Weekly Asia Pacific Snapshot: Jul 17 Travel Dashboard

 

Northeast Asia

Destination Headlines: China’s visa-waiver policy boosts inbound tourism: Foreign visitors up 152%. Skift (Jul 9) China's outbound tourists to top 200 million by 2028. YiCai (Jul 9)

Travel Updates:  China expands visa-free access to more provinces and tourists hotspots as foreign visitor numbers begin rebound. SCMP (Jul 15) Travel Policy Updates:  China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on Monday that the country's 144-hour visa-free transit policy has been expanded to three more entry ports, taking the number of ports covered by the policy to 37. The State Council (Jul 15) Shanghai Municipality has issued China's first e-visa, a significant move for the country in promoting the use of electronic visas. The State Council (Jul 13) Full information from The State Council, China >

Destination Headlines: Chinese Taipei turns to Southeast Asian tourists as Chinese stay away. Bloomberg (Jul 11) Significant drop in number of international tourists since Hualien quake: Tourism Administration. RTi (Jul 11)

Travel Updates:  Taitung to Hanoi flights to begin Aug. 30 with VietJet. Taipei Times (Jul 15) Chinese Taipei's EVA Air retains position as 10th best airline in world. Focus Taiwan (Jul 15) Travel Policy Updates:  MOFA announces one-year extension of trial visa-free entry for nationals of New Southbound Policy partner countries Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. Bureau of Consular Affairs (Jun 4) People who have been in Afghanistan, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) for four weeks or longer within the past year, must submit proof of having taken the oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) or the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) four weeks to one year before applying for Chinese Taipei visas. Bureau of Consular Affairs (Jan 17) Full information from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Taipei >

Destination Headlines: Cathay Pacific mulls upgrading its post-COVID recovery timeline. China Travel News (Jul 15)

Travel Updates:  Regent Hong Kong hailed as Travel+Leisure’s #1 city hotel in Hong Kong SAR, #2 in Asia. Travel Daily Media (Jul 15) Travel Policy Updates:  Eswatini nationals will now require a visa for entry into Hong Kong SAR. News Gov HK (Jan 23) "Fly from Hong Kong via Zhuhai" policy 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) Full information from The Government of HKSAR >

Destination Headlines: JTB forecasts outbound travellers from Japan may recover to 65% of pre-pandemic in this summer holiday season. Travel Voice Japan (Jul 9) Japan's top credit card company to launch travel booking site with Hopper. Nikkei Asia (Jul 11)

Travel Updates: Disney cruise ship scheduled to operate in Japan from FY 2028. Kyodo News (Jul 9) Japan innovates after dark events for tourists’ entertainment. TTG Asia (Jul 12) 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) From Jun 3, 2024, Japan and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg introduce a Working Holiday Program that allows citizens (age 18 - 30) of one country to have an extended holiday for up to 1 year in another while working to fund their travels. Embassy of Japan in Luxembourg (May 28) Japan has simplified its visa regime for Ukrainian citizens starting June 24 to promote cultural exchange and so on. Ukraine National News (Jun 25) Full information from Japan National Tourism Organization >

Destination Headlines: Korea (ROK) launches 'Taste your Korea' brand to boost gastronomic tourism. The Korea Times (Jul 11) Korea (ROK) names leading K-pop group NewJeans as tourism ambassadors. Tatler Asia (Jul 12)

Travel Updates:  Korean Air resuming flights to China from Gimhae. Haps Magazine Korea (Jul 10) Travel Policy Updates:  Korea's Ministry of Justice to extend the pilot e-group visa programme for citizens of three Southeast Asian countries of the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam by two years. Vietnam Plus (Jun 28) Korea (ROK) will launch the "K-culture training" visa for foreigners on a trial basis starting this year, which will be available for people taking part in training programmes on K-pop, choreography and other cultural sectors. Yonhap News Agency (Jun 17) Full information from Korea Tourism Organization >

Southeast Asia

Destination Headlines: 36% spike in foreigners flocking to Angkor in 6 months. Khmer Times (Jul 11) 16.5% rise in garment, footwear, travel goods export in H1. Khmer Times (Jul 17)

Travel Updates:  Ministry Of Tourism revives Forum for private sector collaboration. US-ASEAN (Jul 10) Travel Policy Updates:  From July 1, 2024, tourists must submit the declarations via the Cambodia e-Arrival card 7 days before the date of arrival in the country. Cambodia E-Arrival Card Full information from Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperations >

Destination Headlines: Indonesia’s tourism sector to exceed 12.5M jobs in 2024. Travel Daily News (Jul 12)

Travel Updates:  Minister Uno declares Wanurejo best tourism village. Antara News (Jul 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: Japanese tourists increased by 50% in 2024, says Ministry. The Star (Jul 12) Tourism Malaysia aims for RM 88B receipts in 2024. The Star (Jul 11)

