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Τετάρτη 18 Μαρτίου 2026

Weekly Asia Pacific Snapshot: Updates on West Asia; Germany lifts border check with France; and more

 

 
Bahrain:
  • Gulf Air's scheduled services to and from Bahrain International Airport remain temporarily suspended. The airline currently operates temporary commercial flights to and from Bahrain via King Fahad International Airport in Dammam. Gulf Air (Mar 17)
Qatar:
  • Qatar Airways announced in an update that it will operate a revised limited number of flights from March 18 to March 28, 2026. The Peninsula Qatar (Mar 15)
Saudi Arabia:
  • The King Khalid International Airport (RUH) (KKIA) in Riyadh remains open. 
  • Saudia has partially resumed flight operations to and from Dubai, but flights to and from certain destinations will remain cancelled. Time Out Riyadh (Mar 17)
    The UAE:
    • UAE allows expats abroad with expired visas to return without new entry permit from February 28 until March 31. Gulf News (Mar 12)
    • Following the partial reopening of regional airspace, Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule. Emirates (Mar 16)
    • The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has announced the gradual resumption of flights from Dubai International Airport. Time Out Dubai (Mar 16)

    Relevant updates from more destinations within the Asia Pacific region available below.


    Visit Karoo National Park to encounter majestic wildlife in their natural habitat. Journey back in time to the Point of Human Origins at the Pinnacle Point Caves. Glide above the city on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. Sail the water of Cape Whale Coast to catch a glimpse of its marine wildlife. Wander amongst thousands of blooms of Cape Floral Kingdom. Sip award-winning wines and unwind at world-class vineyards.

    All this, in one destination: Western Cape, South Africa >
    Northeast Asia
    Destination Headlines:
    • Gannan targets 60 million tourists by 2030 with tourism push. China Daily (Mar 13)
    • China to see record 9.4B trips in 2026 Spring Festival travel rush. China Daily (Mar 13)
    Travel Updates: 
    • Air China restarts Beijing–Pyongyang route. The Traveler (Mar 14)
    Travel Policy Updates: 
    • Starting from February 17, 2026, Canada and UK ordinary passport holders can be exempted from visa to enter China and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family/friends visit, exchange and transit purposes. The policy will be effective until December 31, 2026. Ministry of Foreign Affairs People's Republic of China (Feb 15, 2026)
    • The unilateral visa-free entry policy has been extended through December 31, 2026. The policy now covers 46 countries, including the newly added Sweden. China Briefing (Nov 3, 2025)
    Destination Headlines:
    • 30% jump in demand for regional holidays among Hongkongers amid Middle East war. SCMP (Mar 16)
    Travel Updates: 
    • Kai Tak Sports Park named Hong Kong’s sole entry on Time’s World’s Greatest Places 2026. The Standard (Mar 14)
    • Hong Kong Airport Terminal 2 set to open in May. Lifestyle Asia (Mar 13)
    • Cathay Pacific’s daily Dubai and Riyadh passenger flights, as well as Cathay Cargo's freighter flights to Dubai and Riyadh, have been cancelled up to and including March 31. Cathay Pacific Airways (Mar 11)
    Travel Policy Updates: 
    • The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR confirmed its pandemic-era reduction in visa fees for travel to mainland China will remain in place for another 12 months, through December 31, 2026. VisaHQ (Jan 14)
    Destination Headlines:
    • Over 1 million Koreans visited Japan early this year, surpassing Jeju travel. The Asia Business Daily (Mar 15)
    • Regional travel in Japan gains popularity as foreign guest nights in Tottori jump nearly 70%. WBOC (Mar 12)
     
