Travel Updates: - China's "ice city" sees tourism boom. Xinhua (Jan 8)
- China sees 135 million domestic trips during New Year holiday; domestic tourism set to grow remarkably by 2024. CGTN; China Daily (Jan 2)
Travel Policy Updates: - China simplified visa applications for tourists from the US from Jan. 1, cutting the documents required. Agreement on mutual visa exemption reached between Thailand and China from March 1, 2024. US-China Embassy; Royal Thai Government (Jan 2)
- China cuts visa fees by 25% for travellers from countries including Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, from Dec 11, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024, according to statements from the Chinese foreign ministry and embassies. Embassy of China (Dec 8, 2023)
Destination Headlines:- CNN names Chinese Taipei's Tainan one of world's best travel destinations for 2024. Focus Taiwan (Jan 7)
- Chinese Taipei cruise market up to 50% of pre-COVID level. Taiwan News (Jan 4)
|
|
|
Travel Updates: - Chinese Taipei to establish senior-friendly travel system. TTG Asia (Jan 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)
 |
Destination Headlines:- Hong Kong SAR, Macao, China most popular outbound destinations for mainland visitors during New Year's Day holidays. Global Times (Jan 2)
- Luxury sales revenue in Hong Kong SAR soars, tourism recovers; top city for int'l visitor spending growth potential. Travel and Tour World; Statista (Jan 6)
Travel Updates: - Cathay Pacific to resume Hong Kong-Barcelona route. Airline Geeks (Jan 2)
Travel Policy Updates: - All inbound persons must pass temperature checks upon arrival. Those found with symptoms will be referred to the Department of Health for further handling. No further restrictions upon arrival. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Feb 6, 2023)
- "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)
|
Destination Headlines:- JR passengers up 8% during year-end and New Year's holidays. The Japan Times (Jan 6)
- Inbound tourists drive Japanese department store sales to record high. Nikkei Asia (Jan 2)
|
|
|
Travel Updates:- Japan to attract foreign tourists to sightseeing areas outside major cities. NHK World Japan (Jan 5)
Travel Policy Updates: - The Japanese Embassy in Vietnam will provide electronic marketing from November 1, 2023. The electronic implementation level begins to be implemented after all the preparatory work has been completed, one after another from a number of Travel Companies designated to organize package tours. Applicable visa type: Single-entry short-term visa with the purpose of traveling within 15 days (Limited to Vietnamese passport holders living in Vietnam). Embassy of Japan in Vietnam (Oct 7, 2023)
- Starting August 21, 2023, Japan will grant visa exemption to Qatari nationals. They can electronically apply for visas at the Embassy of Japan in Doha, streamlining the process. Upon arrival in Japan, travellers should display their visa waiver registration on mobile devices. This change allows Qatari citizens to enjoy visa-free stays of over 30 days. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (Aug 8, 2023)
|
|
Destination Headlines:- Culture Ministry to invest 1.3 trillion won in tourism this year. Korea JooAng Daily (Jan 3)
- Korea (ROK) introduces ‘digital nomad’ visa that will permit foreigners to stay there for 2 years. Times of India (Jan 4)
|
|
|
Travel Updates: - Emirates ramps up Seoul operations to 10 weekly flights; Incheon-Puerto Princesa direct flights set to start in March. Times Aerospace; Palawan News (Jan 8)
- Korea (ROK) to allow ‘ads to lure foreign patients’ in medical tourism zones. Korea Biomedical Review (Jan 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)
- The Ministry of Justice in Korea (ROK) reinstated the visa-free entry system for foreign transit passengers starting April 30, 2023. For Filipino nationals, specific cases apply:
- Visa-free entry for 30 days is granted to individuals with a visa (re-entry permit, permanent residency) for the United States, Canada, Australia, or 32 European countries (details in the attachment) who transit through Korea (ROK) on their way to these countries. However, those with prior legal violations like illegal stays or denied entry to Korea (ROK) or their destination may be denied entry.