Travel Updates:  Tourism Malaysia launches sustainable tourism CSR programme on Redang Island. Travel Daily News (Jul 10) Scoot begins air services from Singapore to Malaysia’s Sibu. The Hindu (Jul 10) 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 Immigration Department, Malaysia >

Destination Headlines: Myanmar officially lifts all COVID-19 travel restrictions. Visa News (Jul 9)

Destination Headlines: SIA Group passenger traffic up 7.2% in June. The Business Times (Jul 15) China main Singapore visitor source market in June, H1. GGR Asia (Jul 10)

Travel Updates:  Singapore's Gardens by the Bay world's most popular garden on Instagram. VnExpress (Jul 14) Travel Policy Updates:  Singapore and Timor-Leste reached a mutual agreement on visa waiver: Holders of Diplomatic, Official, and Ordinary passports issued by Singapore can stay of up to 30 days in Timor-Leste, while holders of Diplomatic, Official, Service and Ordinary passports issued by Timor-Leste will enjoy up to 30 days visa-free stay in Singapore. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Jun 27) 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) Full information from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Singapore >

Destination Headlines: TAT expects Korean tourist arrivals to reach 1.94 million this year. The Nation (Jul 14) Thailand targets 8 million Chinese tourists with airline expansion. China Travel News (Jul 10)

Travel Updates:  Thailand to offer 60-day visa-free entry to 93 countries and territories effective July 15. Pattaya Mail (Jul 13) Centara named the strongest brand in "Thailand 50" report. Bangkok Post (Jul 10) Travel Policy Updates:  Thailand will allow tourists and short-term business travellers from 93 countries/regions to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days (instead of 30 days as before). The Government Public Relation Department (May 31) Thailand introduces digital nomads visa - the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) - that permits up to 180 days per visit. The Government Public Relation Department (May 31) Full information from Thai Embassy >

Destination Headlines: Vietnam’s tourism sector records strong growth in first half of 2024. Travel Daily News (Jul 11) 3 Vietnamese resorts most loved in Southeast Asia: Travel+Leisure. VnExpress (Jul 12)

Travel Updates:  Vietnam Airlines to launch direct route from Hanoi to Phnom Penh. VnExpress (Jul 15) 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: Government plans to establish Tourism University: Frauk Khan. Bangladesh Sangbad Sangtha (Jul 14)

Travel Updates:  Air China Dhaka-Beijing direct flight inaugurated in Bangladesh capital airport. The Star (Jul 12)  Travel Policy Updates:  Bangladesh has visa exemption agreement with Maldives for all passport holders (Excluding Employment). Visa Waiver Agreement (Apr 25) Full information from Bangladesh Tourism Board >

Destination Headlines: India records 6.3% rise in domestic air travel at 132.8 Lakh in June. NDTV (Jul 9) Qutub Minar dethrones Agra Fort as tourist magnet in historic shift. Business Standard (Jul 11)

Travel Updates:  Air Kerala, India's 1st Southern regional low-cost airline, takes off in 2025. Travel + Leisure (Jul 13) Uttar Pradesh govt to add 200,000 hotel rooms to tourism inventory. Business Standard (Jul 11) Travel Policy Updates:  Malaysian Nationals will be granted 30-day e-Tourist visa with double entry on gratis basis (no visa fees) with effect from July 1, 2024 till June 30, 2025. High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur (Jul 1) Starting from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024, the Government of India will grant 30-day e-Tourist visa with single/double entry on a gratis basis to Thai nationals. Embassy of India, Bangkok (Jun 28) Full information from Ministry of Tourism, India >

Destination Headlines: Pakistan, Azerbaijan sign 15 agreements in various fields including trade, minerals and tourism. Arab News (Jul 11)

Travel Updates:  Major Pakistani airports to get smart gates for seamless travel. Aaj TV (Jul 14)  Travel Policy Updates:  The progress achieved by existing Joint Working Groups (JWGs) in various fields, including trade, investment, transport, energy, culture and tourism, was noted by the two leaders; and regular interactions of these JWGs were encouraged by the two sides.  Pakistan and Tajikistan exempted official passports from visa requirements. Government of Pakistan (Jul 3) 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) Full information from Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan >

The Pacific

Destination Headlines: Tourism Tasmania takes creative to pitch. Mumbrella (Jul 10)

Travel Updates:  NSW invests $250,000 in new mental health scheme for tourism, hospitality employees. Human Resources Director (Jul 12) Travel Policy Updates:  Australia added the Philippines to its Work and Holiday (subclass 462) programme, which allows 200 young Filipino and Australian passport holders each year enjoy a 12-month holiday in each other’s country. The program started on July 1, 2024. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Jul 1) China and Australia have decided to offer five-year multiple-entry visas for each other's citizens for tourism and business purposes. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China (Jun 18) Full information from Department of Home Affairs, Australia >

