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).
Iran’s largest airline to resume select China flights. China Travel News (Jun 21)
Travel Policy Updates:
China grants free 10 day visa-free transition to Indonesian nationals. Additionally, this policy will apply to a further 55 countries. VisaGuide(Jun 12)
China has launched ASEAN visa for ASEAN member states and its observer Timor-Leste. It offers five-year multiple-entry visas for individuals and their family whose purpose is business enabling a maximum stay of 180 days. Ministry of Foreign Affairs The People's Republic of China(Jun 3)
Japanese government aims to triple food consumption in Japan by inbound travellers to 4.5 trillion yen a year by 2030. Travel Voice Japan (Jun 18)
Visitors to Japan hit May record as Chinese arrivals jump 45%; Koreans drive Japan travel boom with record visits and high spending. Nikkei Asia; The Chosun Daily (Jun 23)
Travel Updates:
New Marriott hotel set to open in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture autumn 2026. Travel Weekly Asia(Jun 23)
Travel Policy Updates:
Japan will begin pre-arrival screening of visa-free travellers starting in FY 2028. VisaGuide (May 19)
Starting July 1, 2025 nationals of Peru will be able to visit Japan visa-free for short-term stays not greater than 90 consecutive days. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (Jun 2)
Mongolia, Russia drive surge in Korea (ROK)'s medical tourism. The Chosun Daily(Jun 23)
Travel Updates:
T’way Air now offers direct flights to Jeju Island from Singapore. Prestige Online(Jun 23)
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 25.3% surge in visitor arrivals in May 2025. AGB (Jun 23)
Macao passes bill to regulate tour guides and agencies, effective next Feb. Macau Business (Jun 20)
Travel Updates:
Macao makes its debut on the Global Muslim Travel Index. The Macao News (Jun 23)
Travel Policy Updates:
Nationals of Saudia Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman will be exempted from visa requirements. This policy will begin July 16, 2025. Macau Daily Times(Jun 17)
Foreign visitors entering Macao via H-Z-M bridge are allowed to go through immigration without needing to leave their vehicle, if they are from visa-free countries with a valid passport. Macau Business(Jun 11)
Cambodia records 2.95M int’l tourists in January-May period. Khmer Times (Jun 21)
Travel Updates:
Foreign tourists among those banned by Thailand from travelling to Cambodia to gamble. IAG(Jun 24)
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)
Flights resume after volcanic eruption causes cancellations and delays. Euro News (Jun 18)
Travel Updates:
Changi Airport Group exploring possible new flights to Semarang, Palembang, Belitung in Indonesia. The Straits Times (Jun 23)
Travel Policy Updates:
Indonesia has updated their extension process for tourist and long-stay foreign nationals in Indonesia to require an online registration followed by an in-person interview. Bali Legals Group (May 29)
Indonesia has relaxed its multiple-entry visa protocols allowing for foreign nationals to extend their stay two times at 60 days each. This will allow people to stay for 180 days from the time of entry into Indonesia. Directorate General of Immigration (May 15)
Malaysia tops Southeast Asia tourism rankings in Q1, receipt up 22% to RM29.4 billion. The Nation; Business Today (Jun 21)
Sabah tourism created 380,000 jobs: Hajiji. Daily Express (Jun 20)
Travel Updates:
Malaysia Mega Sale 2025 kicks off with midnight deals and cultural delights. Business Today (Jun 20)
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)
PAL cancels flights to Middle East. Inquirer.net(Jun 24)
Travel Policy Updates:
Taiwanese tourists may enter the Philippines visa-free for 14 days starting July 1. For those intending to visit the Philippines for more than 14 days or for purposes other than tourism, visa is still required. Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan (Jun 19)
Nationals of India are able to enter the Philippines visa free for 14 days solely for tourism. They can not extend or convert to a different visa if they enter on the visa free scheme. Visa Guide (May 29)
Thailand launches 'LOCO(AL) Working Space' campaign targeting digital nomads. Travel Daily Media (Jun 23)