    Travel Updates: 
    • Tokyo approves bill to introduce JESTA electronic travel authorisation. Visas News (Mar 11)
    Travel Policy Updates: 
    • The Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA) will require foreign tourists exempt from visa requirements to input entry related information before traveling to Japan. The government plans to implement this new system in fiscal 2028. The Mainichi (Mar 10)
    • From March 2, 2026, walk-in visa submissions will be phased out at VFS Global centres in Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad and Puducherry. VisaHQ (Feb 23)
    Destination Headlines:
    • Seoul rolls out tourism campaign to welcome BTS fans at Gwanghwamun. The Korea Herald (Mar 17)
    Travel Updates: 
    • Korea (ROK) opens automatic passport gates to all EU, Schengen, Canadian travellers. Asia News Network (Mar 18)
    • Korea (ROK) to allow Iranians to overstay visas until conflict eases. The Korea Times (Mar 8)
    Travel Policy Updates: 
    • The Korean Embassy has waived the requirement to submit three months’ worth of bank statements for visa applications to ease visa application requirements for Filipinos. Philippine News Agency (Feb 19)
    Southeast Asia
    Destination Headlines:
    • Ankor Wat welcomes over 14,000 Chinese tourists in the first 2 months of 2026. Khaosod English (Mar 14)
    Travel Updates: 
    • Ratanakiri plans four new border checkpoints with Lao PDR, Vietnam. Khmer Times (Mar 16)
    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)
    • Chinese tourists can visit Cambodia visa free from June 15 to Oct 15 in 2026 for a 14-day stay without requiring any application or fees. The completion of an e-arrival card upon entry is still required. During the pilot period, Chinese tourists can enter Cambodia multiple times. China Daily (Dec 3)
    Destination Headlines:
    • Malaysia expands halal tourism strategy into spa and wellness sector. TTG Asia (Mar 12)
    • Malaysia records 169,877 international flights with 34.2 million seats in 2025. Daily Express (Mar 16)
    Travel Updates: 
     
    Destination Headlines:
    • Christina Frasco steps down as Philippine tourism secretary; to lead initiatives for community resilience, local development. Travel Daily Media; Inquirer.net (Mar 13)
    Travel Updates: 
    • Philippine airlines suspends Mideast flights until March 28. Gulf News (Mar 14)
    • Travel tax abolition bill gets final House nod. Manila Bulletin (Mar 17)
    • InterContinental brand returns to the Philippines with a 212-key hotel in Bonifacio Global City, set to open in 2032. Travel and Tour World (Mar 16)
    Destination Headlines:
    Travel Updates: 
    • Singapore Tourism Board, Scoot unveil campaign reimagining the Merlion. TTG Asia (Mar 12)
    • Singapore Airlines (SIA) has cancelled flights between Singapore and Dubai till March 28 due to the geopolitical situation in the West Asia. Singapore Airlines (Mar 11)
     
    Destination Headlines:
    • Thailand tourism steady despite 4.4% dip amid West Asia conflict; welcomes 7.49 million tourists in early 2026. The Thaiger; Pattaya Mail (Mar 15)
    • Bangkok ranks #8 in Time Out’s World's Best Cities list 2026. Time Out (Mar 11)
    Travel Updates: 
    • Travellers who remain in Thailand with an expired permission to stay and wish to depart the Kingdom will have their overstay fines waived. No penalty payment will be required when exiting Thailand under these circumstances.

      Foreign nationals who wish to remain in Thailand may apply for a temporary stay extension. Each extension may be granted for a period of up to 30 days per permission.

      In cases where the traveller’s permission to stay has already expired, immigration officers will first process the fine settlement in accordance with the law before considering the request for an extension of temporary stay. TAT (Mar 5)
    • Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is offering special accommodation rates in key destinations across the country to support travellers affected by recent flight cancellations due to the current situation in West Asia. TAT (Mar 11)
    Travel Policy Updates: 
    • Thailand has introduced the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) to attract high-quality visitors, digital nomads, and participants in cultural activities. The Government Public Relation Department (Feb 11)
    • Thailand doubles visa-free stay for Indians to 60 days, introduces 30-day extension. VisaHQ (Feb 19)
    Destination Headlines:
    • Vietnamese travellers show strongest AI travel planning interest in Asia: report. Marketech APAC (Mar 16)
    • Vietnam welcomes over 2.2 million international visitors in February. Vietnam Investment Review (Mar 12)
    Travel Updates: 
    • Vietnam's two largest metropolises join list of world's 50 best cities. VnExpress (Mar 13)
    • Vietnam Airlines adds nearly 1,000 seats on Europe flights to work around disruptions. VnExpress (Mar 12)
     
