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Τετάρτη 29 Απριλίου 2026

Weekly Asia Pacific Snapshot: Türkiye visa-free for Australians; China expands visa-free policy to Crown Dependency passports; and more.Tags:

 


 
Kuwait:
  • Kuwait Airways will resum operations from Kuwait International Airport, restoring flights to 17 destinations from 26 April, following the reopening of the country’s airspace after a temporary suspension. Gulf News (Apr 24)
Qatar:
  • Hamad International Airport (HIA) announced on April 26 the resumption of operations by additional international airlines, as flight activity to and from Doha continues to expand. The Peninsula Qatar (Apr 26)
  • Qatar Airways announces resumption of flight operations between Doha and key destinations across the West Asia, reinstating daily services to the United Arab Emirates and Syria. Qatar Ariways (Apr 23)
The UAE:
  • Emirates is currently operating to over 100 destinations, with a reduced schedule. Emirates (Apr 22)

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Northeast Asia
Destination Headlines:
  • China’s visa-free expansion drives 30 % jump in foreign arrivals in Q1 2026. VisaHQ (Apr 24)
  • China to invest 1 billion yuan to subsidise tourist trips. CGTN (Apr 24)
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)
  • Holders of Crown Dependency variant passports are eligible for visa-free entry into China. BBC (Apr 23)
Destination Headlines:
  • Osaka Castle reigns as top draw among foreign visitors to Japan: survey. Kyodo News (Apr 23)
  • Japan outbound travel remains at 70% of pre-pandemic levels; to cut passport application fees from July to encourage overseas travel. Japan Today; Japan Today (Apr 26)
Travel Updates: 
  • ANA and JAL will raise fuel surcharges by up to two times from May 2026, charging 56,000 yen on U.S. and Europe routes. Travel Voice Japan (Apr 27)
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:
  • KTO, Aero K Aim to raise foreign passenger share at Cheongju Airport to 35% by 2028. Aju Press (Apr 27)
  • Gangwon province surpasses 35 million winter tourists. The Asia Business Daily (Apr 27)
Travel Updates: 
  • Korea (ROK) expands direct air travel baggage transfer programme to 3 US airports. The Korea Times (Apr 15)
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)
  • Chinese citizens who have previously visited Korea (ROK) can obtain multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years. For residents of major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, the validity period has been extended further to 10 years, doubling the previous limit. The Korea Bizwire (Mar 31)
Destination Headlines:
  • Macao visitor arrivals surge past 11 million mark in first quarter; May holidays visitor outlook steady amid flight cost pressures. The Macao News; GGR Asia (Apr 27)
  • Macao halts 14-month decline in 5-star hotel rates with 4.2% Y-o-Y gain in March. GGR Asia (Apr 24)
Travel Updates: 
  • Ferry prices from Hong Kong to Macao hiked up by 10%. Time Out (Apr 24)
Southeast Asia
Destination Headlines:
  • Cambodia Tourism Board launches official location scouting programme to attract international productions. Cambodgemag (Apr 26)
  • US tops Angkor Wat visitor arrivals in Q1 2026 amid visitor slump. Kiripost (Apr 23)
Travel Updates: 
  • $300 million luxury hotel project approved to build in Bavet. Kiri Post (Apr 24)
Destination Headlines:
  • Malaysia extends Visit Malaysia campaign to 2027 amid global uncertainty. TTG Asia (Apr 27)
  • Hari Raya travel surge lifts KLIA traffic, MAHB reports 14.4% rise in Q1 passenger movements. Malay Mail (Apr 27)
Travel Updates: 
  • Malaysia reviews plan to restore Langkawi duty-free status. TTG Asia (Apr 22)
Destination Headlines:
  • Thailand partners Dida to boost travel confidence in China. TTG Asia (Apr 23)
Travel Updates: 
  • Thailand to revert visa-free list to 57 countries, scrap 60-day scheme for 93 nations. Khaosod English (Apr 27)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • The Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi has announced revised fees for visa applications, legalisation, and consular services, effective April 27, 2026. The Economic Times (Apr 22)
  • Thailand doubles visa-free stay for Indians to 60 days, introduces 30-day extension. VisaHQ (Feb 19)
Destination Headlines:
  • Hoi An leads Agoda’s list for Slow Travel Destinations in Asia. VnEconomy (Apr 26)
  • Vietnam’s luxury travel sector hits $3.2B as market expands beyond major cities. Travel Daily Media (Apr 23)
Travel Updates: 
  • Vietjet launches new routes linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh CIty with Con Dao. Travel and Tour World (Apr 26)
South Asia
Destination Headlines:
  • Tourist arrivals drop by 27 percent. The Edition (Apr 24)
Travel Updates: 
  • Two new visas planned to boost longer tourist stays. The Edition (Mar 22)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Maldives Immigration has introduced a more streamlined process for tourist visa extensions, effective from April 23, 2026. Maldives Immigration (Apr 24)
Destination Headlines:
  • Sri Lanka welcomes over 100,000 tourists in first 23 days of April; tourist arrivals exceed 840,000 so far this year. Daily FT; Adaderana (Apr 27)
  • Sri Lanka’s tourism investments hit six-year high in 2025 amid substantial capacity expansion. Daily Mirror (Apr 27)
 Travel Updates: 
  • Direct Ahmedabad-Colombo flights to launch from May 15. Gujarat Samachar (Apr 22)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Sri Lanka extends fee-free 30-day visas for Indian travellers through 2026. Visa HQ (Apr 18)
  • Hong Kong SAR passport holders will be able to obtain a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka, provided they apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization in advance. The Standard (HK) (Apr 13)
 