- When transferring at Incheon International Airport en route to a country not in (1), a three-day tour is possible through a recognised Transit Tourism Program by the Korean government. Ministry of Justice (Apr 30, 2023)
|
|
Destination Headlines:- Indonesia welcomes over 10.4M foreign tourists in 11 months; eyes $25 billion additional revenues with expanded visa-free entry policy in 2024. Vietnam Plus; Economy Middle East (Jan 5)
- Bali aims to welcome 7M tourists in 2024; Riau Islands aims 3M foreign tourists. The Bali Sun; Tempo.co (Jan 5)
|
|
|
Travel Updates: - Officials explains how new tourist tax will protect Bali. The Bali Sun (Jan 6)
- Lion Air to introduce new Pekanbaru-Surabaya route on Jan 12. Tempo.co (Jan 8)
Travel Policy Updates: - Indonesia update the list of countries for Visa on Arrival (VOA) and Electronic Visa on Arrival (E-VOA) Holders. Travellers can enjoy a 30-day stay in Indonesia, which can be extended to 60 days. Directorate General of Immigration (Sep 4, 2023)
- PCR test is no longer required to enter Indonesia if a traveller is fully vaccinated. Showing insurance coverage statement for COVID-19 treatment in Indonesia is no longer required. National Committee of Indonesia's Chairmanship in ASEAN (Sep 1, 2022)
|
|
Destination Headlines:- Malaysia and Singapore gaming sectors rise on Chinese tourism. Investing.com (Jan 7)
- China-Malaysia Tourism: Visa-free travel to boost travel in both directions. CGTN (Jan 2)
|
|
|
Travel Updates: - Malaysia’s Capital A paves way for merger of AirAsia’s operations globally. CNBC (Jan 9)
- Hotels in Malaysia among most affordable globally. The Sun (Jan 8)
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)
|
|
Destination Headlines:- PH records 5.45M int’l tourists in 2023, P480B in tourism receipts; sets 2024 7.7M int'l tourists target. TTR Weekly; Manila Bulletin (Jan 8)
- Bohol economy surges 7.1% on strong tourism in 2023. Manila Bulletin (Jan 9)
|
|
|
Travel Updates: Travel Policy Updates: - As of July 21, 2023 President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has announced the lifting of the Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19.
As stated in the announcement “All prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that are effective only during the State of Public Health Emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked or cancelled and shall no longer be in effect. Tourism Philippines (Sep 18, 2023) - In an advisory dated Nov. 30, the DFA said the operations of its Philippine e-Visa System in China will be temporarily suspended “until further notice”. Philippine News Agency (Dec 3, 2023)
|
|
Destination Headlines:- Changi Airport boosts spontaneous travel with “Shall We Just Go?” Travel Daily News (Jan 2)
- Indian arrivals to Singapore approach pre-pandemic levels. TTG Asia (Jan 2)
|
|
|
Travel Updates: - Budget accommodation options on the rise in Singapore, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. CNA (Jan 2)
- Vistara doubles Mumbai-Singapore flights. TTR Weekly (Jan 3)
Travel Policy Updates: - There are no longer any COVID-19 measures for travellers arriving in Singapore from Feb 13, 2023, regardless of vaccination status or traveller profile. Travellers must ensure that they fulfil all other general entry requirements as listed on Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore website. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore (Feb 13, 2023)
- Saudi nationals with passports issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will no longer need to apply for an entry visa to enter Singapore from 1 June 2023 (inclusive). Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore (May 23, 2023)
|
|
Destination Headlines:- Thailand's hotel industry ‘100% recovered’ by December end; Chiang Mai tourism expected to recover to pre-COVID levels in 2025. The Nation; The Nation (Jan 4)
- Malaysia surpassed China to become biggest source market for Thailand tourism in 2023; expects 75% recovery in Chinese tourists this year. VnExpress; Khaosod English (Jan 6)
|
|
|
Travel Updates: - Eight new airlines set to start services in Thailand this year as leisure travel rebounds. Bloomberg (Jan 2)
- Thailand approves tax cuts on alcoholic beverages, entertainment venues to boost tourism. Market Screener (Jan 2)
Travel Policy Updates: - Agreement on mutual visa exemption reached between Thailand and China from March 1, 2024. Royal Thai Government (Jan 2)
- The Cabinet agreed to exempt Japanese businessmen making business trips to Thailand, of no longer than 30 days, from requiring a visa, effective from January 1, 2024 until December 31, 2026. Thai PBS (Dec 13, 2023)
|
|
|
|
|
|
