PATA Weekly Asia Pacific Snapshot: May 15 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: Chinese domestic travel surge bypasses hotel chains as thrifty travellers avoid the beaten path. SCMP (May 12) Chinese travel to the Middle East set for full recovery by 2025. TTG Asia (May 13)

Travel Updates:  China extends visa-free entry for 11 European countries until the end of 2025. EuroNews (May 8) Eight more mainland Chinese cities are joining the Individual Travel scheme. The Macao News (May 8) Travel Policy Updates:  Central Government enables eligible people from a further eight mainland cities to travel to Hong Kong SAR and Macao under the facilitated individual travel (FIT) scheme, with effect from May 27, 2024. Macao SAR Government Portal (May 11) China extends visa-free policy for citizens of 12 countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg, to December 31, 2025. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (May 7)

Destination Headlines: Hong Kong Tourism Board unveils innovative initiatives to enchant Middle Eastern travellers; signs MOU with Emirates. Travel and Tour World (May 9)

Travel Updates:  HK Express inaugurates new Hong Kong-Sanya route. Aviation Source (May 13) Travel Policy Updates:  Eswatini nationals will now require a visa for entry into Hong Kong SAR starting January 30. News Gov HK (Jan 23) "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: Popularity of ‘Pets Tourism’ is rising in Japan, as two-thirds of dog owners hope to travel with their pets. Travel Voice (May 10)

Travel Updates: Japan says you'll need to make prior bookings to hike to Mt Fuji, pay a fee. The Economic Times (May 13) 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) On April 1, 2024, expansion of the visa quota between Japan and UK, issued under the Working Holiday Program, became effective. The programme allows UK youth to travel to Japan for leisure while engaging in work opportunities on the side to pay for their travel. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (Apr 1) Full information from Japan National Tourism Organization >

Destination Headlines: Korean Air reports $323M profit with strong tourism demand. Simple Flying (May 8) Korea (ROK) targets medical tourism growth with innovative healthcare solutions for Middle East travellers. Travel and Tour World (May 11)

Travel Updates:  Seoul to introduce short-term ‘Tourism Passes’ for public transit. The Korea Bizwire (May 12) Travel Policy Updates:  From May 1, the Korean Visa Application Center (KVAC) will start accepting Tourist Visa(C-3-9) Application forms via mail for the convenience of Filipinos applicants. Korea Visa Application Center in Manila (Apr 25) 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 >

Destination Headlines: MGTO confident to reach the goal of 2M foreign visitors. Macau Daily Times (May 14)

Travel Updates:  Macao’s third overseas roadshow of 2024 kicks off in Jakarta. IAG (May 9) Eight mainland cities added to Macao’s individual travel scheme. Macau Business (May 11) Travel Policy Updates:  All arrivals, regardless of their nationalities, do not require prior approval from the health authorities to enter Macao, nor do they need to present any COVID-19 test result or undergo medical observation upon entry. Health Bureau of Macao SAR Government (Aug 30) Full information from Macao Government Tourism Office >

Southeast Asia

Destination Headlines: Indonesia increases traffic safety measures for tourism vehicles. Vietnam Plus (May 13)

Travel Updates:  Bali maritime tourism hub project targeted for completion in September 2024. Tempo.co (May 12) Travel Policy Updates:  The Directorate General of Immigration has implemented a Transitional Residence Permit policy (or Bridging Visa). With this, foreign nationals holding Visit Visas applied through evisa.imigrasi.go.id are allowed to obtain Limited Stay Permits without having to leave Indonesian territory. Immigration Office TPI Tual (Apr 23) 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: 776,845 tourist arrivals to Sabah in first 3 months. Daily Express (May 12)

Travel Updates:  Sarawak tourism minister upbeat about UNESCO recognition for Niah Caves by July. Malay Mail (May 14) Malaysia opens doors to Thai tourist buses. Free Malaysia Today (May 13) 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: Philippine tourism industry in Marinduque records impressive first-quarter results. Travel and Tour World (May 10) Filipinos plan to spend more on travel in 2024 than year before. ZAWYA (May 8)

Travel Updates:  Philippines to tighten tourist visa rules for Chinese nationals. GGR Asia (May 10) Single e-Travel QR code for seamless travel clearance takes off. Philstar (May 10) 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) Full Information from Tourism Philippines >

Destination Headlines: Singapore maps 2040 tourism vision while keeping global trends in sight. TTG Asia (May 11) Singapore tourism sees 20.1% surge in April visitor arrivals, updates tourism performance forecast for 2024. Menafn; TTG Asia (May 13)

Travel Updates:  Singapore steps up investment in tourism human capital. TTG Asia (May 13) Marina Bay Sands, UOB and  Singapore Tourism Board enter next partnership to enhance Marina Bay precinct. Travel Daily Media (May 13) 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: Thailand's new minister of tourism, sports to maintain revenue target. China Daily (May 10) Thailand beckons Indian travellers with visa-free entry, bookings soar by 50%. Travel and Tour World (May 12)

