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Δευτέρα 27 Ιανουαρίου 2025

Weekly Asia Pacific Snapshot: Vietnam visa-free for 3 European countries; HKSAR-Saudi Arabia starts mutual VOA; 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:
  • Hainan, China: New visa-free policy surges tourism with 283% rise in international visitors in 2024. Travel and Tour World (Jan 16)
  • Over 208M trips expected on 6th day of China's Spring Festival travel rush. Bastille Post (Jan 19)
Travel Updates: 
  • IHG CEO optimistic about China's tourism market potential. Bastille Post (Jan 18)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Visa-free stays in China increased from 15 to 30 days, and nine new countries will be added to the list of nations benefiting from the unilateral visa-free policy. VisasNews (Dec 22, 2024)
  • The National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on 17 Dec 2024 that it will fully relax the visa-free transit policy, effective immediately.
    The stay duration for foreign nationals eligible for visa-free transit has been extended from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). Chinese Visa App Centre (Dec 23, 2024)
Destination Headlines:
  • Tourism sector’s shares jump by 3.98%. Taipei Times (Jan 18)
  • Cruise passenger arrivals reached 900,000 last year. Taipei Times (Jan 19)
Travel Updates: 
  • Chinese Taipei 'welcomes' China's plan to resume group travel on limited basis. Focus Taiwan (Jan 17)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Taiwanese passport holders must obtain a UK-issued electronic travel authorization (ETA) document to visit or transit through the UK, effective per Jan 8, 2025. Taipei Times (Jan 9)
  • Chinese Taipei has launched a six-month "digital nomad visitor visa" programme for foreign nationals from its list of visa-exempt countries, as long as the digital workers can meet certain financial eligibility criteria and provide proof of work contracts. Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Dec 26, 2024)
Destination Headlines:
  • Japan sets new record with 36.9 million international visitors in 2024; nearly 1 million Australians visited. nippon.com; ABC (Jan 17)
  • Foreign tourists spent record 8 trillion yen in 2024; Chinese tourists make biggest contribution at 1.73T. The Asahi Shimbun; China Travel News (Jan 17)
Travel Updates:
  • Disney-themed Shinkansen trains to begin service in Japan from Feb 21. Kyodo News (Jan 15)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Japanese government eases visa rules for Chinese travellers, including a new 10-years-valid multiple visa and extension of stays in Japan. Travel Voice Japan (Jan 6)
  • Starting Jan 1, 2025, as for nationals of Germany, Ireland, and Slovakia, the Working Holiday Programmes will be allowed for two lifetime occurrences (two inconsecutive one-year stays in total). MOFA (Jan 1)
Destination Headlines:
  • Biggest-ever Korea Grand Sale offers deals to foreign tourists. Korea.net (Jan 15)
  • Korea (ROK) sees Lunar New Year travel surge, 34 million set to hit the roads and skies. Travel and Tour World (Jan 21)
Travel Updates: 
  • Culture Ministry, KTO release 100 must-visit tourist spots list ahead of Lunar New Year. Korea JooAng Daily (Jan 20)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • The Ministry of Justice is accepting applications from local governments in a local government-designed visa programme. They will pilot the visa programme in 2025 and 2026, allowing regional governments to establish tailored guidelines for the D-2 student visa and E-7 work visa. Korea JoongAng Daily (Jan 3)
  • K-ETA exemption period extended to December 31, 2025 for 22 countries. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Dec 13, 2024)
Destination Headlines:
  • Mongolia's tourist arrivals reach historic high in 2024. Xinhua (Jan 19)
Travel Updates: 
  • United Airlines opens bookings for new Tokyo- Ulaanbaatar Boeing 737-800 flights. Simple Flying (Jan 19)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Visa-free travel to Mongolia for Korean citizens is extended until Dec 31, 2025. News MN (Jan 2)
  • The Immigration Agency of Mongolia has begun issuing invitation-based visas of all 54 categories electronically. Mongolian National News Agency (Sep 20, 2024)
Southeast Asia
Destination Headlines:
  • Indonesia aims to attract more foreign tourist arrivals to Raja Ampat. Anatara News (Jan 19)
Travel Updates: Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Indonesia launches a new e-Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) service for 97 nationalities, including the US, Canada, India, Japan, and Australia. ASEAN Briefing (Nov 25, 2024)
  • Azerbaijan and Indonesia waived mutual visa requirements for holders of the diplomatic and service passports. Xalq qazeti (Nov 29, 2024)
Destination Headlines:
  • Over 70% of tourism operators prepared to welcome ASEAN tourists - Tourism Malaysia DG. The Sun (Jan 17)
  • Malaysia air passenger traffic set to hit record high this year: Loke. The Sun (Jan 15)
Travel Updates: Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Malaysia has extended its visa-free entry for Indian nationals until December 31, 2026. Times of India (Dec 22, 2024)
  • 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, 2024)
Destination Headlines:
  • Tourists in PH spend an average of 11 nights. GMA News (Jan 15)
Travel Updates: 
