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Τετάρτη 25 Μαρτίου 2026

Weekly Asia Pacific Snapshot: Updates on West Asia; Sri Lanka grants one-month visa extension; and moreTags:








 
Israel:
  • Israel to cut down outbound flights at Ben Gurion Airport to 1 per hour, with only 50 onboard. The Times of Israel (Mar 23)
Kuwait:
  • Jazeera Airways announced it will resume commercial flights to and from Sohag in Egypt via Saudi Arabia’s Qaisumah Airport, starting March 29. Gulf News (Mar 22)
  • Kuwait Airways resumes flights to and from Cairo, Egypt, operating 4 times a week via Dammam. Arab Times Kuwait News (Mar 22)
The UAE:
  • Etihad Airways resumes limited flights and it is operating a limited schedule of commercial flights between Abu Dhabi and select destinations. Gulf News (Mar 20)

Relevant updates from more destinations within the Asia Pacific region available below.
Tourism Malaysia Short Pulse Survey: West Asia Crisis Impact
 
In light of the status quo, Tourism Malaysia is gathering insights to better understand its impact on the tourism industry. Your valuable feedback will help gain a clearer understanding of current challenges, industry sentiment, and booking trends across the sector. 

Take a few minutes to complete this short survey >

Kindly submit your feedback on or before April 2, 2026 to facilitate the next course of action. Your input will also be shared with the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia.
Northeast Asia
Destination Headlines:
  • Hotel giant H World reports $726 million net income in 2025, up by 66.7% year-on-year. China Travel News (Mar 19)
Travel Updates: 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:
  • Japan sets February record for inbound tourists with nearly 3.5 million visitors. Reuters (Mar 18)
 
Travel Updates: 
  • JR East launches expanded rail pass to boost travel beyond Tokyo. TTG Asia (Mar 20)
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:
  • Korea (ROK) witnesses 103% surge in hotel bookings by foreign tourists ahead of BTS concert. VnExpress (Mar 20)
Travel Updates: 
  • Gov't offers 100% cashback on selected domestic trips for 'Spring Travel Month' campaign. Korea JoongAng Daily (Mar 18)
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)
  • Korea (ROK) granted visa-free entry to travellers from Indonesia and expanding automated entry processing to nationals from European Union member states. The Korea Times (Feb 25)
Destination Headlines:
  • Macao tops annual visitor milestone 12 days early as mainland arrivals surge. Macau Daily Times (Mar 23)
  • Macao gets two more Michelin-starred restaurants, both in Grand Lisboa Palace. Platforma Media (Mar 20)
Travel Updates: 
  • Melco to open REM luxury hotel in Macao in the second half of 2026. The Macao News (Mar 28)
  • Air Macau to resume flights to and from the Philippines on July 1 after near-two-year halt. IAG (Mar 19)
Southeast Asia
Destination Headlines:
  • Cambodia's tourism makes US$3.87B revenue in 2025. The Star (Mar 19)
Travel Updates: 
  • Cambodia and China launch tourist debit card to ease payments. Khmer Times (Mar 19)
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:
  • Lao PDR’s Luang Prabang named among Asia’s most beautiful cities in 2026 ranking. Vientiane Times (Mar 19)
Travel Updates: 
  • Lao PDR celebrates Hin Nam No National Park gaining world heritage status. The Star (Mar 21)
Destination Headlines:
  • AirAsia adds daily Kuala Lumpur–Batam flights amid ASEAN boom. The Traveler (Mar 20)
Travel Updates: 
 
Destination Headlines:
  • Hari Raya travel drives 33% rise in Singapore outbound trips: Trip.com. TTG Asia (Mar 20)
Travel Updates: 
  • Singapore Airlines to launch Hangzhou flights from June 1. Travelbiz Monitor (Mar 23)
  • Quantum of the Seas to return to Singapore for 2027-28 season. TTG Asia (Mar 20)
  • Singapore Airlines (SIA) extends flight cancellations until April 30 amid West Asia conflict. VnExpress (Mar 22)
 
Destination Headlines:
Travel Updates: 
  • Thailand plans to cut visa-free stay for foreigners from 60 to 30 days. Khaosod English (Mar 22)
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:
  • Vietnam tourism soars past 2 million visitors for 3rd month. KazInform (Mar 19)
Travel Updates: 
 
