The Langtang, Rasuwa and Bhote Koshi corridor is closed. Travel there is not possible. The Galchhi–Syabrubesi road is closed. Search and rescue is active, and authorities have warned of further flooding from a barrier lake upstream.The Everest and Annapurna regions are outside the affected river system and were not in the flood path. PATA Nepal Chapter will confirm operating conditions in the affected region in subsequent updates as the situation stabilises.
The Nepal Tourism Board is issuing numbered Situation Updates on the Bhote Koshi flood, including verification of travellers’ whereabouts and safety: ntb.gov.np/en/latest-travel-updates. Verified casualty figures are issued by Nepal Police and the NDRRMA.
Support relief. Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund — Government of Nepal: https://pmdrf.nchl.com.np/
Destination Headlines:- Japan to launch Kyushu travel campaign following Kumamoto earthquake losses. TTG Asia (Aug 28)
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Travel Updates: - IHG expands Japan footprint with 14-hotel conversion deal in Kyoto. TTG Asia (Aug 28)
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)
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Destination Headlines:- Foreign shopping at Olive Young tops $720 million. Aju Press (Aug 31)
- Foreign tourists spread across Korea as regional airports hit 20% share for first time. The Herald Business (Aug 30)
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Travel Updates: Travel Policy Updates: - Korea (ROK) has extended its visa application fee exemption for package tourists from the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, and China until the end of 2026. Gulf News (Jul 6)
- Korea (ROK) launches digital nomad visa (F-1-D visa) which allows foreign travellers employed overseas to stay even without a Korean employer. The Korea Herald (Jul 16)
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Destination Headlines:- Macao records 91.6% hotel occupancy in July amid guest decline. Asia Gaming Brief (Aug 28)
- Air Macau posts RMB331M loss in 1H26 but narrows deficit. Macau Business (Aug 31)
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Travel Updates: - IC announces two-month shuttle service for historical discovery tour. Macau Daily Times (Aug 27)
Travel Policy Updates: - Macao introduces new regulations for entry and exit procedures for crossing into mainland China.
Non-Chinese residents of Macao (including Portuguese nationals) and permanent residents of Hong Kong SAR can now cross the border using just the Mainland Travel Permit. Aforementioned travellers are no longer required to present their Macao or Hong Kong identity cards. Macau Business (Jul 18)
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Destination Headlines:- Indonesia targets US$521B sports industry to boost economic growth. Antara News (Aug 29)
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Travel Updates: - Hyatt targets secondary cities in broad Indonesian expansion strategy. TTG Asia (Sep 1)
Travel Policy Updates: - Indonesia grants visa-free entry to Kazakhstan, Peru, Macao, and Belarus via 2026 regulation. Travel & Tour World (Jul 15)
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Destination Headlines:- Hotels expect 70% rise in stays during National Day. The Star (Sep 1)
- KLIA handles 36.7 million passengers in seven months. VnExpress (Aug 25)
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Travel Updates: Travel Policy Updates: - Malaysia and China allowi citizens of both countries to visit each other visa free for leisure travel, visiting relatives/friends, and business activities, with permitted stays of up to 30 days per entry and a maximum cumulative stay of 90 days within a 180-day period. Embassy of China in Malaysia (Jul 10, 2025)
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Destination Headlines:- Singapore records over 600,000 visitor arrivals in H1 2026. Travel Trends Today (Aug 26)
- Singapore pivots to high-value tourism as regional travel competition heats up. Travel Daily Media (Aug 31)
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Travel Updates: - Live Nation announces Grange House, a new 3,000-capacity live entertainment venue on Orchard Road. Band Wagon (Aug 31)
Travel Policy Updates: - Effective July 1, 2026, Singapore permanent residents, certain UN laissez-passer holders, visiting forces, eligible Chinese passport holders, and holders of specified diplomatic, official, or service passports from countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, India, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia exempted from visa requirements. The Order also revokes the previous visa exemption order. Singapore Statutes Online (Jul 1)
- Travellers will no longer need to submit two arrival cards as the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)'s interface and SG Arrival Card (SGAC) will begin a new version starting August 26. Visa News (Aug 19)