Destination Headlines: PNG’s Economic Outlook remains positive: IMF. Islands Business (Jul 15)

Travel Updates:  Marriott signs agreement to debut Sheraton Hotels & Resorts brand in PNG. Travel Weekly (Jul 16) Air Niugini renews relationship with Airbus with fleet overhaul underway. Business Advantage PNG (Jul 15) Travel Policy Updates:  Papua New Guinea opens Visa on Arrival (VoA) to all Pacific Island States and Territories. Papua New Guinea Immigration & Citizenship Authority (Dec 20, 2023) Passport holders from Japan, Israel, Indonesia, China, and Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) countries can now access Visa on Arrival (VoA) at Jackson's International Airport in Port Moresby. Additional agreements with India and Korea (ROK) await parliamentary ratification. PNG Facts (Sep 26, 2023) Full information from Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotions Authority >

Destination Headlines: Guam, CNMI lawmakers adopt resolutions on travel, disaster response. Pacific Daily News (Jul 14)

Americas

Destination Headlines: Mexico registered a historic increase of 7.7% in the receipt of tourist currency. America Economia (Jul 15)

Travel Updates:  Tulum named ‘best beach’ in the region for third year in a row. Mexico News Daily (Jul 9) Travel Policy Updates:  Mexico to require visas for Peru nationals after migration spike. Gobierno de Mexico (Apr 6) 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 Government of Mexico >

Destination Headlines: US hotel demand trends show positive signs for leisure, group and international travel. CoStar (Jul 12) US projecting 91 million visitors per year by 2026. eTurboNews (Jul 11)

Travel Updates:  Travel bookings to Miami surge as Messi plays in Copa America Final. Skift (Jul 12) Travel Policy Updates:  The U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan launched a new and improved visa appointment system on June 10, 2024. Through the new service, visa applicants will be able to obtain visa information, pay any required visa fees, schedule a nonimmigrant visa appointment, and receive document courier services. U.S Embassy in Uzbekistan (Jun 7) 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 State >

Europe, West Asia, Africa

Destination Headlines: Azerbaijan Tourism sector to grow 28% in 2024: WTTC. Travel Trends Today (Jul 11) Air passenger transport to Azerbaijan increases. Azer News (Jul 13)

Travel Updates:  Azerbaijan to launch an electronic, free-of-charge “COP29 Special Visa”. Visa Guide (Jul 10) Travel Policy Updates:  Azerbaijan has decided to implement a one-year unilateral visa-free policy for Chinese nationals. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Jul 3) Azerbaijan and Morocco have signed a visa - free agreement for citizens with ordinary passports of both countries. Azerbaijan State News Agency (May 6) Full information from Azerbaijan Tourism Board >

Destination Headlines: Saudi Arabia records 17% rise in passenger air travel in first half of 2024. Arab News (Jul 13)

Travel Updates:  Saudi tourism ministry launches diploma programme. Arab News (Jul 13) Travel Policy Updates:  Saudi Arabia announced the official Approved Destination Status (ADS), effective July 1, in an effort to prove Saudi Arabia's readiness for welcoming Chinese visitors. Chinese visitors can expect to enjoy streamlined visa procedures, increased flight capacity, Mandarin integration, ... when traveling to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Press Agency (Jun 23) Saudi Arabia has eased tourist visa requirements for Pakistani travellers with “immediate effect” wherein applicants can now submit a bank statement showing a minimum monthly credit amount of $750 or its equivalent. Geo news (Jul 3) Full information from Saudi Tourism Authority >

Destination Headlines: ForwardKeys: Tourism demand increases in Spain, even as protests indicate local frustration. Hotel News Resource (Jul 11)

Travel Updates:  IHG to open four new hotels in Spain. BTN Europe (Jul 11) Travel Policy Updates:  The European Commission will increase short stay Schengen visa (visa type C) fees worldwide by 12%. The increase will apply worldwide as of 11 June 2024. New Schengen visa fees will be 90 euros for adults and 45 euros for children aged 6 to below 12 years of age. European Commission (May 20) Full information from Spanish Tourism >

Destination Headlines: UAE’s hotel occupancy rate rises in summer. Gulf Today (Jul 13)

Travel Updates:  Etihad Airways takes off from Abu Dhabi to Bali with new direct flights. Tempo.co (Jul 10) Marriott to bring Ritz-Carlton Reserve to Ramhan Island, Abu Dhabi. Breaking Travel News (Jul 11) Travel Policy Updates:  Flu vaccination cards for UAE residents are now mandatory for Umrah and Hajj travellers. Gulf Today (Mar 25) 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 (Mar 17) Full information from UAE Government Portal >

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