Destinations News: Travel Weekly Asia

Destinations News

Ordering a gelato near the Trevi Fountain can cost €5 now.

Italy's rising costs challenge tourism appealPrices have surged up to 20% for beach resorts, food, and accommodations.

Kenroku-en in Japan came in fourth with 496,200 Instagram posts and 2,607 TikTok tags.

Top 10 most Instagrammable gardens in the worldSingapore and Japan claimed two spots each in the global ranking.

From January to March 2024, Laos greeted 242,000 Chinese tourists, marking China as the third-largest contributor to foreign visitor numbers.

Laos eases visa policies for international visitorsMore countries now enjoy easier access to this ‘forgotten paradise in Southeast Asia.

While alcohol consumption is permitted in Dubai in licensed venues, showing intoxication in public places can lead to arrests.

Rules travellers should know before going to DubaiTravellers should ensure they respect Dubai's laws to avoid legal issues and ensure a smooth visit.

International tourism to the Philippines may increase due to favourable exchange rates driven by the weakened peso.

How Southeast Asia economy is affecting tourismTourism emerges as key driver despite currency challenges.

Crickets and 15 other insects have been approved by the Singapore Food Agency to be served in F&B establishments.

Bugs are creeping into Singapore restaurantsAdventurous travellers can soon find insect dishes in Singapore.

The protesters chanted "tourists, go home" and obstructed access to hotels and restaurant terraces.

Tourists go home, shout Barcelona localsOn Saturday around 3,000 Barcelonians took to the streets to protest against mass tourism in Barcelona.

The Philippines' tourism sector is projected to contribute ₱5.4 trillion (US$91.8 billion) to the national economy, reflecting a 25% year-on-year growth and surpassing the 2019 peak by 7.1%.

Philippines set for record-breaking tourism year in 2024International tourist spending in the Philippines projected to reach $12 billion.

Bali keen to tackle bad behaviour, but viral posts do not help, says Denpasar official.

Is social media giving Bali a bad name?Videos of punch-ups and other poor behaviour are not helpful for the island’s image, says deputy mayor.

Solo travel is gaining popularity among affluent Chinese female travellers, with 72% planning to maintain or increase solo trips in the future.

What rich female Chinese travellers wantSavvy and raring to go solo, Chinese female luxury travellers presents a rich area of opportunity: ILTM Asia 2024.

Japan’s online travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors aims to enhance security and prevent illegal stays.

Going to Japan? You may need to apply for entry online firstVisa-exempt travellers going to Japan will soon have to apply for electronic travel authorisation.

Langkawi, as a Muslim-friendly destination, offers authentic experiences, distinguishing itself from typical island getaways with unique cultural offerings for visitors.

Could Langkawi soar as the next Muslim-friendly hotspot?The Malaysian island’s focus on becoming a more Muslim-friendly destination has both its challenges and rewards.

Cebu aims to establish itself as a premier culinary destination in the Philippines, urging both public and private sectors to support this initiative.

Tuck in: Cebu’s food wants to ‘tell the story of the Filipino’Cebu eyes culinary capital status after successful UN gastronomy forum.

Barcelona plans to halt licences for the more than 10,000 properties approved for short-term rental.

Is Barcelona’s Airbnb ban a sign of things to come?Mayor wants to put locals in homes and kick tourists out.

Lower restaurant and bar charges aided by the fall in the value of the Vietnamese dong drove Hoi An to top a table of the world’s cheapest destinations.

Which holiday destinations are the best value for money?The dipping dong and lower local prices boost spending power in Vietnam.

Macao is seeing a growing presence of Muslim travellers, prompting MGTO to educate tourism players on meeting the religious and cultural needs of Islamic visitors.

How Macao is attracting Muslim travellersThere's a new game plan in the works at targeting Muslim travellers through improved connectivity, halal offerings, and...

Eating well, moving mindfully, and resting both mind and body: travellers visiting Macao can leave revitalised and ready to take on the world.

Feeling burned out? Macao’s wellness getaways offer a recovery planHow travellers can keep their mind and body in tip-top shape with these innovative wellness offerings in Macao.

Famous attractions like temples often experience overcrowding in Japan, affecting visitor experience and local residents.

Japan wants to double tourism numbers despite overtourismHaving welcomed 25 million tourists in 2023, Japan is now looking at bringing in 60 million visitors annually.

Data from the Korea Tourism Organization reveals a 21.1% decline in Thai tourist arrivals from January to April 2023 compared to the previous year.

K-ETA to blame for drop of Thai tourists in South KoreaThai tourist numbers to South Korea plummet amid entry hurdles caused by K-ETA.

Tokyo is a hotspot for this flesh-eating disease, which has infected almost a thousand people in Japan in 2024 so far, spreding through respiratory droplets, direct contact, or skin wounds.

Flesh-eating disease spreading like wildfire in JapanA record-breaking number of 977 people has contracted the fatal infection in 2024, with almost 30% resulting in death.