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Πέμπτη 13 Μαρτίου 2025

Weekly Asia Pacific Snapshot: Korea (ROK) to introduce "Top-Tier" visa; Vietnam exempts visa for 12 countries; 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:
  • China unveils new high-thrust engine for future space travel. China Daily (Mar 11)
  • China's railway passenger trips hit 726 million in first two months. China Daily (Mar 10)
Travel Updates: 
  • Cathay Pacific will roll out direct flights to Urumqi, China starting this April. Lifestyle Asia (Mar 11)
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)
  • Starting Mar 17, 2025, Libyans will be able to apply for Chinese visas online. Visa Guide (Mar 7)
Destination Headlines:
  • Outbound tourist arrivals to rise in 2025, says Taiwan Tourism Administration Director. CNBC TV18 (Mar 5)
  • Chinese Taipei welcomes surging North American tourism in 2024 with record-breaking growth. Travel and Tour World (Mar 9)
Travel Updates: 
  • Sun Moon Lake recognised as green destination at ITB Berlin. Taiwan Today (Mar 6)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • 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:
  • 17 international cruises visit Hong Kong SAR in March. Travel Daily Media (Mar 10)
  • HKTB launches the “Hong Kong Super March” campaign and mega event travel guide campaign. Travel Daily Media (Mar 5)
Travel Updates: 
  • Hong Kong Airport increases departure tax for travellers from October 2025. Lifestyle Asia (Mar 5)
  • Hong Kong Tourism Board cuts monthly drone and fireworks shows due to budget constraints. Dim Sum Daily (Mar 8)
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)
Destination Headlines:
  • The share of international guests in local regions of Japan rose to 34% in December 2024, higher than the growth in urban areas. Travel Voice Japan (Mar 10)
Travel Updates: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)
Destination Headlines:
Travel Updates: 
  • KTO, Kakao Mobility compiles list of top 10 destinations to travel with a dog this spring. Korea JooAng Daily (Mar 11)
  • Korea (ROK) to launch new  ‘Top-Tier Visa’ to attract top tech & science talent. Visa Guide (Mar 6)
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)
Southeast Asia
Destination Headlines:
  • Indonesia targets 5% GDP contribution from high-value tourism by 2029. Travel Daily News (Mar 11)
Travel Updates: 
  • Dusit expands in Indonesia with new luxury retreat in Labuan Bajo. Travel Daily News (Mar 12)
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)
Destination Headlines:
  • Over five million tourists visited Malaysia under 30-day visa-free policy, says ministry. The Star  (Mar 6)
  • Malaysia records 9.2M air passengers in January, exceeds pre-pandemic January 2019 levels. New Straits Times  (Mar 6)
Travel Updates: 
  • Strong tourism growth anticipated in Langkawi. New Straits Times (Mar 7)
  • Up to 400,000 tourists to visit Malaysia during Ramadan. The Star (Mar 10)
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:
  • Philippines’ tourism revenue surpasses pre-pandemic levels, exceeding $1B in January. Travel Daily News (Mar 10)
  • Mindanao named key farm tourism hub. Daily Tribune (Mar 9)
Travel Updates: 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:
  • Lady Gaga to play four nights in Singapore for her only Asia tour stop. Malay Mail (Mar 10)
  • Singapore residents’ year end and Lunar New Year travel spending hit new highs: Visa. Macau Business (Mar 6)
Travel Updates: 
  • Raffles Sentosa Singapore debuts as the country’s first all-villa Luxury Resort. Business Traveller (Mar 6)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • 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:
  • Phuket leads Thailand in tourism revenue, followed by Pattaya and Samui. Pattaya Mail (Mar 11)
  • Trat tourism booms with record-breaking months, Koh Chang awaits as hotels fill up and visitors arrive in droves. Pattaya Mail (Mar 9)
Travel Updates: 
  • Thailand takes top honours as ‘Best LGBTQ+ Destination’ in Germany. The Nation (Mar 7)
  • Thailand to officially allow sales of alcohol on Buddhist holidays. Travel + Leisure (Mar 11)
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)
Destination Headlines:
  • Vietnam welcomes over 3.9M international arrivals in two months. The Star (Mar 9)
  • Da Nang surpasses Tokyo as most searched city by American tourists: Agoda. VnExpress (Mar 5)
Travel Updates: 
  • Vietnam to waive visas for citizens from 12 countries. VoV (Mar 8)
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)
  • Vietnam applies visa exemption for citizens from 12 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, Korea (ROK), Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland) effective March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028. Vietnam Travel (Mar 8)
South Asia
Destination Headlines:
  • MP Tourism partners with Coca-Cola India to launch 'Project Clean Destination' in Bandhavgarh. The Economic Times (Mar 10)
