 23)
SIA ranked top airline, clinches 28th overall spot in Fortune’s list of world’s most admired firms. The Straits Times(Jan 30)
Travel Policy Updates:
Singaporeans are required to apply for and obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before making a UK trip from Jan 8, 2025. The Straits Times (Jan 8)
‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 could boost Thailand’s tourism by 20%, officials predict. Robb Report (Jan 29)
Thailand targets 3.5 trillion baht in tourism for 2025. Bangkok Post (Feb 3)
Travel Updates:
Thailand’s luxury hotels growth outpaces London and Singapore. The Nation (Jan 31)
Travel Policy Updates:
Thailand will adopt a new digital immigration system called the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) starting May 1, 2025. This system will replace the paper TM6 form to simplify entry procedures for foreign travellers. Nation Thailand (Feb 1)
Thailand has decided to ease rules for long-term visa applicants, scrapping the minimum income requirement and four family members cap for digital nomads and other professionals. VisaGuide (Jan 15)
Vietnam's 2 largest cities report highest tourism revenues during Tet holidays; airports serve 3.6 million passengers. VnExpress; VnExpress (Feb 3)
Travel Updates:
Vietnam Airlines starts Hanoi - Milan nonstop flights from July 1. Travel and Tour World (Jan 31)
Travel Policy Updates:
Visa-free travel agreement between Belarus and Vietnam became effective since January 30, 2025. Nationals of both territories are eligible to travel visa-free to each other’s countries for stays that do not surpass 30 days from the date of entry. VisaGuide(Jan 30)
Starting on March 1, 2025, the Vietnamese government will allow Polish, Czech, and Swiss citizens to enter the country visa-free for 45 days. VisaGuide(Jan 16)
Hotel industry applauds the direction of the Budget proposals. The Economic Times(Feb 3)
Travel Updates:
Air India launches worldwide ‘Namaste World’ sale from Feb 2-6. Travel Daily Media (Feb 3)
Travel Policy Updates:
The Indian government has launched two special visas for international students: the e-student visa for students and the e-student-x visa for their dependents. Applicants must register on the 'Study in India' portal to apply for these visas, enabling them to pursue higher education in India. Live Mint(Jan 5)
Wego expands OTA platform to Pakistan, enables direct bookings. Pakistan Today (Jan 31)
Pakistan to set up tourism route with Iran soon. Samaa (Jan 31)
Travel Updates:
BWH opens its third hotel in Pakistan. TTR Weekly (Jan 31)
Travel Policy Updates:
Sikh pilgrims from the US, UK and Canada will receive free online visas processed within 30 minutes upon arrival in the country to pay respect to their religious sites. Business Standard (Nov 2, 2024)
More than 8M travellers pass through Queensland Airport Limited terminals in 2024. Travel Weekly (Jan 30)
Australian tourism jobs exceed pre-pandemic levels for the first time in 12 months. Karry On (Feb 5)
Travel Updates:
Australia’s longest EV charging network hailed as tourism wonder. The Driven(Feb 4)
Travel Policy Updates:
From January 1, 2025, applicants for Australian student visas are required to include a “Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)” in order to verify their enrollment in a registered course at an educational institution in Australia. VisaGuide(Jan 6)
Australians are required to apply and obtain ETA to visit the UK, per Jan 8, 2025. Executive Traveller(Jan 8)
Steady increase in November visitor arrivals. Samoa Observer(Feb 3)
Americas
Destination Headlines:
Tariffs create uncertainty for Manitoba tourism, but low dollar may draw U.S. travellers: economist. CBC (Feb 2)
Canada's live music industry and tourism spending add nearly $11B to GDP. Toronto Sun (Jan 30)
Travel Updates:
B.C. tourism industry hopeful for boost in visitors during Trump presidency. CTV News (Jan 31)
Travel Policy Updates:
IRCC extended the temporary public policy allowing for open work permits to be issued to applicants applying for PR, under the temporary resident to permanent resident pathways (TR to PR pathway), as per Dec 17 2024. CIC News (Jan 11)
CoStar, TE maintain 2025 US hotel growth projections — but note Trump risks. Hotel Dive (Jan 31)
Destination Niagara USA expands outreach, as India becomes 2nd-largest overseas source market for tourism. Niagara Frontier Publications (Feb 4)
Travel Updates:
Visit California and Los Angeles Tourism say Los Angeles is open to travellers. TravelAge West (Jan 31)
Travel Policy Updates:
USA to restrict visa issuance and approval to several foreign countries deemed as security or public-safety threat. The White House (Jan 20)
USA has designated Romania as a participating country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). System will be updated on or around March 31, 2025, to allow most citizens and nationals of Romania to apply to travel to the United States under the VWP for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa. US Homeland Security (Jan 10)
Riyadh Season 2024 attracts over 18M visitors. ZAWYA (Feb 3)
Saudi Arabia becomes number one destination for Pakistanis: Wego. Tribune (Feb 2)
Travel Updates:
Hyatt plans to triple number of Saudi hotel rooms by 2030, targets expansion to 13 new EAME territories. Arabian Business(Jan 29)
Saudi Arabia set to launch region’s inaugural five-star luxury train. Business Recorder(Feb 3)
Travel Policy Updates:
HKSAR passport holders can enjoy visa-on-arrival access in Saudi Arabia per January 15, 2025. Govt of HK (Jan 14)
Saudi Arabia has mandated the meningitis vaccine for all visitors, requiring proof of vaccination for entry into the Kingdom. Vaccine certificate must be issued at least 10 days before the travel date. Travel & Tour World (Jan 11)
Türkiye caps 2024 with record 52.6M tourists, gains of over $61B. Daily Sabah (Jan 31)
İstanbul welcomed more than 18 million visitors last year. Hurriyet Daily News (Feb 2)
Travel Updates:
Türkiye sets global benchmark in Sustainable Gastronomy. Breaking Travel News (Feb 1)
Travel Policy Updates:
Greece may extend the visa-on-arrival scheme for Turkish citizens visiting 10 islands in 2025. Hurriyet Daily News (Nov 19)
Türkiye to extend work permit exemption to 3 years for foreign workers who are able to provide economic, sociocultural, and technological contributions. VisaGuide (Oct 17, 2024)