    South Asia
    Destination Headlines:
    • Bhutan introduces webinar series for travel advisors. Travel Weekly (Mar 10)
    Travel Updates: 
    • Taj brand returns to Bhutan. TTR Weekly (Mar 16)
    • Drukair reintroduces Bangkok flights via Guwahati, adds third Singapore frequency from April 2026. Travel Trade Journal (Mar 16)
    Destination Headlines:
    Travel Updates: 
    • Five new entry points opened to travellers holding an e-Visa. Visas News (Mar 16)
    • India resumes flights to Riyadh as Civil Aviation Ministry monitors West Asia air travel. DD News (Mar 12)
    Travel Policy Updates: 
    • India’s e-Tourist Visa scheme now covers 166 countries in 2026, up from 156 a year ago. Under the expanded list, travellers from Kenya, Algeria, Fiji, Uruguay, Armenia, and North Macedonia—among others—can apply online, pay by card and receive an electronic travel authorisation within 72 hours. VisaHQ (Jan 26)
    Destination Headlines:
    • Nepal’s Mountain Lodges of Manang recognised by TIME’s World’s Greatest Places of 2026. Travel and Tour World (Mar 15)
     Travel Policy Updates: 
    The Pacific
    Travel Updates:
    • Motto by Hilton debuts in Australia with Sydney CBD property. Travel Weekly (Mar 16)
    Destination Headline:
    • French Polynesia signs agreement for World’s First “Floating City”. Vocal Media (Mar 16)
    Destination Headlines:
    • Hilton to open a Curio Collection hotel on Kauai. Travel Weekly (Mar 16)
    The Americas
    Destination Headlines:
    • Canadians are still avoiding US travel, but not vice versa: StatCan. Global News (Mar 11)
    Travel Updates: 
    • Due to the military situation in the West Asia, all flights to and from Dubai (DXB) and Tel Aviv (TLV) remain suspended until April 30 and May 2, 2026, respectively. Air Canada (Mar 13)
    Travel Policy Updates: 
    • Travellers can now stay in Canada for longer periods without repeated extensions– typically up to one year when they demonstrate sufficient funds and a clear exit plan. VisaHQ (Jan 6, 2026)
    Destination Headlines:
    • Trump administration restores US Global Entry system after industry backlash. Travel Weekly (Mar 12)
    Travel Updates: 
    • United Airlines issues east coast thunderstorms travel waiver ahead of March 16–17 storm front. VisaHQ (Mar 16)
    Travel Policy Updates: 
    • Beginning January 21, 2026, Bangladeshi nationals approved for new B-1/B-2 visitor visas will have to post a U.S.$15,000 “departure bond” before they can travel to the United States. Only visas issued on or after January 21 will be subject to the bond. VisaHQ (Jan 20, 2026)
    • Passport holders in seven countries (Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia and Turkmenistan) are now required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply to enter the United States. Independent (Jan 5, 2026)
    Europe, West Asia, Africa
    Destination Headlines:
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina to face 20% drop in inbound tourism due to Iran war. Report.az (Mar 10)
    • Sarajevo Airport sees busy February. Ex-Yu Aviation (Mar 10)
    Travel Updates: 
    • Sarajevo expands air connectivity: 41 destinations in the summer flight schedule. Sarajevo Times (Mar 14)
    Destination Headlines:
    • German accommodation sector sees modest growth in January 2026. Index Box (Mar 11)
    Travel Updates: 
    • New Paris-Berlin night train to include three extra stops. The Local (Mar 11)
    • Germany lifts temporary border checks with France, easing cross-border commutes. Visa HQ (Mar 17)
    Travel Policy Updates: 
    • Germany has abolished the airport-transit-visa requirement for holders of Indian passports. Indian travellers catching onward flights through hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich or Berlin will no longer need to obtain a Schengen ‘Type A’ transit visa—provided they remain in the international transit zone and clear their onward flight within 24 hours. VisaHQ (Jan 13)
    Destination Headlines:
    • Saudi travel demand stays strong ahead of Eid. Hotelier (Mar 17)
    Travel Updates: 
    • Saudia adds 20 flights to Red Sea for Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Arab News (Mar 13)
    • Flynas, Flyadeal and major international airlines extend cancellations. Time Out (Mar 17)
    Travel Policy Updates: 
    • Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Ethiopia, Libya and other countries face strict changes to travel and visa suspensions in Saudi Arabia under this year's "Banned Hajj without Permit" campaign. Travel and Tour World (Feb 13, 2026)
    Destination Headlines:
    • 'Türkiye hits 4th place worldwide in tourism with $65B revenue,' Deputy Minister of Culture. Turkiye Today (Mar 11)
    Travel Updates: 
    • Turkiye Tourism confirms operations continue normally amid regional developments. The Economic Times (Mar 14)
    Travel Policy Updates: 
    • Holders of ordinary Chinese passports may enter Türkiye without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, effective January 2. VisaHQ (Feb 11)
    See All Destinations' Updates


    Tags: PATA

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