Weekly Asia Pacific Snapshot: Azerbaijan-Indonesia goes visa-free; PIA allowed to resume Europe flights; and more.

 

The list of featured destinations in this newsletter will rotate weekly, the remaining destinations can be found on our webpage

Northeast Asia

Destination Headlines: Visa-free entry taking China tourist numbers ‘closer to pre-COVID levels.’ SCMP (Dec 1) Over 4 million foreigners enter China through Shanghai in first 11 months of 2024. CGTN (Dec 2)

Travel Updates:  Alipay unveils China Travel Voucher Pack for global tourists. Travel Daily News (Nov 27) China resumes short-term visa waiver for Japanese visitors. The Japan Times (Nov 30) Travel Policy Updates:   China and the Solomon Islands signed a mutual visa exemption agreement for citizens holding ordinary passports. International Web Portal of Beijing (Nov 7) From November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025, ordinary passport holders from 38 countries can be exempted from Visa to enter China and stay for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, exchange visit and transit purposes. Chinese Visa Application Service Center (Nov 28) Full information from The State Council, China >

Destination Headlines: Taiwan Tourism Administration promotes Muslim-friendly tourism. The Malaysian Reserve (Nov 28)

Travel Updates:  Chinese Taipei now permits visa-free entry for nationals of Paraguay & Kosovo. Visa Guide (Dec 2) Travel Policy Updates:  Chinese Taipei and Paraguayan signed an agreement that allows mutual visa-exempt entry for regular passport holders. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nov 30) Chinese Taipei extends planned digital nomad visa from 6 months to 1 year. Rti (Oct 30) Full information from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Taipei >

Destination Headlines: Hong Kong SAR rolls out Muslim-friendly accreditation system for hotels, tourist attractions. SCMP (Nov 28) Hong Kong SAR reports 37% increase in visitors, celebrating millionth arrival from the Philippines. Dim Sum Daily (Dec 1)

Travel Updates:  Hong Kong SAR eases visa restrictions for Shenzhen residents, multiple entry is now available. HKFP (Dec 3) Travel Policy Updates:  Starting December 1, Shenzhen residents can apply for a multiple-entry visa, which allows unlimited visits to Hong Kong for a year. They can stay for a maximum of seven days each time, according to a statement by the Exit and Entry Administration of the People’s Republic of China on Friday. Shenzhen Municipal People's Government (Dec 3) The Government relaxes the criteria for nationals of Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar applying for multiple‑entry visas for travel and business, and extend the validity period of multiple‑entry visas for these countries from two years to three years. The arrangement also applies to Vietnamese, who have benefitted from the relaxation of the visa policy since last year. GovHK (Oct 16) Full information from The Government of HKSAR >

Destination Headlines: The research about over-tourism in Japan finds that 60% of all regions realize over-crowded tourists, and the biggest challenge is traffic. Travel Voice Japan (Nov 28)

Travel Updates: Japan to revise duty-free rules, refund consumption tax on return. Kyodo News (Nov 27) IHG adds prestigious hotel in Hokkaido, boosts presence in Japan. Nikkei Asia (Nov 28) Travel Policy Updates:  Japan Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, will start operations on November 3, 2024. The Embassy of Japan will entrust VFS Global with the facilitation of the Japan visa application process. The Embassy of Japan will no longer accept visa applications directly from the visa applicants. Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh (Oct 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: Gyeongnam province intensifies tourism marketing, plays up wellness advantage. TTG Asia (Dec 2) October foreign tourist numbers surge to 1.6M, nearing pre-pandemic levels. Business Korea (Nov 29)

Travel Updates:  KTO rolls out QR code payments to simplify shopping for tourists. Korea JoongAng Daily (Nov 28) SAS opens first-ever direct service from Scandinavia to Korea (ROK). Travel Daily News (Nov 29) Travel Policy Updates:  The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines announces the extension of simplification of visa application requirements to: 1. elected politicians, 2. government officials, 3. professional license holders and, 4. credit card holders. Extension Period: from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025 (1 year). Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines (Oct 24) KTO revises its personal information processing policy to comply with the Personal Information Protection Act and related laws, regulations, and guidelines. In particular, change of personal information items; and contact information of personal information protection manager or person in charge. The revised Privacy Policy is effective from October 23, 2024. Korean Tourism Organization (Oct 16) Full information from Korea Tourism Organization >

Southeast Asia

Destination Headlines: Indonesia anticipates record-breaking holiday tourist surge for Christmas 2024. Global Travel Retail Magazine (Dec 3)

