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).
JTB forecasts that Japanese travelers will reduce by 7% during this coming Golden Week holiday period, despite a 10% increase in outbound travellers. Travel Voice Japan (Apr 7)
Travel Updates:
Waldorf Astoria makes elegant debut In Osaka as Japan’s first flagship. Travel and Tour World(Apr 3)
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)
Korean consumers lead Asia Pacific in travel expenditure, influencing credit card market. Business Korea(Apr 7)
Travel Updates:
Gyeonggi to open full DMZ Peace Trail programme from April 18. Korea JoongAng Daily(Apr 3)
Travel Policy Updates:
Korea (ROK) launched its "Top-Tier" Visa programme on April 2, 2025 aimed at attracting top talent to Korea (ROK). Visa Guide (Apr 3)
Korea (ROK) will temporarily abolish visa requirements for Chinese tourist groups, taking effect in Q3 2025 to boost the tourism industry. Visa Guide (Mar 20)
Macao welcomes 408 thousand visitors over Qing Ming extended weekend. Macau Business (Apr 7)
Travel Updates:
“Macao-Madrid” cargo charter route launched in Macao. Plataforma (Apr 3)
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)
Cambodia's famed Angkor attracts almost 400,000 foreign tourists in Q1. Xinhua (Apr 3)
Cambodia wins Asia Pacific Best Golf Destination of The Year Award. Khmer Times (Apr 7)
Travel Updates:
Cambodia Airways launches Phnom Penh–Hong Kong SAR route. Travel Daily News (Apr 3)
Travel Policy Updates:
From January 1, 2025, Cambodia has lowered the cost of its electronic visas. Tourist e-Visas now cost $30, down from $36; Business e-Visas are reduced to $35, down from $42. India Today(Jan 3)
Indonesia hotels diversify to offset government business decline. TTG Asia (Apr 7)
Travel Updates:
New Jeddha-Denpasar and Banngkok-Bali flight routes announced. The Bali Sun (Apr 6)
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)
A quieter Raya this year, say tourism players in Malaysia. Asia News Network (Apr 4)
Malaysia aims to generate US$2.7B in medical tourism revenue by 2030. CNA (Apr 3)
Travel Updates:
FitsAir launches direct Colombo–Kuala Lumpur flights. Travel Daily News (Apr 7)
Tourism Malaysia and Winning Moves to produce Kuala Lumpur edition of MONOPOLY. Travel Daily Media (Apr 7)
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)
Lady Gaga's Singapore tour drives surge in interest from Indian travellers. Skift (Apr 2)
Travel Updates:
New audio tour brings Singapore’s Dempsey Hill heritage to life. TTG Asia(Apr 8)
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)
Agoda reveals the top international markets exploring travelling to Thailand for Songkran this year, with Malaysia leading the list. TTR Weekly (Apr 8)
Thailand's 'half-price travel' scheme revamped to boost regional tourism. The Nation (Apr 4)
Travel Updates:
Thailand digital arrival card system set to launch on May 1, 2025. TAT Newsroom (Apr 4)
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 plans to reduce visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days to curb illegal business activities by foreigners. VisaGuide (Mar 17)
Vietnam welcomes over 6 million foreign tourists in first 3 months. The Nation (Apr 7)
Vietnam proposes new 10-year Golden Visa. IMI Daily (Apr 5)
Travel Updates:
Vietnam to relax tourist visa rules after Belgium's state visit. The Brussels Times (Apr 4)
Vietjet unveils direct routes from Singapore to Phu Quoc. Travel + Leisure (Apr 7)
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)
Arunachal Pradesh rolls out new tourism policy and branding initiative. TTG Asia(Apr 4)
Travel Updates:
UP sets target to complete 156 pending tourism projects by Dec 2025. Travel Trends Today (Apr 7)
IRCTC to launch budget flight packages to pilgrim centres from Kerala. The New Indian Express (Apr 3)
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)
Pakistan International Airlines plans to resume direct flights to Baku. APA (Apr 8)
Over 416,000 tourists flock to Swat during Eid holidays. Samaa (Apr 5)
Travel Updates:
Pakistan Hajj flights 2025 to begin from April 29. Pakistan Today (Apr 7)
Travel Policy Updates:
Sikh pilgrims from the US, UK and Canada will receive free online visas processed within 30 minutes upon arrival in the country to pay respect to their religious sites. Business Standard (Nov 2)
Brisbane breaks business travel record as global conferences head to the city. CMW(Apr 3)
Sydney Airport prepares to welcome 2.5 million passengers for Easter. Travel Weekly(Apr 8)
Travel Updates:
One quarter of Australians planning an extended Easter break: NRMA. Fast News (Apr 7)
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)
Guam Visitors Bureau welcomes new President & CEO. eTurboNews(Apr 7)
Travel Updates:
United Airlines, Tigerair Taiwan launch flights to Guam, Oita. Focus Taiwan (Apr 2)
Travel Policy Updates:
Starting November 30, 2024, registration for the Guam-CNMI Electronic Travel Authorization (Guam-CNMI ETA) will be required for entry into Guam if you are a national of Korea (ROK), Japan, Singapore, Australia, or other participating countries and do not possess a U.S. visa or an ESTA. Paper-based “I-736” will no longer be valid for entry into Guam. GuamReef
Travel Manitoba gets $4.5M funding boost to promote province as travel destination. CBC (Apr 7)
Travel Updates:
Air Canada’s Manila-Vancouver flights to boost business tourism. Manila Standard(Apr 4)
Travel Policy Updates:
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, 2024)
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)
JSX, FlixBus, and others to offer hassle-free travel from Los Angeles to the Coachella Valley for festival season. News Channel 3(Apr 8)
Travel Policy Updates:
The U.S. Secretary of State has announced that they will begin to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, this change is to begin immediately. US Department of State (Apr 5)
US have paused the process of Romania entering the US Visa Waiver programme until further notice. US DHS (Mar 26)
Foreign tourist arrivals to Bosnia rise 9.9% Y-o-Y in Feb. SeeNews (Apr 7)
Tourism booms in Sarajevo Canton: Steady rise in visitor arrivals and overnight stays. Sarajevo Times (Apr 5)
Travel Updates:
Sarajevo launches first-ever direct flight connection to Spain. Sarajevo Times(Apr 2)
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)
Saudi Arabia's travel account surplus reaches nearly SAR50 billion in 2024. KazInform (Apr 4)
Saudi tourism license applications up 390% after World Cup announcement: vice minister. Arab News (Apr 8)
Travel Updates:
Saudi Arabia limits e-transit visa access to travellers from 18 countries; Hajj and Umrah Ministry warns against unofficial channels for Pilgrims. Gulf News; Saudi Press Agency(Apr 9)
6.8M people travel via four Saudi airports during 2025 Umrah season. ZAWYA(Apr 7)
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)
ATM on track for record attendance as visitor registrations double Y-o-Y. Emirates News Agency (Apr 3)
UAE Tourism generates AED 45B in hotel revenues in 2024. TravelBiz Monitor (Apr 8)
Travel Updates:
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi introduces new non-stop flights to Almaty. Emirates News Agency (Apr 3)
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)
