Weekly Asia Pacific Snapshot

 

Destination Headlines: China reports 129.9% growth of foreign visitors this year. CGTN (Aug 19) China’s aviation sector to soar beyond pre-pandemic levels in 2024. Travel and Tour World (Aug 16)

Travel Updates:  China’s hotel construction pipeline reaches record high in Q2 2024. Travel Daily News (Aug 16) 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) China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced to implement a new policy from July 30, 2024, allowing foreign tourist groups from Hong Kong SAR and Macao, China to enter and stay for 144 hours in Hainan Province without visas. National Immigration Administration (Aug 1) Full information from The State Council, China >

Destination Headlines: Chinese Taipei's main international airport to open third terminal in 2027. Taiwan News (Aug 14) Minister touts new tourism plan–  improving tourist site quality and leveraging celebrity endorsements. Taipei Times (Aug 17)

Travel Updates:  Cebu Pacific resumes direct flights to Kaohsiung. ABS-CBN (Aug 17) Chinese Taipei is now the international favourite destination at MITEC. Travel and Tour World (Aug 17) 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: Chinese tourist visas to Japan still recovering slowly. China Travel News (Aug 19) Japanese solo travellers are interested in Korea (ROK) or Bangkok in this summer. Travel Voice (Aug 14)

Travel Updates: Japan sets 2031 target for luxury hotels at all 35 national parks. The Japan Times (Aug 16) Travel Policy Updates:  Starting August 1, 2024, UAE foreign residents are required to apply for a Japan visa via VFS Global, as the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai has entrusted the company with facilitating the visa application process. Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai (Jul 24) Foreign nationals/people who wish to travel to Japan for tourism for a short-term period can apply for a visa online and receive an electronic visa (eVISA). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Aug 1) Full information from Japan National Tourism Organization >

Destination Headlines: Busan ranked among world’s top 100 cities for living and travel. Korea Stripes (Aug 19) Travel deficit at 6-year high in H1. The Korea Times (Aug 15)

Travel Updates:  Seoul Tourism Organization to host lectures on K-culture trends. The Korea Herald (Aug 19) Culture Ministry to hand out vouchers for rural stays during Chuseok to boost tourism. Korea JoongAng Daily (Aug 20) 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 >

Destination Headlines: Mongolia targets 1M tourists with simplified visas and 25% growth in arrivals. Travel and Tour World (Aug 15)

Travel Updates:  "Welcome to Mongolia" campaign launched to attract tourists. CNBC TV18 (Aug 15) Travel Policy Updates:  Maldivian nationals will be exempt from visas when travelling to Mongolia. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Jan 15) From March 7, 2023, Vietnamese tourists travelling to Mongolia for no more than 30 days will receive visa exemption. vietnam.vn (Mar 8) Full information from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, Consular Department >