South Asia
Destination Headlines:
  • 88% Indian travellers prioritise sustainable travel in 2026, ranking third in Asia: Agoda. Travtalk (Mar 20)
Travel Updates: 
  • India removes domestic airfare cap; flight tickets cost likely to rise. TravelBiz Monitor (Mar 23)
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:
  • Two new visas planned to boost longer tourist stays. The Edition (Mar 22)
Travel Updates: 
  • Condor Airlines to resume summer flights to Maldives. The Edition (Mar 22)
Destination Headlines:
  • Sri Lanka’s Mattala Airport proposed as a contingency hub for Gulf carriers. Air Cargo Week (Mar 20)
  • Highest in SL hotel occupancy recorded during India-Pakistan match. Daily Mirror (Mar 21)
 Travel Updates: 
  • Sri Lanka’s Mattala Airport proposed as a contingency hub for Gulf carriers. Air Cargo Week (Mar 20)
  • One-month visa extension granted for delayed tourists. Hiru News (Mar 18)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Sri Lanka has expanded its tourist visa validity from 90 to 180 days. Travellers can apply online through the country’s Electronic Tourist Visa Activation System via a mobile app. Propakistani (Feb 6)
  • Sri Lanka grants free 7-day visa extension to stranded foreign nationals following Middle East bound flight cancellations. The Economic Times (Mar 1)
 
The Pacific
Destination Updates:
  • Western Australia smashes tourism records with $19.2 billion in visitor spend. So Perth (Mar 23)
  • Tourism Australia unveils industry sustainability initiative. TTG Asia (Mar 20)
 Travel Updates: 
  • Australia scored four spots on TIME’s list of the World’s Greatest Places for 2026. Time Out (Mar 22)
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)
  • Australia activated Section 84B ‘arrival-pause’ power on March 18, 2026, making visa grants conditional on real-time border controls. VisaHQ (Mar 19)
Destination Headlines:
  • Talks underway for turtle conservation and eco-tourism project in Fiji. FBC News (Mar 23)
 Travel Updates: 
  • Radisson Hotel Group signs Mana Island Resort & Spa Fiji. Travel Daily News (Mar 23)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Fijians who qualify for a US business or tourist visa will be required to pay a bond of US$5,000, US$10,000 or US$15,000 before the visa is approved. Fijivillage (Jan 21)
  • Visitors must apply for a visa/permit before purchasing a ticket or boarding a flight to Fiji. A Transit Visa is required for those passing through. Applications can be lodged at a Fijian Immigration office or a Fiji High Commission/Embassy abroad. 

    The visa is valid for a single 3-month journey and takes 14 working days to process. Fiji Immigration
Destination Headline:
  • French Polynesia shifts tourism strategy toward high-value travel. Travel Daily News (Mar 23)
The Americas
Destination Headlines:
  • Mexico to host UN Tourism’s Fourth World Sports Tourism Congress for the first time. Gobierno de Mexico (Mar 17)
Travel Updates: 
  • Mexico City International Airport to restrict ride-hailing services ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico Business (Mar 20)
 
Destination Headlines:
Travel Updates: 
  • US to require $19.2K bond to visa recipients from 12 more countries. The Straits Times (Mar 18)
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)
  • The visa bond programme is being expanded to apply to a total of 50 countries on April 2 and will require foreign nationals from these countries to post a bond of up to $15,000 before receiving B1 or B2 visas for business and tourism in the United States. The bond will be returned to visa recipients who return home in compliance with the terms of the visa and the bond or does not travel.

    The 12 new countries include:  Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia. U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua (Mar 18)
Europe, West Asia, Africa
Destination Headlines:
  • Kenya Airways sees surge in demand as Middle East conflict disrupts global travel. Africa News (Mar 24)
Travel Updates: 
  • Kenya Airways opens US routes through JetBlue partnership. Getaway (Mar 19)
  • Kenya offers 30% incentive to cruise tourists visiting national parks. The Eastleigh Voice (Mar 17)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • The Government of Kenya has implemented entry measures requiring all travellers (including Macao passport holders) to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before entering Kenya. Once approved, travellers can enter the country visa-free for a maximum stay of 90 days per entry. Macao SAR Government Portal (Mar 6)
 
Destination Headlines:
  • Saudi Arabia set to add 94,500 hotel rooms as tourism demand grows. Hotelier (Mar 21)
Travel Updates: 
  • Saudi Arabia sets Umrah visa, travel deadlines ahead of Hajj. The Economic Times (Mar 20)
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:
  • UAE hotels slashing prices to off peak lows. Skift (Mar 23)
Travel Updates: 
  • Air Arabia resumes limited UAE flights to 18 countries until April 15. Arabian Business (Mar 20)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • A uniform fine of AED 50 per day will be charged to anyone who remains in UAE beyond their visa’s expiration date. Pakistan Observer (Feb 11)
  • Citizens of Papua New Guinea holding valid diplomatic, official, and ordinary passports will be eligible to enter the United Arab Emirates without a pre-arranged Visa, with Visa-Free Entry or Visa on Arrival for a period of up to 30 days. Department of Prime Minister (Feb 6)
Destination Headlines:
  • Türkiye sets 2,000-ship target for 2028 in cruise tourism. Turkiye Today (Mar 22)
Travel Updates: 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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