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Destination Headlines:- Bangkok tops Time Out's Best Cities for Nightlife 2026. Time Out (Aug 26)
- Songkhla tourism revenue hits 32 billion baht in seven months; Pattaya businesses eye 5,000 US sailors to boost tourism. The Thaiger; Khaosod English (Aug 31)
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Travel Updates: - Thailand to officially cut visa-free stay to 30 days on September 15, 2026; proposes 450-baht fee to fund tourism upgrade. Visas News; The Nation (Aug 31)
- Thailand transforms TAGTHAi into one-stop national tourism platform. Travel Daily Media (Aug 30)
Travel Policy Updates: - Visa Policy measures have been revised for 65+ countries where they are granted a 30-day visa-free entry for tourism purposes. Additionally, selected destinations, including Azerbaijan, have been given Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) privileges. Thailand PRD (Jul 15)
- Starting August 31, Thailand sets new rules for Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) applicants to submit proof of permanent residence in the country from which they are applying, and a police clearance certificate. Documents must be in original language and an English translation. Daily Sun (Aug 30)
- Thailand's Interior Ministry confirms visa-free entry will now be limited to 30 days from the initial 60. For list of nations included, click here. Khaosod English (Sep 1)
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Destination Headlines: - Vietnam emerges as one of IHG's best-performing Asia Pacific markets amid tourism boom. VnExpress (Aug 27)
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Travel Updates: - Vietnam to offer preferential visas to foreign visitors who spend more, stay longer. VnExpress (Aug 28)
Travel Policy Updates: - Under the Politburo Resolution, travellers will garner preferential visas, depending on the length they stay in the destinations. They are also required to obtain a compulsory insurance. VnExpress (Aug 28)
- Vietnam continues its visa exemption programme and extends visa-free stays for eligible countries with certain partners (Chile & Panama) being allowed to reside for over 90 days, valid until 2028 or until further notice. My Vietnam Visa (Jul 6)
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Travel Updates: Travel Policy Updates: - Bangladesh's cabinet approves new visa regime, easing foreign travel. The new policy expands visa categories to 34 with differing regulations from the 2006 visa rules. Asia & Pacific (Aug 12)
- Bangladesh opens online portal for E-Arrival and E-departure cards, allowing foreign travellers to fill essential data digitally.
The portal also provides access to the advanced Visa on Arrival Application service. Visa News (Aug 20)
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Destination Headlines:- Yasir appointed new MD of Visit Maldives. The Edition (Aug 27)
- Bill passed to tax foreign booking platforms and travel agencies. The Edition (Aug 31)
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Travel Updates: - Direct Australia-to-Maldives flights become permanent after massive trial success. The Cranberra Times (Sep 1)
Travel Policy Updates: - Maldives Immigration has introduced a more streamlined process for tourist visa extensions, effective from April 23, 2026. Maldives Immigration (Apr 24)
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Destination Headlines:- Tourism Board to set up information desk for missing, rescued tourists. Radio Nepal Online (Aug 31)
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Travel Updates: - Radisson Hotel Group signs first Radisson RED for Australia in Sydney’s Haymarket. Travel Weekly (Aug 27)
- Minor Hotels to launch Australia’s largest integrated resort wellness precinct in Hunter Valley. Travel Weekly (Aug 31)
Travel Policy Updates: - Effective July 1, 2026, Australia's updated visa application charges apply only to applications lodged on or after that date, while applications submitted earlier remain subject to the previous fees regardless of when they are decided. Most visa categories saw an average increase of around 3%, reflecting Australia's annual indexation of visa charges. RACC Australia (Jul 1)
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Destination Headline:- Fiji exempts existing bookings from new tourism tax. Travel Daily Media (Aug 27)
- Tourism industry ready to host Pre-COP 31 summit: Minister Gavoka. Fiji Sun (Aug 26)
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Destination Headline:- Tahiti Tourisme relaunches specialist programme with new platform. Recommend (Aug 28)
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Travel Updates: - Hawaii tourism 'largely returned to normal' after storms Lala and Moke. Travel Weekly (Aug 28)
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Travel Updates:- Domestic travel rose in July as trips to the United States fell: StatCan. Global News (Aug 28)
