BEIJING: China’s tourism sector is reaching new heights, following an increase in international arrivals since the country’s expansion of its visa exemption policy. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) stated that the country received 7.25 million foreign visitors in the third quarter of 2025, an increase of 48.3% of visa-exempt arrivals year over year. The policy…
LIMBE, Cameroon – Once a thriving seaside destination drawing visitors from across the globe, Cameroon’s tourism industry has been left in ruins by nearly a decade of separatist conflict in its English-speaking regions. At the Seme Beach Hotel in Limbe, once bustling with tourists and business travellers, the contrast could not be starker. “This parking…
OSAKA, Sept 26, 2025 – Penang has its eyes set on Japan’s Kansai Region, as the state continues to pursue Japanese travellers with its “Not The Penang That You Know” tourism campaign. Following a successful stop in Tokyo, the Penang delegation led by State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy Wong Hon Wai brought…
RIYADH: International soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Saudi Arabia’s newest tourism campaign, with the kingdom aiming to attract international visitors with a mix of history, culture and modern entertainment. Unveiled under the title “I Came for Football, I Stayed for More”, the campaign not only places Saudi Arabia in the sporting spotlight but also…
TAIPEI: Taiwan is stepping up efforts to attract more international visitors by introducing new routes, nature trails and island experiences to encourage travel beyond its capital. Deputy director-general of the Taiwan Tourism Administration, Huang Shih-Fang, said tourist arrivals reached 4.2 million in the first half of this year, up 10% from the same period in…
SEOUL: Starting Sept 29, Chinese travellers on organised group tours will be able to enter South Korea without a visa for up to 15 days, under a temporary visa-waiver programme that will run until June 30 next year. The measure was jointly announced by the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry…
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong has vowed to tighten security in the country’s popular tourist zones following a shocking assault on two Malaysian visitors in Bangkok. Expressing deep regret over the incident, Sorawong said he had ordered the Tourist Police and other relevant agencies to provide urgent aid and close protection for the…
WASHINGTON – In a move that could reshape international travel to the United States, the U.S. government is set to launch a pilot program requiring certain visa applicants to post bonds of up to USD15,000, in a bid to curb visa overstays. Effective August 20, the program gives American consular officers the discretion to impose…
TOKYO: Japan welcomed a record 21.5 million visitors in the first half of the year, up 21 per cent from the first half of last year, despite a sharp drop in tourists from Hong Kong due to prevailing speculations of a strong earthquake. According to figures released by the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) on…
Bali, Indonesia – May 3, 2025 — A massive power outage plunged the entire island of Bali into darkness at approximately 4:00 PM local time on Friday, severely disrupting daily life and tourism operations. The blackout, attributed to a suspected fault in the undersea Java-Bali transmission cable, caused major disruptions as traffic lights failed and…
