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: Korea (ROK) starts e-arrival card; India extends visa-free for Thai; and more
Northeast Asia
Destination Headlines:
Trip.com Group reports 70%+ increase in international platform bookings in Q4. China Travel News (Feb 25)
Chinese take record 9 billion domestic trips during Lunar New Year, Xinhua reports. Reuters (Feb 23)
Travel Updates:
Shanghai rolls out three-year plan to promote tourism. China Daily (Feb 25)
Chengdu's first Hilton hotel sold for USD 69 million. China Travel News (Feb 24)
Travel Policy Updates:
Starting Feb 10, 2025, ASEAN visitors can visit Xishuangbanna, a city in southwestern Yunnan Province, visa free for up to six days. Xinhua(Feb 10)
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)
Peter Lam renamed HKTB chairman as Pang Yiu Kai steps down. Marketing-Interactive (Feb 19)
Travel Updates:
Cathay Pacific rolls out limited-time flight deals from HK to Bangkok, London & more. Lifestyle-Asia (Feb 20)
Travel Policy Updates:
The visa-free period for nationals of Saudi Arabia to visit the HKSAR will be extended from 30 to 90 days, per January 15, 2025. Govt of HK(Jan 14)
Hong Kongers will require an ETA to enter the UK from Jan 8, 2025. Hong Kongers with British National (Overseas) passports will also need an ETA, as will babies and children. HK Free Press(Jan 8)
Jan. foreign visitors to Japan surge 40% to monthly record 3.78M. Kyodo News (Feb 19)
Corporate Japan forecasts record profits on tourism boom and weak yen. Nikkei Asia (Feb 20)
Travel Updates:
Japan welcomes tourists with a major travel upgrade—IC cards return on March 1. Travel and Tour World(Feb 22)
IHG Hotels & Resorts hits 50 open properties milestone in Japan. Travel Daily Media(Feb 19)
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)
Filipino tourists to Japan are advised to file visa applications 2 months before arrival due to rapid increase of visitor numbers. JPN Embassy (Jan 14)
Korea (ROK) welcomes 250K+ Canadian visitors in 2024, forecasts strong 2025. Travel Week(Feb 21)
Travel Updates:
Korea (ROK) introduces e-Arrival card. TTR Weekly(Feb 25)
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)
Visitors entering Korea (ROK) can now complete and submit the newly-launched online arrival card via www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr, three days before arrival. Immigration Korea (Feb 24)
January tourist arrivals jump 27%, reach second-highest month on record. Macau Business (Feb 20)
Travel Updates:
The Luxury Collection debuts Londoner Grand Hotel in Macao. Travel Daily News (Feb 21)
Travel Policy Updates:
Per Jan 1, 2025, permanent residents of Zhuhai City and the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin are able to apply for a "one trip per week" permit for Macao. Under the policy, they can visit Macao once per calendar week, with a maximum stay of seven days per trip. The State Council (Nov 29, 2024)
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)
Myanmar launches visa-free scheme. Citizens of Singapore and Vietnam can visit for up to 30 days, either for tourism or business. Singaporean travelers can enter and exit the country via any port, whether by land, air, or sea. Visitors from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, and Thailand -> enjoy visa-free access for up to 14 days but must use specific entry points. Travel and Tour World(Nov 7, 2024)
Myanmar has announced a visa-on-arrival policy for holders of the Macao Passport, allowing them to apply for a Tourist Visa upon arrival at international airports for a maximum stay of 30 days. This measure is put into use on a trial basis for one year starting from October 21, 2024. GOV.MO(Nov 8, 2024)
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)
Singapore’s January visitor arrivals up 15% Y-o-Y to 1.63 million: tourism board. GGR Asia (Feb 19)
International srrivals set to break records in 2025; Singapore Airlines expects solid demand to continue. Breaking Travel News; Business Traveller (Feb 21)
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)
Louis Vuitton and TAT team up to attract luxury tourists to Bangkok. The Nation (Feb 20)
White Lotus season 3 has 'huge' impact on Thailand tourism after premiere. The Mirror (Feb 18)
Travel Updates:
Thailand to train 100,000 workers English and hospitality skills to tackle tourism labour shortages. Pattaya Mail (Feb 21)
Travel Policy Updates:
Thailand will adopt a new digital immigration system called the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) starting May 1, 2025. This system will replace the paper TM6 form to simplify entry procedures for foreign travellers. Nation Thailand (Feb 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)
Vietnam expected to see a travel boom fuelled by American and Australian tourist searches. TTR Weekly (Feb 24)
Travel Updates:
Two Vietnamese hotels named among Forbes' best in the world. VnExpress (Feb 20)
