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Τετάρτη 14 Μαΐου 2025

Weekly Asia Pacific Snapshot: Bhutan launch world's first tourism crypto payment; Vietnam launch 10-year Golden Visa; 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:
  • Chinese tourists prioritise unique experiences over shopping in travel shift. Chosun Biz (May 11)
  • Over 6,000 international flights boost inbound tourism to China in 2025. ECNS (May 12)
Travel Updates: 
  • Emirates to launch daily direct flights between Dubai and Hangzhou. China Travel News (May 8)
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:
  • Hong Kong SAR's 'golden week' tourist numbers rise by better-than-expected 22%. Bangkok Post (May 11)
Travel Updates: 
  • HKSAR passport holders to enjoy 30-day visa-free access to Qatar. The Standard (May 12)
  • HKTB to launch real-time tourism map with AI itinerary planner next year. The Standard (May 10)
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:
  • Japan granted over 7.1 million visas in 2024. Visa Guide (May 12)
  • Japan's tourism trade surplus surges 58%, topping patent royalties. Nikkei Asia (May 13)
Travel Updates:
  • Japan’s Hankyu Travel International to charter Ponant’s Le Jacques-Cartier. Seatrade Cruise News (May 12)
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: 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)
Destination Headlines:
  • Hunnu Air launches E195-E2 flights from Mongolia to China. Travel Daily News (May 13)
Travel Updates: 
  • Direct Tokyo-Ulaanbaatar flight route launched. KazInform (May 7)
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:
  • Agoda & Ministry of Tourism Indonesia partner to achieve goals of vision 'Tourism 4'. Asia Business Outlook (May 12)
Travel Updates: 
  • TransNusa officially opens direct flights from Shanghai to Manado. Indonesia Expat (May 8)
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:
  • Tourism Ministry in talks with airlines to boost Saudi Arabia-Malaysia direct flights. Dayak Daily (May 8)
Travel Updates: 
  • Tourists visiting Malaysia can now sign up for TNG eWallet to make QR payments. The Star (May 8)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Malaysia and China have agreed to further extend the visa-free agreement for five years until 2031; implementation of the extension will come into effect soon. Embassy of PRC in Malaysia (May 6)
  • Citizens of Kosovo can now visit Malaysia for stays of up to 30 days visa exempt. Visa Guide (Apr 25)
Destination Headlines:
  • Philippine visitor numbers fall slightly in first four months of the year. Focus Asia Pacific (May 12)
  • Alaska Airlines exploring codesharing agreement with Philippine Airlines. Pacific Business News (May 7)
Travel Updates: 
  • AirAsia Philippines issues flight disruption advisory due to Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption. AirAsia (May 13)
  • DOT: 11 Philippine hotels now part of MICHELIN Guide roster. Manila Bulletin (May 10)
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:
  • Singapore hotel figures slip in Q1, with main drags in March; visitor arrivals steady. The Straits Times (May 8)
Travel Updates: 
  • Singapore's Changi voted world's second best family-friendly airport. VnExpress (May 12)
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:
  • Thailand to inject 3.5 billion baht to boost tourism, with focus on domestic travellers and Chinese market. Pattaya Mail (May 12)
  • TAT to cut foreign arrival target below 37 million amid tourism slump. The Nation (May 9)
Travel Updates: 
  • Thailand lifts alcohol ban on five Buddhist holidays at airports and hotels, boosting tourism appeal. Retail News Asia (May 11)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) launched on May 1, 2025 to replace the paper-based arrival card given to international visitors to Thailand. Thailand Immigration Bureau (May 1)
  • Thailand plans to reduce visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days to curb illegal business activities by foreigners. Visa Guide (Mar 17)
Destination Headlines:
  • Vietnam leads in SEA tourism search growth, ranks 7th globally. VnExpress (May 8)
Travel Updates: 
  • Vietnam launches 10-year golden visa to boost tourism and investment. The Nation (May 8)
  • Vietnam Airlines resumes direct Hanoi-Moscow service. Vietnam Investment Review (May 9)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Vietnam has launched a ten year golden visa to attract tourism and investment. The Nation (May 8)
  • 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:
  • Bhutan launches world's first national crypto payment system for tourism sector. Travel Daily News (May 8)
Travel Updates: 
  • Bhutan's eco-tourism push gains ground with focus on women and community empowerment. Kuensel Online (May 12)
 Travel Policy Updates: 
  • All visitors require a visa before travelling to Bhutan except those from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives. Department of Tourism
