Destinations News: Travel Weekly Asia

Destinations News

Indonesia has imposed a travel ban to and from China starting Feb 5, 2020, as the world steps up efforts to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Indonesia closes doors to ChinaJAKARTA – The country has imposed a travel ban to and from China starting Feb 5, 2020, as the world steps up efforts to prevent...

Carrie Lam announced on Monday (Feb 3) that Hong Kong would close 10 out of 13 border crossings with mainland China.

Hong Kong to stem virus outbreak with mandatory quarantineHONG KONG – Hong Kong will place all visitors arriving from mainland China from Saturday (Feb 8) under a mandatory 14-day...

Macau’s 41 casinos will close for a period of 15 days to protect at-risk staff and Macau residents.

Macau closes casinos and entertainment outletsMacau’s government has taken the unprecedented step of shutting down casinos and their respective entertainment outlets such as...

Adventure Travel Conference and Mart in Sabah remains on schedule.

PATA to go ahead with Adventure Travel MartBANGKOK - PATA is pushing ahead with its Adventure Travel Conference and Mart 2020 in Sabah from February 12-14.

The Australian Open has rebranded with a new name: Australia is Open – sending the world a simple but key message – the country is open for business, and tourism.

Stars of tennis: “Australia is open”SYDNEY – The Australian Open has rebranded with a new name: Australia is Open – sending the world a simple but key message –...

Following the suspension of all direct flights from China, Sabah will be looking at tapping tourists from other countries in a move to salvage its tourism industry.

Sabah shifts tourism focus beyond ChinaKOTA KINABALU – Following the suspension of all direct flights from China, Sabah will be looking at tapping tourists from other...

Roads to the flooded area of Milford Sound are likely to be shut all week.

Tourists stranded in NZ floodsWELLINGTON – A large group of tourists and resort staff have been marooned by heavy rain in the New Zealand South Island’s...

Tokyo is buffing up its rail network in anticipation of the upcoming 2020 Olympics.

Buffed up rail network for 2020 OlympicsTOKYO – In anticipation of the upcoming 2020 Olympics, Japan’s capital is adding new stations to its rail network, not only...

Malaysia says it will be ready when the Chinese visitors return.

Malaysia plans ahead to regain groundKUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has been in high-level talks with industry...

Singapore’s tourism sector is facing a heavy hit from nCoV with a decline in arrivals expected over coming weeks.

Coronavirus: Singapore moves swiftly to assist tourism sectorSINGAPORE – The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has moved swiftly to aid tourism businesses in Singapore affected by the novel...

Land values, rents and condominium sales prices have skyrocketed in Sihanoukville.

Once sleepy Sihanoukville is still a good bet for growthBANGKOK - Cambodia’s ban of online gambling, driven by the Chinese government, has hit Sihanoukville’s tourism and real estate...

The Bali W Hotel Seminyak has its own solution for beach rubbish.

Bali: Let’s address the big issues affecting the islandDENPASAR – In the wake of the cancellation of the Bali Kintamani Festival, originally scheduled for Feb. 8 - a move linked to...

Popular tourist destinations such as the Uluru, or Ayers Rock as it’s commonly known, remain unaffected by the bush fire in Australia.

Tourism Australia works to woo travellers backSYDNEY – Australia’s tourism authority has embarked on a promotional tour in the United States and invested in a domestic...

India is encouraging her citizens to tour around the country.

India rewards citizens for domestic tourismNEW DELHI – India’s tourism ministry has rolled out an incentive to encourage domestic tourism among its citizens.

Busan has been chosen by the South Korean government as an international tourism city.

South Korea picks 5 cities as new tourism hubsSEOUL – The South Korean government has chosen five cities as new tourism hubs in an effort to spread the tourism revenue...

Authorities look to create 600,000 jobs in the tourism sector within this year.

Sri Lanka set to double tourism arrivals to four million in 2020COLOMBO – Sri Lanka has set its eye on an ambitious goal to double tourism arrivals this year, with plans to attract four...

Travellers whose plans are disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak will not be fined for overstays, says Thailand’s Immigration Bureau, with 15 airlines also in talks to address refund policies.

Thailand: No overstay fine for tourists affected by coronavirus outbreakBANGKOK — Travellers whose plans are disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak will not be fined for overstays, says Thailand’s...

UAE’s newly-introduced five-year tourist visa aims to spur tourism, especially as Dubai readies to host the Expo 2020.

UAE’s new visa to fuel tourism, business sectorsABU DHABI – United Arab Emirates’ newly-introduced five-year tourist visa is set to fuel ambitious tourism goals and impact...

Malaysia has stopped all immigration facilities including the issuing of visas for Chinese citizens hailing from Wuhan and areas around the Hubei province, even as Indonesia continues to welcome visitors from China.

Malaysia and Indonesia’s differing stands towards Wuhan virusJAKARTA — Malaysia has stopped all immigration facilities including the issuing of visas for Chinese citizens hailing from...

Don Mueang airport had 43 flights from Wuhan in a three week period during January.

Thailand ends the year with a flourish, but outlook is challengingBANGKOK - Arrivals in Thailand rose 2.48% in December from a year earlier, following an increase of 5.92% the previous month,...