  • Tourism in border areas revived after ceasefire in J-K: J-K Chief Minister. The Print (Mar 10)
Travel Updates: 
  • Air India to launch direct flights to Manila & Jakarta in 2025. TravelBiz Monitor (Mar 11)
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)
Destination Headlines:
  • Maldives sees 4.9% rise in tourist arrivals, China leads source markets. AVAS (Mar 9)
  • Tourist arrivals figure surpasses 463,000-mark. Raajje (Mar 8)
Travel Updates: 
  • Maldivian to launch flights to Germany. TTR Weekly (Mar 10)
 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, 2024)
Destination Headlines:
  • Sri Lanka records over 500,000 tourist arrivals in first 2 months of 2025. Adaderana (Mar 8)
  • Sri Lanka named a top global travel destination for 2025. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts (Mar 10)
Travel Updates: 
  • Sri Lanka’s first all-women resort: ‘Amba Yaalu’ breaks gender barriers. Mint (Mar 9)
 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. Visa News (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:
  • King-Hinds asks US to assist in rebooting CNMI tourism. Marianas Variety (Mar 9)
Travel Updates:
  • UK, Canada & Singapore passport holders now eligible for visa-on-arrival in Papua New Guinea. Visa Guide (Mar 5)
Destination Headlines:
The Americas
Destination Headlines:
  • PacifiCan announces over $4.8 million in funding to attract more visitors to B.C. and bring B.C. products to more markets around the world. Government of Canada (Mar 5)
  • Montreal local summer tourism expected to rise amid U.S. tensions. CityNews (Mar 5)
Travel Updates: 
  • Air Canada restores Toronto-Tel Aviv flights, reinforcing Canada-Israel links. Travel and Tour World (Mar 9)
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)
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has temporarily stopped accepting new applications from groups of five and community sponsors under the PSR Program as of November 29, 2024. This pause will remain in effect until December 31, 2025. Government of Canada (Nov 29)
Destination Headlines:
  • Delta cuts profit forecast as US economic uncertainty hits travel. Reuters (Mar 11)
  • Canadian leisure travel to U.S. down 40% in February, Flight Centre says. Global News (Mar 6)
Travel Updates: 
  • New Trump travel ban could bar Afghans, Pakistanis soon, sources say. Reuters (Mar 7)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • USA plans to unveil Golden Visa Program initiative, offering residency in exchange for investments of $5 million each, replacing the current EB-5 investor visa programme. VisaGuide (Feb 26)
  • US ‘Dropbox’ Visa Interview Waiver has been slashed from 48 months to just 12 months, expecting increase wait times while creating potential disruptions for those planning travel to the US. Travel State Gov (Feb 18)
Europe, West Asia, Africa
Destination Headlines:
  • Sarajevo airport passenger traffic up 40% Y-o-Y in Feb. SeeNews (Mar 6)
  • Foreign tourist visits to Bosnia up 16% Y-o-Y in Jan. SeeNews (Mar 6)
Travel Updates: 
  • Flyadeal to fly to Sarajevo this summer. ZAWYA (Mar 7)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Starting January 1, 2025, Kosovo will unilaterally allow free movement for holders of identification cards from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prishtina Insight (Oct 14, 2024)
Destination Headlines:
  • Saudi Tourism Ministry: Licensed hospitality facilities surge by 80% in Makkah. Economy Middle East (Feb 19)
Travel Updates: 
  • Saudi Air Connectivity Program introduces direct flights from Stuttgart to Jeddah. Economy Middle East (Mar 6)
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)
Destination Headlines:
Travel Updates: 
  • Spain introduces 12 'residents-only' zones. Echo (Mar 7)
Travel Policy Updates: 
Destination Headlines:
  • Eid Al Fitr 2025: UAE travel trends revealed as air fares and hotel costs surge 15-30%. Arabian Business (Mar 10)
  • Ras Al Khaimah strengthens tourism ties with China through Trip.com partnership. BW Hotelier (Mar 8)
Travel Updates: 
  • DCT, Etihad Airways' new Abu Dhabi Pass to include 10GB tourist SIM card. Gulf News (Mar 6)
  • China Eastern Airlines to launch first direct Shanghai-Abu Dhabi flights in April 2025. Aviation Business (Mar 6)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • UAE has launched the first phase of the Blue Visa Program, a new long-term visa dedicated to sustainability and environmental action professionals, offering a ten-year residency. UAE Govt (Mar 4)
  • UAE expands visa-on-arrival facility for Indian travellers with valid visas, residence permits, or Green Cards from Singapore, Japan, Korea (ROK), Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, complimenting previous policy that only allows valid documentation from USA, EU member states, and the UK. NDTV (Feb 17)
See All Destinations' Updates


Tags: PATA

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