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).
Hoshino Resort launches a new brand for mountain tourism to offer comfortable stay experiences. Travel Voice Japan(Apr 29)
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) sees surge in number of medical tourists. SCMP(May 2)
Jeju Island completes prep to host series of APEC meetings. Korea.net(May 2)
Travel Updates:
Korea Tourism Organisation showcases student edu tourism programme support in Pune. Travel and Tour World(May 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 sees surge in Labour Day holiday visitors, breaking post-pandemic records. The Macao News (May 6)
SJM swings to HK$31 million profit in Q1. Macau Business (Apr 29)
Travel Updates:
Macao offers free transport from Hong Kong SAR for foreign tourists. The Macao News (Apr 30)
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)
Angkor receives over 474,000 foreign tourists in first 4 months. Khmer Times (May 2)
Travel Updates:
Air Cambodia announces Japan flights by year’s end. The Phnom Penh Post (Apr 29)
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)
Smailing Tour DMC launches ‘Roadmap Towards Net Zero’ at Arabian Travel Market 2025. Travel and Tour World (Apr 29)
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)
Penang ranked among top-value global destinations in UK report. Travel Daily News (May 2)
Tourism Malaysia steps up VMY2026 preparations with Langkawi dialogue. New Straits Times (May 4)
Travel Updates:
Tourism Malaysia launches holistic wellness escapes for the ultimate rejuvenation experience. Travel and Tour World (May 6)
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)
Serene Woon appointed as Area Director for Singapore Tourism Board in India, Middle East, and South Asia. Hotelier India (May 6)
Travel Updates:
Hilton to bring NoMad Hotels to Asia with Singapore debut. Skift(May 5)
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)
Thailand welcomes 12.09 million foreign tourists in first 4 months of 2025. The Nation (May 3)
Travel Updates:
Thailand vows to end dual pricing. VnExpress (May 2)
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)
Air travel tops 636,000 passengers in first three days of national holiday. VoV (May 3)
Travel Updates:
Vietjet launches direct daily flight between Hanoi and Shanghai. Travel Daily News (May 5)
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)
India's participation at ATM increases by 30%, driven by regional tourism boards and airlines. Tourism Breaking News(Apr 30)
Partial Kashmir tourist spots closed in security review. Reuters(Apr 29)
Travel Updates:
Air India announces daily Delhi-Gaya flights from September 1, connecting Southeast Asian cities to India’s Buddhist Circuit. Travel Trade Journal (May 3)
Air India announces daily flights between India-Japan. Travel Trends Today (Apr 30)
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)
World Bank sanctions $108M to develop roads, tourism, and women’s access in Pakistan. News X (Apr 29)
Travel Updates:
Airblue launches direct Karachi-Skardu flights to boost Northern tourism. ProPakistani (May 5)
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)
NSW hotels ‘the engine room of nation tourism’, Accommodation Australia reports. Hotel Management(Apr 30)
Tourism Australia targets growth in Asia amid rising arrivals. TTG Asia(May 5)
Travel Updates:
Australian airline Qantas launches new nonstop service to Hawaii. Pacific Business News (May 1)
Australian Tourism Exchange 2026 returns to Adelaide after eight years. Travel Daily News (May 5)
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)
Hawaii passes lodging tax hike to protect environment from climate threats. The Express Tribune(May 5)
Travel Updates:
Hawaiian Airlines to hire 500 more flight attendants this year. Pacific Business News (May 2)
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)
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
Cruise tourism contributes US$21.4 million directly to the Fijian economy - Deputy Prime Minister. Fiji Village(May 2)
Destination Headlines:
French Polynesia announces first-ever international yoga festival. Drift Travel(May 1)
Destination Headlines:
GVB says arrivals still at 42.5% of pre-COVID levels, seeks $30.9M tourism budget for 2026. Pacific Daily News(May 2)
Destination Headlines:
Yap to host 4th Micronesia Expo in July. Marianas Variety(Apr 30)
The Americas
Destination Headlines:
Booking Holdings: Canadian travellers are choosing Mexico over the US. Travel Weekly (Apr 30)
Mérida is the city with the fastest growth in tourism in Mexico. The Yucatan Times (Apr 29)
Travel Updates:
Raffles Hotels & Resorts to debut with Estera East Cape Resort & Residences in Mexico. Travel Daily News(Apr 30)
Formula 1 to race in Mexico City until 2028 with new three-year extension. F1(Apr 30)
Travel Policy Updates:
Since May 6, 2024, Mexico has been requiring all Peruvians to hold a visa in order to be permitted entry to the country. These measures have been taken to slow migration to the US. VisaGuide (May 9)
California is #1 tourism destination in US, data shows. Fox 11(May 5)
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)
Tuzla airport passenger traffic up 54.2% Y-o-Y in Mar. SeeNews (Apr 29)
Strong summer ahead for Sarajevo with new routes and visa waiver boost. EX-YU Aviation (May 4)
Travel Updates:
Bosnia's Federation allocates 9.9M euro to enhance air traffic. SeeNews(May 2)
SalamAir to launch seasonal Sarajevo-Muscat flights. SeeNews(May 2)
Travel Policy Updates:
As of Jan 16, 2025, applications for a Schengen visa from residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be processed by the Swedish Embassy in Skopje, North Macedonia. Migration Sverket (Dec 20, 2024)
Starting January 1, 2025, Kosovo will unilaterally allow free movement for holders of identification cards from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prishtina Insight (Oct 14, 2024)
UAE tourists account for 30% of Gulf visitors to Germany: National Tourist Office GCC. ZAWYA (May 1)
Travel Updates:
Messe Berlin opens a subsidiary in India. TTR Weekly (May 1)
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)
Saudi travel bookings surge in early 2025 with growth in regional demand: report. Arab News (Apr 29)
Makkah sees 162% surge in tourist spending during Ramadan, says Visa. Economy Middle East (May 2)
Travel Updates:
Saudi Arabia gains two new UNESCO Global Geopark designations. Prestige(May 2)
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)
UAE airports to receive record 150 million passengers this year, says Sheikh Mohammed. Gulf Today (May 1)
Abu Dhabi eyes 39M annual visitors by 2030, builds on strong Q1 performance. The Economic Times (Apr 29)
Travel Updates:
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Fujairah Adventures join forces to create the UAE's first cross-Emirate adventure experience. ZAWYA(Apr 30)
UAE lifts three-year Lebanon travel ban. The Arab Weekly(May 2)
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)