Travel Updates:  Thailand plans to promote low-season tourism. VnExpress (May 12) Amazing Thailand launches ‘Your Stories Never End’ campaign at Arabian Travel Market 2024. Pattaya Mail (May 9) Travel Policy Updates:  Thailand extends 30-day visa exemption for tourists from India and Chinese Taipei until November 11, 2024. The Government Public Relations Department (May 8) Thailand to promote visa exemption scheme for Russian tourists from May 1 to July 31, 2024. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Apr 25) Full information from Thai Embassy >

Destination Headlines: Vietnam embraces Golf Tourism with strategic partnerships and initiatives. Travel Daily News (May 14) Foreign tourist arrivals up 68.3% in first 4 month; tourism revenue hits US $10.7B. Vietnam Plus; Vietnam Plus (May 12)

Travel Updates:  HCM City makes Agoda list of ideal Asian destinations for extended stays. Vietnam Plus (May 10) 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) Citizens of Kazakhstan and Vietnam can travel visa free between 2 countries from May 25, 2024. Kyrgyz National News Agency (May 7) Full information from Vietnam National Authority of Tourism >

South Asia

Destination Headlines: India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) achieves record-breaking turnover of Rs 527 Crores in FY 2023-24. Business Today (May 11) Intrepid Travel aims to attract 12,000 inbound adventure travellers to India in 2024. Travel Trends Today (May 10)

Travel Updates:  India & Moldova sign visa waiver agreement for diplomatic & official passport holders. Visa Guide (May 13) Air India launches additional flights to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Milan. Travel and Tour World (May 10) 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: Nepal aims at building a multi-billion dollar LGBTIQ tourism market. Travel and Tour World (May 13)

Travel Updates:  Alipay+ enables QR payments for travellers to Nepal. The Paypers (May 11)  Travel Policy Updates:  Nepali citizens travelling through tour package and the members/employees of legal entities/organisations travelling to the golf countries and Malaysia have to take approval from department of immigration prior their visit. DFA (Oct 3, 2023) Nepal issues a study visa to an American citizen holding a passport of the USA, on the basis of reciprocity, the multi-entry visa fee for 5 years (study period) will be fixed at USD 160 and this visa fee will be applied from 1st Baisakh 2080 (April 14, 2023). Department of Immigration (Apr 17, 2023) Full information from Nepal Tourism Board >

Destination Headlines: Sri Lanka’s April tourism revenue rise 52%; total earnings top $ 1.25B in first four months. EconomyNext; Daily FT (May 13) Over 800,000 tourists have visited Sri Lanka this year. Daily News (May 11)

Travel Updates:  Sri Lanka will introduce new 49 hotspot tourism zones to boost global travel. Travel and Tour World (May 10) Sri Lanka retains $50 visa fee for international tourists; reworking on transition with VFS Global. VisaGuide; Moneycontrol (May 13)  Travel Policy Updates:  Starting from April 17, 2024, visitors to Sri Lanka either for business or leisure must have the e-Visa for entering the country. Department of Immigration and Emigration Sri Lanka (Apr 16) Sri Lanka further extends the free visa scheme for 7 countries: China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan until May 31, 2024. Sri Lanka Evisa Website (May 2) Full information from SriLankan Airlines >

The Pacific

Destination Headlines: Over half of Australians are prioritising travel over other life experiences: Skyscanner report. 7News (May 14) Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney airports returned to profit in 2022-23. Travel Weekly (May 8)

Travel Updates:  Qantas scraps direct flights to Shanghai as demand stays low. Brisbane Times (May 14) Qantas launches non-stop service from Manila to Brisbane. Brisbane Airport (May 14) Travel Policy Updates:  From Monday, April 29, 2024, Thai applicants for Australian visas will be able to provide biometrics and access other services in Phuket. Australia Embassy in Thailand (Apr 22) 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: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) launched two new marketing campaigns to attract responsible visitors mindful of the environment and safety. Travel Weekly (May 12)

Travel Updates:  Oahu's first adults-only hotel will open in Waikiki. Travel Weekly (May 11) 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 >

Destination Headlines: Tourist stay duration in Fiji increases. FBC News (May 7) Fiji hails spike in UK, Vancouver tourist arrivals. Travel Mole; The Fiji Times (May 13)

Destination Headlines: Bora Bora in French Polynesia tops list of world’s most beautiful beach in the world. Head Topics (May 11)

Destination Headlines: CNMI expands public bus route, explores inter-island ferry service. Kuam News (May 9)

