As part of a wider strategy to promote sustainable tourism in the archipelago, Indonesian officials are ramping up their efforts to promote the so-called ‘big five’ or ‘super priority’ attractions in locations nationwide – Lake Toba, Borobudur, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo and Likupang. The overarching aim is to attract a new generation of discerning, environmentally minded…
Starting from 1 January 2025, travellers all over the world can now apply for a Thai e-Visa through the official government website. The initiative is designed to simplify the visa application process, making it more accessible, efficient and user-friendly. This global rollout will activate the electronic visa system (e-Visa) across all 94 Royal Thai Embassies…
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced plans to attract 40 million foreign arrivals in 2025, generating 2.8 trillion baht in revenue in the process. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong has also confirmed the government will leverage its “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025” campaign to achieve these targets, which represent…
Eco-tourism continues to grow in popularity among international travellers, who are increasingly looking for ethical, authentic and nature-connected experiences with an emphasis on responsible interactions. In response to this trend, Tourism Malaysia is working to expand its sustainable tourism offerings nationwide, with Sabah leading the way in the country’s green tourism evolution. According to Assoc…
Globally renowned Misfits Festival has confirmed its long-awaited debut in Malaysia this April. One of the biggest electronic music events in the festival calendar, the festival is set to appear in Malaysia for the very first time. For travellers with a love of music and good times, the event promises an unforgettable experience, with a…
The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism has announced the country aims to attract between 14.6-16 million international visitors in 2025. Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, has also emphasised that effective marketing will be the key to maximising potential and increasing the attractiveness of Indonesian tourism on the global stage in the months ahead. According to…
Visitors to Indonesia are increasingly looking beyond Bali for their getaways and searching for areas of beauty and interest off the beaten track. One location that is growing in popularity is the Mandalika development project on the neighbouring island of Lombok. Located on the southern coast of Lombok, Mandalika has emerged as a premier destination…
There’s plenty of good news coming out of Vietnam at the moment. Here are a few stories making the headlines: Vietnam tourism set to boom with ‘Six Countries, One Destination’ plan A shared visa zone for the Southeast Asia region, similar to Europe’s Schengen visa mechanism, could be a game-changer for Vietnam’s tourism sector….
A selection of bitesize stories and positive developments making the news in the Land of Smiles recently: Foreign arrivals surge by 18.6 to start 2025 Foreign visitors to Thailand surged 18.63% to over 2 million in the post-New Year period, compared with the same time last year, the Tourism and Sports Ministry announced on…
A selection of bitesize news stories currently making the headlines in Malaysia: Malaysia confirmed as ‘Asia’s most loved country’ in 2024 Malaysia, voted Asia’s most-loved country in a survey last year, received 22.5 million foreign tourists excluding excursionists between January and November 2024, reflecting a 26% year-on-year increase. Singapore was the largest source of…