- Indigenous tourism operators say business is booming across Vancouver Island. CBC (Aug 30)
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Travel Updates: - Quebec City named best city to visit in Canada for 11th year in a row. Cult MTL (Aug 26)
Travel Policy Updates: - The Canadian Immigration Authorities announces a tightening policy on visa verification for five destinations: Dominica, Antigua, Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. St. Vincent Times (Aug 24)
- From the initial validity of September 13, the Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permits will now remain valid until November 30, 2026
The programme allows eligible individuals to bypass port of entry when crossing into Canada through selected border areas which have been announced to close on December 1. Persons entering Canada after aforementioned date will be required to report their entry to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CIC News (Aug 13)
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Travel Updates: - CNN Travel names Greenville among best towns to visit in US in 2026. Fox News (Aug 30)
- US pauses immigrant visa applications worldwide. Travel + Leisure (Aug 27)
Travel Policy Updates: - U.S. Department of State opens the nonimmigrant visa (NIV) expedited appointment program, which will run through December 31. Eligible applicants for B visas may pay a $750 fee on top of the $185 MRV fee.
Select embassies including Mission Canada, Embassy Bogota and Mission Mexico are included in this pilot testing phase which applicants can reach out to for their expedited appointments. US Travel State Government (Aug 18) - As of August 21 2026, the January 2026 pause of immigrant visa issuance is no longer in effect, opening applications for 75 countries.
Nonetheless, applicants are advised to expect delays due to US State Department's launching of a global training initiative at US embassies and consulates worldwide. US Travel State Government; Travel + Leisure (Aug 27)
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Destination Headlines:- Kenya integrates MICE tourism with new pre- and post-conference safari routes in 2026. Nomad Lawyer (Aug 31)
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Travel Updates: - Kenya aviation workers end strike. AP News (Sep 1)
Travel Policy Updates: - Kenya suspends implementation of mandatory travel health insurance for foreign travellers. Visa News (Aug 25)
- The Government of Kenya has implemented entry measures requiring all travellers to obtain an 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)
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Destination Headlines:- Saudi Arabia hotel market: Makkah and Madinah outperform as Riyadh RevPAR falls 23.2%. Arabian Business (Aug 26)
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Travel Updates: - Air Arabia launches third Germany route from Sharjah with daily flights. Gulf News (Aug 27)
Travel Policy Updates: - Saudi Arabia inaugurates the Visa Package for Jordan, Egypt, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Mexico Passengers. Travellers may secure an online tourist visa within 48 hours as part of a bundled travel booking including round-trip flights, accommodation at licensed hotels, and an electronic tourist visa. Gulf Business (Jul 11)
- Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) instructs all airlines to verify the latest entry, exit and transit requirements of travellers leaving and entering the Kingdom. Gulf News (Aug 17)
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Destination Headlines:- Dubai sets new sustainability record: 237 hotels earn Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp in green hospitality drive. Hotelier (Sep 1)
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Travel Updates: - ADIB, Marriott Bonvoy and Visa launch co-branded travel cards in the UAE. Travel Wires (Aug 26)
Travel Policy Updates: - Filipinos with permanent residency permits from Japan, Australia, Canada, Korea (ROK), Singapore or New Zealand are now eligible for a visa on arrival at UAE entry points and will no longer need sponsors to apply for their visas. Business Mirror (Aug 18)
- The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has extended a temporary grace period for visa regularisation, which remains valid until July 9. After this date, affected residents must ensure full compliance with residency rules or risk possible penalties. The Times of India (Jul 1)
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Destination Headlines:- Türkiye secures Formula 1 return through 2031 season. Yeni Safak (Aug 27)
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Travel Updates: Travel Policy Updates: - The agreement between Turkiye and Saudi Arabia on mutual exemption from visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and special passports was ratified on June 13, 2026. Resmi Gazete (Jun 13)
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