Destinations News: Travel Weekly Asia

Destinations News

Lionel Messi with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo in Diriyah.

Kicking goals for Saudi, Lionel Messi mulls next moveTourism ambassador skips soccer for the kingdom’s best visitor experiences.

The smog is currently obscuring views of Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai's temple landmark

Hazy days for Chiang Mai tourism as smog chokes the landHit by the smog crisis, Thailand's northern tourist city sees fewer visitors and cancelled bookings and lower occupancy rates.

Taiwan is offering foreign visitors the chance to win shopping vouchers.

Taiwan launches lucky draw to boost tourismThe Taiwanese government is giving NT$5,000 travel vouchers to tourists from 1 May.

The move to drop PCR tests is part of China's efforts to revive its tourism industry and further ease its ‘zero Covid’ policies.

China drops PCR requirement for inbound travellersFrom 29 April, inbound travellers will only need to show a negative antigen test taken 48 hours before boarding.

Malta is Europe's next cruise hot spot. Here's why

Malta is Europe's next cruise hot spot. Here's whyFrom cathedrals to culture, the island country in the Mediterranean Sea has a lot going for it as travel destination.

The world’s longest waterslide is at Penang, Malaysia.

5 newest must-visit spots in MalaysiaFrom the world's longest zip coaster to an enchanting trail through Langkawi's rainforest, here's five reasons to visit...

New York City tops the list of the world's wealthiest cities, according to the latest findings published by Henley & Partners in partnership with New World Wealth.

The world's top 20 wealthiest citiesNew York City tops the list with most number of millionaires, but Chinese and Asian cities are steadily rising up the ranks.

The Mekong region may struggle to handle increasing tourism demand due to challenges including COVID-19 recovery and visitor expectations.

Mekong tourism will soon face a 'high-class problem'Visitors are returning to the Mekong region, but many tourism businesses are not yet fully prepared to deal with the arrival...

This shortage has put a strain on the city's hospitality industry, which is grappling to meet the high demands of incoming tourists.

Room shortage in Macau as tourism comes backRates are going up as Macau's hotels operate on partial capacity amid a lack of manpower.

Tel Aviv, Israel's capital city, is wooing visitors with new hotels, restaurants and activities.

Sun, sand, and Michelin stars in Israel's capital of coolTel Aviv is fast becoming a rising star with its fusion of ancient history and modernity with a booming food and culture scene.

The post-pandemic tourism recovery led to a market-wide occupancy of 48% for the year, up year-on-year from the pandemic impacted low of 8% in 2021.

Tourism rebounds in Phuket, but is it ready for the onslaught?Phuket's tourism recovery fuelled by regional visitors and Russian travellers, but transportation infrastructure faces...

Best Western Chatuchak greet guests with panoramic vistas at nearly every space.

Cool neighbourhoods in Thailand to explore in 2023With BWH Hotel Group’s newest properties, travellers have more enthralling ways to experience Thailand.

The Macau government is launching a new subsidy scheme for local travel agencies to attract more tourists from overseas or Taiwan.

Macau rolls the dice with new tour group subsidiesMGTO is offering travel agencies up to $61.80 per tourist every night for tour groups consisting of at least four people.

“So far, we have already crossed over 2.9 million visitors in Q1 2023, each staying an average of 3.97 days,” says STB’s chief executive Keith Tan.

Unleashing the roar: Singapore's vision for quality tourism growthWith its visitor numbers fast recovering, Singapore steps up pursuit for quality tourism growth with a raft of new attractions,...

South Korea wants to attract 10 million tourists with visa exemptions.

Korea makes it easier for 22 nations to enterSouth Korea temporarily waives K-ETA requirements for 22 visa-free locations from 1 April.

Members of Japanese Tour Operators Association and the Society of the Golden Keys of Hong Kong visited various tourist attractions, hotels, and tourism facilities in Macao to get a better understanding of the latest and diverse tourism facilities and attractions.

A new series of fam trips roll into MacaoMGTO plays key role in organising fam trips for regional tour associations to get up to date on Macao's latest offerings.

Adding back airline capacity, starts fast, slows quickly, says OAG.

No quick fix for Hong Kong despite free ticketsThe big giveaway is working, but full recovery waits for more airline capacity from China.

Alhasan Aldabbagh, who heads the Asia Pacific region for Saudi Tourism Authority, is also a keen adventurer with an affinity for taking to the open road on two wheels.

Meet the biker who's revving up Saudi Arabia tourismSaudi Tourism Authority's president of APAC markets, Alhasan Aldabbagh, uses his alter ego as a biker to derive inspiration for...

"We wish to deliver fresh travel experiences through new segments like sustainable and responsible tourism, health and wellness, and remote workers, while highlighting Thailand’s soft power 5F," says Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The soft power of Thailand's 5F tourismTAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn is intent to offer meaningful travel experiences to 25 million international tourists in 2023.

New study ranks Switzerland as the safest place to travel in Europe, followed by Iceland and Norway.

Europe's top 10 safest countries for travellersThese destinations top the ranks when it comes to safety indexes, scenic experiences and cultural offerings.