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: Indonesia goes visa-free for Hong Kongers; World Travel Awards Winners Announced; and more
Northeast Asia
Destination Headlines:
China records 110 million entry-exit trips during Summer. China Travel News (Sep 6)
China to gain top position in a decade: WTTC. Travel Biz Monitor (Sep 5)
Travel Updates:
Xiaohongshu platform earns favour among Chinese travel sellers. TTG Asia (Sep 6)
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)
The top Gen Z travel trend in Chinese Taipei is set-jetting. The Star (Sep 8)
Travel Updates:
FDC Hotel spearheads three-day weekend policy for Chinese Taipei tourism industry. Rti (Sep 5)
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)
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)
Travel spending in Japan by Japanese travellers was up 7.6% in the Q2 of 2024 compared to 2019. Travel Voice Japan (Sep 5)
70% of Japanese people agree with ‘double pricing’ for inbound travellers particularly in culture facilities or nature preservation areas. Travel Voice Japan (Sep 4)
Travel Updates:
Japan to introduce US-style electronic travel authorisation: 71 nations affected. Skift(Sep 6)
Nara working to shake day trip-only image with hotel subsidies. The Asahi Shimbun(Sep 6)
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)
Pansori-inspired Gwangju Biennale celebrates 30th anniversary with record number of pavilions. The Korea Bizwire(Sep 6)
Jeju aims casino permit renewal system to shake up industry. GGR Asia(Sep 6)
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)
Tourism Minister calls for moratorium on hotel construction in Bali. Tempo.co(Sep 9)
Indonesia named Asia's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination. Tempo.co(Sep 9)
Travel Updates:
Direct charter flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur set to boost Belitung’s tourism. Indonesia Expat (Sep 6)
Hong Kongers can visit Indonesia without visa as city joins only 1 of 3 non-Asean members. SCMP (Sep 4)
Travel Policy Updates:
Starting from July 25, Golden Visa holders can enjoy extended stay periods (up to 10 years), priority immigration service lanes at international airports, and efficiency as they no longer need to apply for limited stay permits (ITAS) at the immigration office. Directorate General of Immigration(Jul 25)
Hong Kong SAR residents have officially been granted visa-free access to Indonesia. It could facilitate international business to enabling spontaneous trips to Indonesia. Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia(Sep 4)
Lao PDR prepare to connect with Korea (ROK) through direct flights from Luang Prabang. The Star (Sep 7)
Travel Updates:
Hilton Debuts in Lao PDR with DoubleTree by Hilton Vientiane. Newswit (Sep 6)
Travel Policy Updates:
Agreement was signed between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on the Exemption of Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports from Visa Requirements. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Jul 5)
To bolster tourism in the second half of Visit Laos Year 2024, the Lao government is set to introduce a new policy granting free visas to Chinese visitors. Lao government will offer multiple-entry visas and extend the duration of stays from 30 days to 60 days for visitors from Australia, New Zealand, The United States, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Tourism Laos (Jun 27)
Selangor, Malaysia records 3.6M tourist arrivals by June, on track to achieve 7 million visitor goal for 2024, boosted by ecotourism and heritage tourist attraction. Travel and Tour World (Sep 6)
Travel Updates:
Malaysia Airlines starts direct flights to Paris beginning March 22, 2025. Travel Daily News (Sep 9)
Sarawak and Sabah launch joint campaign 'Discover Borneo'. TTR Weekly (Sep 9)
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)
Singapore Tourism Board, GD World Cruises to offer customised cruise routes and packages. TTG Asia(Sep 9)
Singapore to begin building Changi Airport's fifth terminal next year. VnExpress(Sep 7)
Travel Updates:
Singapore Airlines offers early bird discount on over 90 destinations. Travel Weekly (Sep 6)
Jewel Changi and Trip.com announce strategic partnership to boost tourism. Travel Daily News (Sep 5)
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)
Singapore has exempted visa requirements for all Omani citizens. Foreign Ministry of Oman (Jul 15)
Thailand’s foreign tourism market expected to grow by 20% in last four months. Pattaya Mail (Sep 8)
Travel Updates:
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services and Medsi Group look forward to a new era of medical tourism. Travel and Tour World (Sep 6)
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)
Vietnam welcomes 1.43M international visitors in August, achieving 17.7% growth Y-o-Y; foreign tourist arrivals to Vietnam surges 46%. Travel and Tour World; The Investor(Sep 7)
HCMC crowned Asia's leading business travel destination, Hanoi Asia's Leading City Destination. VnExpress; Vietnam Investment Review(Sep 6)
Travel Updates:
Vietnam’s green tourism strategy aims for net zero by 2050. Travel Daily News (Sep 9)
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)
Nationals of Japan, Korea (ROK) & the UAE (only for such UAE nationals who had earlier obtained e-Visa or regular/paper visa for India) are eligible for Visa-on-Arrival to India. Government of India(Aug 9)
There are no COVID-19 restrictions in place for travel to Maldives. There is no requirement to present certificates of vaccination/testing for COVID-19.