  • DOT partners with Klook Philippines to boost tourism digitalisation. ABS-CBN News (Jan 15)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • The Philippines has launched an e-Visa system for Indian passport holders. The Economic Times (Dec 9, 2024)
  • Visa-required nationals onboard cruise ship vessels arriving in the Philippines will now be able to secure entry visas faster and more conveniently. Department of Tourism (Jun 16, 2024)
Destination Headlines:
  • Changi Airport ranked world’s fourth-busiest international airport in 2024. The Straits Times (Jan 16)
Travel Updates: 
  • The ultra-luxurious Raffles Sentosa Singapore will open on March 1, 2025. FTN News (Jan 16)
  • Singapore Airlines to resume fourth daily Brisbane service. Business Traveller (Jan 16)
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, 2024)
  • Singaporeans are required to apply for and obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before making a UK trip from Jan 8, 2025. The Straits Times (Jan 8)
Destination Headlines:
  • Pet tourism spurs 20% spending boost in Thailand's Central provinces. Khaosod (Jan 17)
  • Thai airports brace for 4 million travellers over Chinese New Year. The Nation (Jan 16)
Travel Updates: 
  • Thailand launches app to protect tourists from human trafficking. Travel Weekly Asia (Jan 20)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Thailand has made its electronic visa system globally accessible as of January 1, 2025. Eligible travellers can apply online, reducing administrative hurdles. TAT Newsroom (Jan 1)
  • Thailand has decided to ease rules for long-term visa applicants, scrapping the minimum income requirement and four family members cap for digital nomads and other professionals. VisaGuide (Jan 15)
Destination Headlines:
  • Lunar New Year 2025: Int'l searches for hotels in Vietnam up by 139%. Vietnam Plus (Jan 20)
  • Vietnam sets ambitious target of 23 million tourists in 2025. Travel Weekly Asia (Jan 15)
Travel Updates: 
  • Vietnam scraps visa requirements for Poland, Czech, Switzerland. Visa Guide (Jan 16)
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, 2024)
  • Starting on March 1, 2025, the Vietnamese government will allow Polish, Czech, and Swiss citizens to enter the country visa-free for 45 days. VisaGuide (Jan 16)
South Asia
Destination Headlines:
  • Bhutan's Haa is among BBC’s top 25 travel destinations for 2025. Kuensel Online (Jan 18)
  • Ed Sheeran’s historic concert in Bhutan almost sold out. Deccan Chronicle (Jan 20)
Travel Updates: 
  • Direct flights between Bhutan and Hong Kong SAR will launch on January 27. Tatler Asia (Jan 14)
 Travel Policy Updates: 
  • The mandatory requirement of travel insurances for visitors to Bhutan since COVID - 19 has been lifted with immediate effect on the process of visa application. Department of Tourism (Apr 23, 2024)
Destination Headlines:
  • Goa’s tourism sector performing better than national average: Minister. Hospitality Biz India (Jan 17)
  • Religious tourism accounts for 60% of domestic travel, UP a key hub. Times of India (Jan 18)
Travel Updates: 
  • FHRAI expects reforms from Budget 2025-26 to boost hospitality and tourism sector. Travel Daily Media (Jan 20)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • The Indian government has launched two special visas for international students: the e-student visa for students and the e-student-x visa for their dependents. Applicants must register on the 'Study in India' portal to apply for these visas, enabling them to pursue higher education in India. Live Mint (Jan 5)
Destination Headlines:
  • Sri Lanka woos over 112,000 tourists in first two weeks of 2025. Daily FT (Jan 20)
Travel Updates: 
  • Sri Lanka ranked 9th best destination to travel in 2025 in BBC’s first-ever travel guide. Daily Mirror (Jan 18)
 Travel Policy Updates: 
  • No free visas for tourists from 35 countries for the time being, and travellers wishing to visit Sri Lanka must still comply with the requirement to obtain, and pay for, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to arrival. VisaNews (Oct 1, 2024)
  • With effect from September 27, 2024, all Tourist or Business travellers to Sri Lanka can have ETA for entering in to Sri Lanka.

    The particular visa-free regime applies to seven nominated countries (China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan) and the rest of the countries may follow the general rules and regulations applicable to Sri Lanka ETA. Department of Immigration and Emigration
The Pacific
Destination Headlines:
  • Western Australia named one of the top 'places to travel this year' by the BBC. 9Travel (Jan 20)
Travel Updates: 
  • Hong Kong Airlines revives its route to Australia’s Gold Coast. Travel Daily Media (Jan 20)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • From January 1, 2025, applicants for Australian student visas are required to include a “Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)” in order to verify their enrollment in a registered course at an educational institution in Australia. VisaGuide (Jan 6)
  • Australians are required to apply and obtain ETA to visit the UK, per Jan 8, 2025. Executive Traveller (Jan 8)
Destination Headlines:
  • Northern Marianas' tourism body boss resigns. RNZ (Jan 17)
Travel Updates: 
  • New CNMI-Guam airline, which plans to invest some $8.2M, gets tax breaks approval. Pacific Daily News (Jan 18)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Travellers need a valid passport from an eligible country and must complete the online ETA application once they book their travel or at least seven days before they depart for Guam or the CNMI. 