Travel Updates:  Indonesia provides 10% flight ticket discount to stimulate year-end tourism demand. VnExpress (Dec 2) Travel Policy Updates:  Indonesia revokes on-arrival visa policy for Macao, China; makes it compulsory for visitors to obtain pre-travel visas. Macao Business (Nov 27) Azerbaijan and Indonesia waived mutual visa requirements for holders of the diplomatic and service passports. Xalq qazeti (Nov 29) Full information from Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia >

Destination Headlines: Lao PDR sees 3.3M int'l tourists in first 10 months of 2024. kazinform (Nov 27) Ministry drives improvements in Lao PDR tourism standards. The Star (Nov 30)

Travel Updates:  Lao PDR government bans specific vodka brand after methanol poisoning tragedy. The Mirror (Nov 29) Travel Policy Updates:  Lao PDR has introduced visa exemptions for citizens from 36 countries, including key markets such as China, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Laotian Times (Oct 8) Full information from Tourism Laos >

Destination Headlines: Malaysia’s air passenger traffic hits 80.3M in first 10 months of 2024. Selangor Journal (Dec 2)

Travel Updates:  Sarawak MM2H programme registers strong growth ahead of change. IMI Daily (Nov 20) Travel Policy Updates:  The Malaysian Immigration Department has extended the auto gate facility for its clearance into the country to visitors from 53 more countries, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah. Malay Mail (Dec 2) All foreign citizens travelling to Malaysia must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC). Effective January 1, 2024, completion of this MDAC will be mandatory, except for some conditions mentioned in the list. Immigration Department of Malaysia (Jan 1) Full information from Immigration Department, Malaysia >

Destination Headlines: Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon draws over 55,000 participants. Travel Weekly (Dec 3)

Travel Updates:  Singapore’s ferry terminals get digital boost. Yorkshire Times (Dec 4) 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) Full information from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Singapore >

Destination Headlines: Thailand rolls out Biometric System for international passengers across six airports on Dec 1. Pattaya Mail (Dec 1) Thailand eyes more Saudi tourists from direct flights to Phuket. Bangkok Post (Dec 3)

Travel Updates:  Thailand welcomes Batik Air Malaysia’s inaugural flight from Johor Bahru to Bangkok. TAT Newsroom (Dec 3) Passengers to get 30% air ticket discount in Thailand during New Year celebrations. Thai PBS World (Nov 30) Travel Policy Updates:  Non-Thai nationals in Lao PDR who intend to travel to Thailand for tourism purposes or work within 60 days must apply for all types of visas only through the e-Visa system and are confirmed to make payments in cash with Thai Baht at the Consular Section of the Royal Thai Embassy, and was set to begin on January 1, 2025. The Laotian Times (Nov 21) The suspension of the TM6 immigration form for foreigners entering Thailand via 16 land and sea checkpoints has been extended until April 30 next year. Thailand Business News (Oct 16) Full information from Thai Embassy >

Destination Headlines: Vietnamese tourist attractions named world's best at 2024 travel awards. VnExpress (Nov 30) Passengers through airports to reach 10.5 million during Lunar New Year 2025. VnExpress (Nov 29)

Travel Updates:  Vietnam announces ambitious high-speed rail plans. CNN (Dec 1) Vietnam's largest island Phu Quoc among world's 25 most inspiring destinations. VnExpress (Nov 27) Travel Policy Updates:  Starting November 11, international travellers to Vietnam will be able to apply for electronic visas (e-visas) through a new web portal thithucdientu.gov.vn and https://evisa.gov.vn. Vietnam portal on Immigration (Nov 9) Foreigners and Vietnamese people holding foreign passports who enter or reside on Phú Quốc Island are exempt from visas for a temporary stay of up to 30 days. Viet Nam News (Sep 17) Full information from Vietnam National Authority of Tourism >

South Asia

Destination Headlines: Indian international travel sees 17% growth in November: Wego. Economic Times (Dec 2)

Travel Updates:  India plans to turn some of its most remote battlefields into tourist destinations. Independent (Nov 29) Travel Policy Updates:  Indian travellers will soon be able to enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, potentially as early as spring 2025. Times of India (Oct 28) The Indian Visa Application Center in Bangladesh is currently only processing visa applications related to emergencies and humanitarian issues. VisaGuide (Oct 4) Full information from Ministry of Tourism, India >

Destination Headlines: Maldives on track to hit 2M tourists by Dec 25. Avas (Nov 28)

Travel Updates:  Maldives set to increase air passenger departure tax by up to 400% from December. Travel Tomorrow (Nov 28)  Travel Policy Updates:  Effective from August 15, 2024, all outbound travellers from the Maldives will no longer be required to complete the ‘Traveller Declaration’ form. Tourist visa was last updated on August 15, 2024. Maldives Immigration (Aug 15) Full information from Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Tags:    PATA                                                                                                                                                     >