Passengers must complete a Traveller Declaration Form within 96 hours of both their arrival and their departure flights. Maldivians are no longer required to submit the Declaration form. DFA; Maldives immigration(Nov 27, 2023)
Effective from May 14, 2023, “Meeting Visa” will be granted for any foreign national visiting the Maldives for the purpose of attending a meeting, conference, or convention held in the Maldives. Meeting Visa does not require pre-approval, and it will be issued to foreign nationals who meet the entry requirements under the mentioned visa. Maldives Immigration(May 23)
New Bills aim to improve Nepal’s air safety record. ICLG (Sep 9)
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)
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)
The Western Australia tourism industry welcomes DBCA’s new nature-based tourism. Travel and Tour World (Sep 7)
Sydney crowned as Oceania’s top city destination; Australia takes home big international wins at the prestigious World Travel Awards 2024. Time Out (Sep 5)
Travel Updates:
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef tries to make sustainability cool. CNN(Sep 5)
Intrepid Travel launches new Australian guide highlighting more than 60 local trips. Travel Weekly(Sep 10)
Travel Policy Updates:
Australia have extended the business visitor visa for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and Timor-Leste nationalities to up to 5 years, instead of up to 3 years, for applications lodged after Apri 1, 2024. Department of Home Affairs(Jul 1)
Australia will join the United States’ Global Entry program from 2025, making travel easier for the hundreds of thousands of Australians who visit the US every year. The program will initially be available from January 2025 to a limited number of Australians that travel most frequently to the US, with work underway to open up the program to all eligible Australians who wish to apply later in 2025. Minister for Foreign Affairs(Aug 6)
Fiji shines at 2024 World Travel Awards with 10 awards. Breaking Travel News(Sep 7)
Travel Updates:
Tourism Fiji working with global brand on a new hotel. FBC News(Sep 9)
Travel Policy Updates:
Fijian nationals no longer need transit visas when they travel through New Zealand. New Zealand Immigration(Jun 6)
Fiji and UAE announce visa-free travel. This means that passport holders from the UAE and Fiji including diplomatic, special, ordinary and service passports can now enjoy visa-free access to each other’s territories. Ministry of Foreign Affair(Dec 3)
Hawaii Tourism Authority announces Hawaii Tourism Conference, Sep 30 to Oct 2. Travel Daily News(Sep 9)
Hawaii considering new climate impact fee for travellers. Travel Pulse(Sep 8)
Travel Updates:
Hawaii expands Japan ties as tourism slowly recovers. Aol(Sep 8)
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)
Travellers arriving in Hawaii directly from an international airport must still comply with U.S. federal requirements. For updates on international travel, visit CDC.gov.
Mexico sees 6.24% growth in international tourism during first half of 2024. Travel and Tour World (Sep 7)
Expedia ranks Tulum as the top Fall 2024 destination worldwide. Traveling Lifestyle (Sep 4)
Travel Updates:
Air Canada and Viva Aerobus sign new interline agreement that benefits travel to Puerto Vallarta from Canda. Vallarta Daily (Sep 4)
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)
