Vietnam closed 2025 as one of Southeast Asia’s strongest performing inbound tourism markets, welcoming a growing number of international visitors and reinforcing its reputation as a diverse, high-value destination. Improved connectivity, favourable visa policies and strong demand from both regional and long-haul markets helped sustain momentum throughout the year. International Arrivals Maintain Upward Trajectory International arrivals to…
Thailand has taken a significant step towards greener travel with the launch of a new Sustainable Tourism Plan, setting out a clear roadmap for responsible tourism development in 2026. The plan focuses on reducing the environmental footprint of tourism while strengthening community involvement and long-term economic resilience. Key priorities include lowering carbon emissions across the travel sector,…
In 2025, Thailand reaffirmed its position as one of the world’s leading international tourism destinations, welcoming tens of millions of overseas visitors and generating strong tourism revenue despite a complex global travel landscape. The year was marked by the return of large-scale international travel, continued diversification of source markets and a notable rise in long-haul,…
Malaysia has officially launched its Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen international tourism and position itself for sustained growth over the coming years. The campaign, which came into effect on 1 January 2026, sets out an ambitious vision to showcase Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings, from vibrant cities and cultural…
In 2025, Malaysia’s inbound tourism sector continued its strong post-pandemic recovery, welcoming a growing number of international visitors and building momentum ahead of the launch of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. Improved air connectivity, targeted international marketing and renewed confidence in regional and long-haul travel all contributed to a very positive year for the destination. In this special end-of-year article, we look back…
Indonesia left the pandemic’s travel restrictions behind in 2025 and continued its robust rebound, driven by rising international arrivals, strengthened domestic travel and a strategic shift towards diversified destination promotion. With strong growth in key markets, a focus on sustainable travel and fresh product development, Indonesia closed out the year with confidence and optimism for 2026. In this end-of-year article, we revisit some of the…
In 2025, the Pacu Jalur Festival in Riau, Indonesia, went viral. With the international spotlight on Riau, this event demonstrated the power of cultural heritage to drive tourism growth, evidenced by one of Sumatra’s most exciting annual events. Held along the Kuantan River in Kuantan Singingi Regency in August 2025, the Pacu Jalur Festival – a traditional long-boat racing event with roots stretching back…
There’s plenty of good news coming out of Vietnam at the moment. Here are a few stories making the headlines: Vietnam Named Top Travel Destination for 2026 Vietnam is emerging as one of Asia’s most popular travel destinations in 2026, thanks to its unique blend of spectacular natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage and vibrant modern cities, according to…
A selection of bitesize stories and positive developments making the news in the Land of Smiles recently: Thailand Leads the World in Tourism In 2025, Bangkok most visited city status is more than just a title—it’s a reflection of the Thai capital’s magnetic pull for travellers worldwide. According to international tourism data, the city welcomed…
A selection of bitesize news stories currently making the headlines in Malaysia: Johor Implements New Hotel Tax for Tourists One of Malaysia’s most well-known states, Johor, is in the news for introducing a novel hotel tax that will have a direct impact on travellers. This new project, which is scheduled to start on 1 January 2026,…