Travel Policy Updates:
Visa-free travel agreement between Belarus and Vietnam became effective since January 30, 2025. Nationals of both territories are eligible to travel visa-free to each other’s countries for stays that do not surpass 30 days from the date of entry. VisaGuide(Jan 30)
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)
Maryam Nawaz to launch mega tourist project ‘Magnificent Punjab’. Pakistan Observer(Feb 22)
Travel Updates:
India extends visa-free entry for Thai tourists through 2025. Travel + Leisure (Feb 21)
Air India and Lufthansa Group announce significant expansion of codeshare partnership. Travel Daily News (Feb 24)
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)
India has approved a special 30-day visa-free entry for Thai tourists until 31 December 2025, allowing one or two entries and a stay of up to 30 days without any visa fee. Embassy of India, Thailand(Feb 6)
Nepal Airlines, Japan Airlines ink interline deal for global travel connectivity. myRepublica (Feb 20)
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, 2024)
Destination NSW initiative offers to support Aboriginal tourism businesses. Travel Weekly (Feb 24)
Travel Updates:
Solomon Airlines Introduces New Direct Flight from Auckland to Brisbane. Aviation Source News(Feb 21)
Travel Policy Updates:
Australia has introduced new updates to the Second Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417), allowing eligible travellers to extend their stay for an additional 12 months. Travel & Tour World(Feb 23)
UK-Fiji tourist numbers grow as nation achieves record arrivals. Travel Weekly (Feb 21)
Travel Updates:
Cairns-to-Fiji direct flights to commence. Spice News(Feb 20)
Travel Policy Updates:
Visitors need to lodge for their visa or relevant permit prior to purchasing their ticket and boarding the flight to Fiji, they also need a Transit Visa if they are passing through Fiji to their final destination. In addition, visitors need to show travel documents or passport when entering Fiji.
The visa applications can be directly lodged at any Fijian Immigration Department office or through the nearest Fiji High Commission and Embassy offices stationed abroad. This visa is valid for 3 months and can be used for a single journey to Fiji only. It takes 14 working days to process visa applications from the date of receipt by the Visa Officer. Fiji Immigration
Palau showcases new cultural heritage beyond diving with village tours and handicraft workshops. Travel and Tour World(Feb 24)
Destination Headlines:
PNG government announces biggest investment in 52 years for Air Niugini re-fleeting. ABC(Feb 21)
Destination Headlines:
Solomon Islands invests 46M dollar to boost tourism, infrastructure, and sustainability. Travel and Tour World(Feb 24)
Destination Headlines:
Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Kiribati transform their tourism industries with the STEP Project, setting new standards for Pacific sustainable travel. Travel and Tour World(Feb 21)
Europe, West Asia, Africa
Destination Headlines:
Azerbaijan posts over 4% increase in outbound tourist departures. Report News Agency (Feb 25)
Travel Updates:
Passenger rail services between Azerbaijan and Georgia set to resume on May 1. Azer News (Feb 18)
Travel Policy Updates:
Russian nationals entering Azerbaijan under a visa exemption for any purpose (including work, business or tourism) can now only stay up to 90 days, effective per Jan 1, 2025. Mondaq (Jan 8)
Kenya hits record of 2.4M international tourists. Kenya News (Feb 24)
Kenya sees tourism earnings rising 24% to $4.3B this year. Bloomberg (Feb 20)
Travel Updates:
Kenya to introduce multiple-entry e-travel pass for cruise ships. KBC(Feb 23)
Travel Policy Updates:
Kenya to revise visa and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) requirements for passengers arriving at the Port of Mombasa to attract more cruise tourists. Travel and Tour World (Feb 24)
Kenya grant eTA exemptions to all African countries (except Somalia and Libya), allowing visitors a two-month stay. Govt of Kenya (Jan 22)
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahsa records 500% growth in local, international tourists in 2024. Arab News (Feb 19)
Riyadh Season 2025 receives record-breaking 20 million visitors. Middle East Economy (Feb 19)
Travel Updates:
Riyadh Air to launch operations by end of 2025, CEO confirms. Saudi Gazette(Feb 21)
Saudi Arabia’s first luxury train ‘Dream of the Desert’ unveiled for 2026. Metro(Feb 20)
Travel Policy Updates:
Effective February 1, 2025, Saudi Arabia changed visa policy for visitors from 14 countries, issuing only single-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits, and suspending the previous one-year multiple-entry visas indefinitely. Economic Times (Feb 8)
Saudi Arabia scraps meningitis vaccine requirement for Umrah travellers, while polio vaccination is mandatory for Pakistani following surge in cases. Khaleej Times (Feb 6)