Americas

Destination Headlines: Calgary listed as top Canadian travel destination for summer 2024. Calgary Herald (May 12) Port of Vancouver expecting a record-breaking summer season. Cruise Hive (May 9)

Travel Updates:  Marriott boosts Canadian presence with 36% revenue jump and 90 new hotels. Travel and Tour World (May 8) “Revenge travel” is over, Canadians shifting towards “mindful exploration”: study. Pax News (May 9) Travel Policy Updates:  Effective Feb 29, Mexican citizens travelling to Canada will need to meet new visa requirements. Existing eTA will automatically be cancelled unless with a work permit or study visa, eTA in progress will need to be re-applied. All travellers from Mexico will need to apply for eTA or visitor visa before entering. Government of Canada (Feb 29) The Canada - Finland Youth Mobility Agreement lets youth at the age of 18 - 35 of both countries to travel between the 2 countries through International Experience Canada (IEC) Program. Government of Canada (Mar 1) Full information from Government of Canada >

Destination Headlines: Orlando international visitors soar 25% expression in 2023; Canadians lead the way. Travel and Tour World (May 9)

Travel Updates:  Senate approves bill to reauthorise F.A.A. and improve air travel. The New York Times (May 9) Travel Policy Updates:  The US Mission in Vietnam will change its consular exchange rate from US$1=25,000VND to US$1=26,000VND starting from April 10, 2024. All visa applicants who pay the visa processing fee on or after April 10, 2024, must pay at the new exchange rate of US$1=26,000VND. U.S Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam (Apr 10, 2024) From April 17, 2024, U.S Embassy issues visitor visas (B-1/B-2 visas) to Papua New Guinean citizens traveling to the United States, which has the validity of six months maximum with single entry. US Embassy to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands & Vanuatu (Apr 17) Full information from U.S. Department of Health & Services >

Europe, West Asia, Africa

Destination Headlines: Berlin Airport reports significant growth in passenger traffic and aircraft movements for April 2024. Aviation24 (May 10) Germany seeing a surge in domestic tourism, 90 million overnight stays recorded in Q1. ASB Zeitung (May 13)

Travel Updates:  GNTO marks a resounding success at ATM 2024 with a strong focus on sustainability. ZAWYA (May 9) Germany remains preferred destination of GCC travellers. Trade Arabia (May 13) Travel Policy Updates:  All COVID-19 entry restrictions to Germany have been provisionally lifted. Entry into Germany will again be permitted for all travel purposes (including tourism and visiting trips). For entry into Germany, proof of vaccination, proof of convalescence or proof of testing is no longer required. Federal Ministry of Health (Apr 28) Germany's immigration law reforms is expected to come into force in three steps in November 2023, March 2024 and June 2024. The reforms to the Skilled Immigration Act particularly focus on workers with vocational, non-academic training. Existing rules for qualified professionals with university degrees will also be relaxed. The German legislator has restructured and widened the migration possibilities with an EU Blue Card. Federal Government (Oct 22, 2023) Full information from German National Tourist Board >

Destination Headlines: Saudi Red Sea Authority and NEOM sign tourism MoU. Maritime Professional (May 5)

Travel Updates:  Ministry of Tourism launches initiatives to enable investment in hospitality sector. Saudi Gazette (May 3) Travel Policy Updates:  Saudi Arabia has broadened its E-visa accessibility to include citizens of 3 countries: Barbados, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and Grenada. The citizens of these countries can now choose between applying for their visas online or acquiring them upon arrival at Saudi entry points. Saudi Press Agency (May 8) 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: Aena’s airports in Spain registered more than 25.6 million passengers in April. Travel Daily News (May 14) The number of people employed in the tourism sector has risen by 7.7% from a year ago, reaching almost 2.75 million. La Moncloa (May 9)

Travel Updates:  Spain's Balearic Islands expanding curbs on street drinking and party boats to crack down on alcohol-fuelled holidays in tourist areas. BBC (May 10) Travel Policy Updates:  Spain tightens visa requirements for Senegalese travellers. Spain's Embassy in Senegal Twitter (Apr 28) Full information from Spanish Tourism >

Destination Headlines: Tourism projected to account for 12% of UAE GDP this year. Travel Daily News (May 8) GCC 'Grand Tours' visa: For Dh4,000, visitors can soon explore multiple Gulf countries. Khaleej Times (May 13)

Travel Updates:  Expedia expands to the United Arab Emirates, its first new market in eight years. Web in Travel (May 8) Ras Al Khaimah plans electric air mobility by 2027. Trade Arabia (May 14) Travel Policy Updates:  Flu vaccination cards for UAE residents are now mandatory for Umrah and Hajj travellers. Gulf Today (Mar 25) The UAE list of countries eligible for visa-free regime up to 87. Check visa per country here: https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/visa-exemptions-for-non-citizen. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mar 17) Full information from the UAE Government Portal >

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