Destinations News: Travel Weekly Asia

Destinations News

Two winners for the newly minted Michelin Green Star: Roganic in Hong Kong (pictured) and Macau's IFT Educational Restaurant.

Cream of the crop in Macau, HK10 new restaurants made the Michelin list, while Hong Kong’s Roganic and Macau's IFT Educational Restaurant get a green star.

Singapore's success could boil down, most importantly, to the island-nation’s willingness to experiment.

From 50 to 250, Singapore tests its convening power in travel“We will continue to experiment and learn,” says STB chief Keith Tan.

Thailand's 10 million international visitors goal will not be attainable if quarantine rules in place, says TAT's Yuthasak Supasorn.

Thailand in pitch to ditch quarantinesScrapping quarantine rules for vaccinated travellers could be potential fix to TAT's 10 million goal in 2021.

Inbound tourists have to book their accommodation at a designated Level 1 certified hotel, get a Covid-19 test 96 hours before departure, and pre-pay for PCR tests and a health insurance.

Sri Lanka reopens to foreign tourists—with caveatsTourists can enjoy a "quarantine free" experience, provided they stay within a travel bubble of selected hotels and sites.

A proven vaccination certificate, as well as a negative PCR test result done within 72 hours of travel will allow global travellers entry into the tiny Indian Ocean archipelago.

Get your vaccine, skip the quarantineIsolation no longer needed for fully vaccinated travellers to the Seychelles, but travellers can't ditch their masks — yet.

Association chiefs urge the government to render assistance in higher wage subsidies and utility discounts to help the tourism and hospitality sectors tide over the worst.

Malaysia tourism buckling under lockdown 2.0Travel sector's woes laid bare as major parts of the country go into lockdown.

With domestic tourism now stalled, industry leaders fear that more travel agents in Thailand would be put out of business.

Travel agents to government: Vaccines our only way outBut first, the Thai authorities urged to secure enough vaccines soon and offer assistance to the battered tourism trade.

Demand is there, and with smart and informed decision making based on insightful data and powered by technology, DMOs can create compelling campaigns to advise and inspire, says Freddy Friedman, managing director at travel audience.

DMOs, here's how to stay ahead of competing destinationsTake a leaf from Marketing Greece's playbook in using data and artificial intelligence.

The app-based learning platform will be launched first in Singapore, then subsequently in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Play to learn, learn to winTourism NZ has a new 'gamified' training platform for incentive planners to pick up destination knowledge—and prizes too.

CentralWorld Bangkok, one of the city's most popular shopping malls, turned its annual mega countdown into a virtual format to usher in 2021.

Thailand goes from countdown to 'lockdown'Second Covid wave thwarted the country's much-needed domestic tourism boost during the New Year holiday period.

Sands China's The Londoner Macao will open progressively throughout 2021 starting in the first quarter.

Macau's poised for speedier recoveryChinese New Year and The Londoner's debut are expected to bring positive momentum for the inbound tourism scene in 2021.

Myanmar, with its abundance of natural and outdoor attractions, is well placed as a destination to tap post-Covid travel demand, says Myo Thwin.

Guest column: Keep a close eye on "leapfrogging" MyanmarMyanmar Tourism Marketing's Myo Thwin on why decentralised decision-making is pushing tourism development for the country's 14...

New quarantine list upends Hong Kong hotel sectorHong Kong’s Designated Hotel Scheme for compulsory quarantines raises eyebrows ahead of 22 December launch.

David Beckham is hopping onboard The Londoner Macau.

Beckham brings the best of British to MacauCatching up on the week’s news from around the globe

Clean Bagan was born when a group of unemployed tourism workers banded together to protect local heritage and wildlife.

Love and protect Bagan, not steal pleaseWith no visitors and pilgrims, empty temples suffered from looting — until local tourism providers stepped up to stop it.

Rapid PCR tests are now available at Hong Kong International Airport. Travellers are advised to arrive at least four hours before departure, with results delivered via email or SMS within two hours of taking the test.

Test first, then fly: Hong Kong offers pre-flight Covid testsAs well, Cathay Pacific joins a growing crop of airlines to offer Covid insurance for passengers.

The new normal makes it difficult for people to meet in everyday life and the latest TAT campaign is compatible with current tourism trends, say local tour operators.

TAT hooks up with Tinder for matchmaking tripsLooking for love in Thailand? Swipe right to join TAT's dating tours to nine popular tourist routes.

Multiple hotels have come on board with programmes and incentives to reward visitors who are willing to give back during their tropical vacations.

Hawaii: Mindful travellers wanted, pleaseThe tropical state's plan to balance community safety, destination ecology and tourism reopening in one fell swoop.

The Island of the Gods has seen a jump in flights by more than 50% after opening to domestic tourism some four months back.

Is Bali on track for Christmas 2020 opening?Satisfied with Bali's health and safety protocols, UNWTO declares the island could be reopening soon.

Tourism 'not the panacea' for Africa, stress conservation players amid rising illegal wildlife threats. (Pictured: Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.)

Survival of Africa's wildlife tourism under threatThe pandemic is hurting the continent's tourism industry, as well as the communities and animals dependent on it.