Thailand records 4.24% drop in foreign visitors. Bangkok Post (Jun 24)
Travel Updates:
Visa and TAT launch Visa Thailand Grand Sale 2025. Travel Daily News (Jun 20)
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 now requires proof of sufficient funds of foreign bank statement of at least 20,000 THB (600 USD$) or a letter of gurantee of said amount for tourist visa. Pattaya Mail (Mar 18)
Vietnam sees record tourists with 21% surge in first 5 months of 2025. TravelBiz Monitor (Jun 23)
Tay Ninh sees strong tourism growth with 3.2 million arrivals; Korean tourists to Sa Pa surge 333% Y-o-Y. Vietnam Plus; VoV (Jun 23)
Travel Updates:
Work starts on US $1.7 billion tourism complex in Da Nang. Vietnam Plus (Jun 23)
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)
Normalcy returned, tourism thriving in J&K: Jitendra Singh. The Kashmir Images(Jun 23)
Over 27L foreign tourists came to Bengal in first half of 2025; ranks third among foreign tourists' fave Indian destinations. Millenium Post; TImes of India(Jun 20)
Travel Updates:
16 parks and tourist spots reopen in Kashmir. India Today (Jun 18)
India extends airspace ban for Pakistan airlines till July 24. Travel Trade Journal (Jun 23)
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)
Nepali citizens travelling through tour package and the members/employees of legal entities/organisations travelling to the gulf countries and Malaysia have to take approval from department of immigration prior their visit. DFA (Oct 3, 2024)
Skardu Airport handles 14 flights in a day amid influx of tourists. ProPakistani (Jun 19)
GB sets record by approving 469 mountaineering permits in a day. The News (Jun 23)
Travel Updates:
Pakistan extends airspace ban for Indian airlines until Jul 24. Gulf News (Jun 23)
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)
Aussie sport tourism driving wins on and off the field. Airbnb(Jun 23)
Virgin Australia begins trading on the ASX. Virgin Australia(Jun 23)
Travel Updates:
Hong Kong Airlines' daily flight touch down in Sydney. Travel Daily News (Jun 24)
Travel Policy Updates:
Nationals of China travelling to New Zealand from Australia, who have valid Australian visitor, work, student, or family visa can visit New Zealand for up to three months under NZeTA. The visa-waiver programme is being trialled for 12 months before a more definite decision is made. Global Times (Jun 15)
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)
Canada's competition bureau wants to open domestic routes to foreign airlines. Travel Weekly(Jun 20)
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)
US issues worldwide travel alert for Americans. Travel Weekly (Jun 23)
Transatlantic airfares slump as Western Europeans skip US travel over Trump. Reuters (Jun 18)
Travel Updates:
Los Angeles Tourism unveils digital trade hub for Indian travel professionals. The Economic Times(Jun 23)
Travel Policy Updates:
DHS has rescined Romania's designation into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). USDHS (May 2)
Any nationals from the following 12 countries have been banned from entering the USA, they are: Afganistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The White House (Jun 4)
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi starts direct flights to Gabala. ZAWYA(Jun 19)
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)
Saudi Summer 2025 tourism campaign targets $19.5B spend and 41M visitors. Arabian Business (Jun 20)
Madinah’s tourism sector posts 18.7% growth as visitor numbers surge to 18 million. Economy Middle East (Jun 24)
Travel Updates:
Saudi Tourism Authority launches direct Kuwait–Aseer Flights via Jazeera Airways. Saudi Press Agency(Jun 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)
UAE hits 94.8% safety score and 24% tourist growth from Asia. WiT (Jun 19)
UAE hotel occupancy hits 81.3% in Q1 2025; Ras Al Khaimah’s hotel inventory expected to increase from 8,321 to 15,798 keys by 2030. Dubai Chronicle; Khaleej Times (Jun 23)
Travel Updates:
GCC tourist visa officially approved, launch expected soon. Visa Guide(Jun 18)
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi cancels UAE flights until June 30. Gulf News(Jun 24)
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)
