Singapore has been recognized as the world’s safest city for tourists according to a recent study by Forbes Advisor. This comprehensive analysis assessed multiple factors such as crime rates, healthcare quality, and natural disaster risks. The city achieved an impressive score of 0 points, indicating exceptional safety across various parameters. Singapore’s robust infrastructure and healthcare …
The 2024 Cruise Industry News Annual Report highlights a remarkable 89% increase in cruise capacity for the Asia Pacific region, following several years of reduced activity due to the pandemic. This growth is largely driven by leading cruise lines such as Adora Cruises, Resorts World Cruises, and MSC Cruises. Notably, MSC Cruises has relaunched its …
China has experienced a remarkable influx of foreign visitors in 2024, following the easing of visa regulations. In the first half of the year, the country welcomed 14.64 million foreigners, a staggering 152.7% increase from the previous year. This surge is attributed to China’s strategic visa-free policies aimed at boosting tourism and facilitating easier travel. …
Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, has partnered with executive travel managers and buyers from 17 major international corporations to form the Accor Global Leadership Council (GLC). This innovative advisory board is set to redefine corporate travel and meetings for 2025 and beyond. The council, which includes representatives from diverse industries such as financial services, engineering, …
South Korea’s Ministry of Justice has extended the pilot e-group visa program for nationals of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam by an additional two years. This decision aims to attract more tourists from these countries and bolster the nation’s tourism industry. Initially launched in June last year, the e-group visa program targets incentive tour groups, …
As Beijing and other major Chinese cities adapt to post-pandemic realities, the tourism sector is seeing significant changes designed to revive an industry hit hard by COVID-19. The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism has announced the removal of reservation requirements for most of the city’s major tourist attractions. This move, aimed at improving …
As the post-COVID travel boom begins to subside, airfares in Europe and Asia are showing signs of stabilisation or decline. This trend marks a significant shift for airlines grappling with high costs and limited aircraft availability. The surge in ticket prices, driven by a global imbalance between flight supply and pent-up demand, is now easing. …
Hotels in Singapore are gearing up for a surge in demand driven by major events and concerts scheduled for the latter half of 2024. The lineup includes the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix and performances by stars like Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, and Jay Chou. With Boutique seening a 10% rise in bookings during the …
China has expanded its 15-day visa exemption program to six more European countries: Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. From March 14 to November 30, 2024, travellers from these nations can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days, whether for business, tourism, or visiting family and friends. This initiative is part of China’s …
Thailand’s government has introduced significant changes to its visa and immigration rules, aimed at enhancing its appeal to digital nomads, remote workers, and long-term travelers. Starting from late June or early July 2024, the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) will allow digital nomads and participants in specific cultural activities to stay in Thailand for up …
New data from Booking.com’s annual sustainable travel report highlights significant trends and challenges faced by travellers in Asia and the Middle East. The report, which surveyed over 31,000 travellers globally, reveals a complex relationship between sustainable travel intentions and actual behaviours. While 83% of global travellers consider sustainable travel important, only 45% prioritise it when …
As China regains its status as a premier destination for Southeast Asian tourists, new visa-free entry programs and easier access to the mainland’s cashless payment systems are driving a surge in travel. Beijing has recently relaxed visa restrictions for tourists from Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, making it an attractive destination for both tourism and investment. …
Thailand is spearheading a new initiative to simplify travel across Southeast Asia with a Schengen-style visa system. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin leads this proposal, which aims to allow tourists to visit Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar with a single visa. This move is expected to significantly boost tourism and economic growth by making …
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Google are set to revolutionise the travel experience with the introduction of location-based Augmented Reality (AR) experiences on Google Maps. Announced at Google I/O 2024, this initiative marks the first time AR experiences will be directly integrated into Google Maps and will be available later this summer. Building on …
The travel sector in 2024 is booming, with strong consumer spending and soaring passenger traffic, according to the Mastercard Economics Institute’s fifth annual travel report, “Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries”. Despite challenges like fluctuating exchange rates and climate concerns, the desire to travel remains robust. Travelers are extending their trips by an extra day on …
Streamlining Travel: Automated Immigration Lanes in Singapore Singapore is set to revolutionise its immigration process with the introduction of automated lanes for all foreign travellers by the end of the year. This innovative move will see the implementation of advanced technology that scans passports and uses facial and iris recognition, significantly reducing immigration clearance times. …
Despite the challenges posed by the cost of living, the travel industry remains resilient and poised for growth in 2024, according to a recent interview with Skyscanner CEO John Mangelaars. Cultural exploration is emerging as a key priority for travellers, with a focus on value-for-money holiday experiences. This trend is supported by data indicating sustained …
Singapore retains its position as the top city for expatriates to live in for the 10th consecutive year, according to ECA International’s latest Location Ratings Report. With factors like excellent infrastructure, low crime rates, and minimal socio-political tensions, Singapore remains highly attractive for expats. While Hong Kong and mainland China have seen improvements over the …
Unlocking Opportunities: Embracing Remote Work in Asia In a world where remote work is becoming increasingly prevalent, the landscape of where and how we work is undergoing a significant transformation. While the return-to-office mandates may be echoing, the reality is that remote work continues to rise, reshaping cities worldwide. Nomad List, a trusted database of …
Recognising the growing trend of remote work, Japan recently introduced a six-month digital nomad visa for citizens of 49 countries (including the U.S., Australia, and Singapore). This visa caters to those who already work remotely or wish to, offering them more flexibility to live and work in Japan. However, there are limitations. Applicants must earn …