Destination Headlines:
  • Tourism takes direct hit, 90% bookings for Northern India cancelled. The Times of India (May 10)
  • Goa witnesses 10.5% surge in tourist arrivals. Indulge Express (May 12)
Travel Updates: 
  • Indian airports resume operations as tensions with Pakistan ease. Skift (May 12)
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:
  • Airspace restrictions soften as Pakistan reopens travel following ceasefire. AeroTime (May 11)
Travel Updates: 
  • Iran, Pakistan to draft MoU in tourism field: minister. Tehran Times (May 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, 2024)
The Pacific
Destination Headlines:
Travel Updates: 
  • Perth developer proposes $15M tourism precinct along WA's Cape to Cape track. ABC News (May 12)
 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)
Destination Headlines:
  • Hawaii's accommodations tax will apply to cruise lines. Travel Weekly (May 9)
Travel Updates: 
  • Hawaiian Airlines unveils 'Lilo & Stitch' livery. Travel Weekly (May 10)
 Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Attendees of the 2025 ISMRM & ISMRT Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Honolulu, Hawai’i are encouraged to use 2025 ISMRM & ISMRT Annual Meeting invitation letter form to assist with attaining a visa to travel to Honolulu, Hawai’i. ISMRM (Oct 11, 2024)
Destination Headlines:
Destination Headlines:
Destination Headlines:
  • Fiji and Tonga forge stronger ties. FBC News (May 13)
The Americas
Destination Headlines:
  • Air Canada posts Q1 loss amid US travel decline & rising costs. Travel Pulse (May 9)
  • Statistics hint at surge in domestic tourism in B.C. as Canadians avoid US travel. Vancouver Sun (May 9)
Travel Updates: 
  • Delta, Air France-KLM, Korean Air to invest in WestJet. Travel Weekly (May 9)
  • Tourism trends shift as Canada gains popularity with travellers. The Star (May 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)
  • 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)
Destination Headlines:
  • Expedia feels pinch of drop in inbound US travel, Canada bookings fall 30% in Q1. PhocusWire (May 8)
  • US visits from Europe rebounded in April after sharp drop. Skift (May 13)
Travel Updates: 
  • Several conferences relocate north of the border as Canadians refuse to travel to the US. CBC (May 12)
  • California, upstate NY offering tourism deals to lure visitors back. CityNews Vancouver; CBC (May 10)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • DHS has rescined Romania's designation into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). USDHS (May 2)
  • 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. Visa Guide (Apr 7)
Europe, West Asia, Africa
Destination Headlines:
  • German events market is becoming larger and more international with increasing in-person attendance. Travel Daily News (May 8)
Travel Updates: 
  • KlasJet expands presence in Germany with Berlin and Cologne bases. Travel Daily News (May 8)
  • Germany to abolish remonstration procedure for visa rejections from July 2025. Travel Trade Journal (May 13)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • National visa procedure is going digital. The Consular Services Portal is being launched worldwide on 1 January 2025, enabling people around the world to submit applications for German visas online. Federal Foreign Office (Jan 6)
  • Third-country nationals require a visa to enter Germany. The short-stay Schengen visa allows its holders to enter and reside in Germany for a maximum period of 90 days within a 180-day period. For stays of up to 90 days, visitors apply for a Schengen visa, and for longer stays, visitors apply for a national visa. Visitors may apply for a Schengen visa from between six months and generally no later than 15 days before their planned trip

    *Starting from May 2025, visitors will be required to apply for ETIAS to enter Germany. German Federal Foreign Office (Apr 28)
Destination Headlines:
  • Kenya’s tourism sector posts growth in 2024 as visitor numbers, stay duration rise. KBC (May 11)
Travel Updates: 
  • Kenya to begin registering foreigners for travel health insurance under SHA. KATA (May 11)
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 21)
Destination Headlines:
Travel Updates: 
  • Saudi Arabia adds over 1,000 hotel keys as summit opens with major deals. Breaking Travel News (May 12)
  • Radisson Hotel Group partners with Saudi Tourism Authority. Business Traveller (May 9)
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:
  • Disney theme park for United Arab Emirates next, with plans for Abu Dhabi site unveiled. SCMP (May 8)
Travel Updates: 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 lifts travel ban on travel to Lebanon for UAE nationals. They will need to register with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Twajudi service before departure. UAE MoFA (May 4)
See All Destinations' Updates

 

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