The Pacific
Destination Updates:
  • Australia is one of the world’s 10 best destinations for solo travellers in 2026. Time Out (Apr 28)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • ​The Australian Government will temporarily restrict Iranian Visitor (Subclass 600) visa holders who are outside Australia from travelling to Australia. The Arrival Control Determination will be in force from March 26, 2026 for six months. Department of Home Affairs Website (Mar 25)
  • 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:
  • Govt targets 50% reduction in travel time on major corridors. Fiji Village (Mar 12)
  • Tourism Fiji rejuvenates Fiji Matai Program. FBC News (Mar 27)
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:
 Travel Updates: 
  • Maui's Iao Valley State Monument is temporarily closed untul June 26. Travel Weekly (Apr 27)
The Americas
Destination Headlines:
Travel Updates: 
  • 'Larger than Belgium': Wild B.C. area named among seven world wonders to visit this year. Daily Hive (Apr 25)
  • Flair launches Vancouver–Guanajuato route, first direct link to Mexico's Bajío region. Pax News (Apr 22)
 
Destination Headlines:
  • U.S. government’s early data shows no clear World Cup travel spike. Sports Business Journal (Apr 24)
  • Canadians are continuing to avoid travel to U.S., StatCan reports. Global News (Apr 23)
Travel Updates: 
  • Summer 2026 travel trends: More Americans plan closer-to-home trips. Fox 25 (Apr 24)
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)
  • 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:
  • Saudi tourism sees robust performance in Q1 2026: Al-Khatib. Argaam (Apr 26)
  • Al-Urumah Season emerges as eco-tourism leader with over 1.7M visitors. GDN Online (Apr 27)
Travel Updates: 
  • AROYA Cruises to resume voyages from Jeddah in May. Hotelier (Apr 24)
Travel Policy Updates: 
  • Saudi Arabia introduces 90-day visa-free travel with Russia from May 11. Travel and Tour World (Apr 27)
Destination Headlines:
  • Ras Al Khaimah tourism sees 93% jump in domestic visitors as it taps into staycation boom. Arabian Business (Apr 22)
Travel Updates: 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 expects major tourism boost as Formula 1 returns. Hurriyet Daily News (Apr 25)
  • Ankara hotels ramp up preparations for 2026 NATO Summit. Turkiye Today (Apr 26)
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  (Mar 19)
  • Australian passports will be permitted to travel to Türkiye visa-free for tourism and transit for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Turkiye Today (Apr 17)
See All Destinations' Updates
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