    A new eTA must be obtained if the traveller is issued a new passport, changes their name, gender, or country of citizenship, or if their previous responses to the eligibility questions on Form I-736 change
    The G-CNMI VWP allows eligible citizens from 12 countries to travel to Guam and/or the CNMI without the need for a physical visa. Travellers must present a round-trip ticket and aconfirmed departure date not exceeding 45 days from the date of admission to be considered eligible. But if passports that expire in six months or less will not receive an approved eTA. The Marianas
Destination Headlines:
  • Fiscal year-to-date arrivals at 42% of pre-pandemic levels. Pacific Daily News (Jan 20)
  • Perez: 14 applied to become GVB head, record number of applications. Pacific Daily News (Jan 16)
Destination Headlines:
  • Palau signs host agreement for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner. Travel and Tour World (Jan 19)
Destination Headlines:
Americas
Destination Headlines:
  • Canadians less likely to travel to US with Trump in office: poll. CTV News (Jan 17)
Travel Updates: 
  • Air Canada’s restored Vancouver-Beijing service takes off. Pax News (Jan 17)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • IRCC extended the temporary public policy allowing for open work permits to be issued to applicants applying for PR, under the temporary resident to permanent resident pathways (TR to PR pathway), as per Dec 17 2024. CIC News (Jan 11)
Destination Headlines:
  • US travel agencies set new record with $99.2 billion in air ticket sales for 2024. Travel Market Report (Jan 17)
Travel Updates: 
  • Tourists urged to ‘plan a trip’ to support Los Angeles wildfire recovery. Travel Weekly (Jan 21)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • USCIS will implement major changes to Form I-129, “Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker,” on January 17, 2025. The updated form, now 38 pages, introduces stricter documentation requirements for employment-based visas like H-1B and L-1. Boundless (Jan 5)
  • USA has designated Romania as a participating country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). System will be updated on or around March 31, 2025, to allow most citizens and nationals of Romania to apply to travel to the United States under the VWP for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa. US Homeland Security (Jan 10)
Europe, West Asia, Africa
Destination Headlines:
  • Purple Elephant Ventures secures $4.5M seed round, setting record in Kenya’s tourism-tech scene. Venture Burn (Jan 15)
  • Kenya targets 200,000 adventure tourists in five years. Xinhua (Jan 15)
Travel Updates: 
  • Kenya Airways announces resumption of flights to Heathrow, London. The Kenya Times (Jan 16)
  • Nairobi recognised as 5th Best City in Africa in Travellers' Choice Award. Tuko (Jan 18)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Following the launch of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for transit travellers with long connections, transit passengers with a long connection in Nairobi will be able to leave Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and visit the city. VisaNews (Oct 2, 2024)
Destination Headlines:
  • Saudi domestic tourism thriving, proving it was no COVID-19 ‘blip’: Almosafer CEO. Arab News (Jan 9)
  • New expansion increases Riyadh airport’s capacity to 7M passengers. Arab News (Jan 9)
Travel Updates: 
  • Polio vaccination certificate prerequisite for travel to Saudi Arabia. The News (Jan 9)
  • Saudi Arabia's Flyadeal launches five new routes. ZAWYA (Jan 9)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • The holders of diplomatic, special and service passports of Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be exempted from visa requirements for short-term visits. Azertac (Nov 29, 2024)
  • Saudi Arabia has mandated the meningitis vaccine for all visitors, requiring proof of vaccination for entry into the Kingdom. Vaccine certificate must be issued at least 10 days before the travel date. Travel & Tour World (Jan 11)
Destination Headlines:
  • Hotelbeds' parent plans to IPO in Spain at a $5.1 billion valuation. Skift (Jan 16)
  • Spain sets new record with 94 million international visitors in 2024. Travel Pulse (Jan 15)
Travel Updates: Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Spain will end its Golden Visa Program. Wealthy foreign nationals will be eligible to apply only until April 3, 2025. See full legislation. Economic Times (Jan 9)
  • The Spanish Council of Ministers approved a new Immigration Regulation to improve the integration of foreign citizens through three key areas: work, education, and family. European Commission (Nov 21, 2024)
Destination Headlines:
  • Ras Al Khaimah celebrates record-breaking tourism year in 2024. Urdu Point (Jan 15)
Travel Updates: 
  • Wizz Air Abu Dhabi achieves 20% year on year growth. TTN Worldwide (Jan 28)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Dubai's Emigration Department has tightened the conditions for tourist visas to streamline the application process and improve security. Travellers will now be required to provide proof of their confirmed hotel bookings, along with return flight tickets to obtain a tourist visa. Times of India (Nov 23, 2024)
  • New golden visa scheme announced for private school educators in Ras Al Khaimah. It grants a 10-year, self-sponsored residency to eligible professionals who meet the set criteria, enabling them to enjoy stability and focus on their professional contributions. ICP Smart Services (Nov 15, 2024)
See All Destinations' Updates
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