Thailand is charting a bold new course in national tourism policy by shifting its focus from sheer visitor numbers to quality-led, value-driven tourism development. This emerging approach, set to shape Thailand’s tourism landscape through 2026 and beyond, prioritises memorable experiences, sustainability and meaningful engagement over record arrival figures. For decades, Thailand’s tourism success was measured by volume: millions…
Bangkok is set to welcome art, creativity and design aficionados from across the globe this month, as the city’s much-anticipated Bangkok Design Week (BKKDW) returns for its ninth edition. Running from 29 January to 8 February, this free, city-wide festival is set to transform Bangkok into a vibrant crossroads of innovation, visual storytelling and cultural expression. With a theme titled “DESIGN S/O/S”, Bangkok Design…
Malaysia has officially launched an ambitious, year-long calendar of events and celebrations to support the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, signalling a nationwide push to showcase the country’s cultural diversity, creativity and warm hospitality to the world. With festivals planned across major cities and regional destinations, the campaign aims to drive sustained tourism growth while celebrating Malaysia’s multicultural identity. …
Penang stands out as one of Southeast Asia’s must-visit destinations in 2026, earning international recognition from the likes of CNN and the New York Times on their respective lists of the best places to visit this year. But what makes Penang so special, and why did it make the cut ahead of so many other hotspots in Malaysia and beyond? In this article, we profile…
In 2026, Yogyakarta is carving out a new niche in Indonesia’s vibrant travel landscape as wellness tourism emerges as a defining trend for the historic region. Long celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and traditional arts, Yogyakarta is now attracting visitors seeking deeper wellbeing experiences that balance physical health, mental calm and spiritual connection. Wellness tourism — travel centred…
Bali has been named the World’s Best Travel Destination for 2026 by TripAdvisor, marking a historic milestone for the Indonesian island as it clinches first place in the platform’s prestigious Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Destinations 2026. This achievement reflects global travellers’ overwhelmingly positive reviews and Bali’s enduring international appeal. For the first time…
There’s plenty of good news coming out of Vietnam at the moment. Here are a few stories making the headlines: Vietnam Tourism Enters New Growth Phase After strong results in 2025, when Vietnam ranked among the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations and welcomed more than 20 million international visitors, the government has set ambitious goals…
A selection of bitesize stories and positive developments making the news in the Land of Smiles recently: Thailand Targets 36.7 Million Foreign Tourists in 2026 TAT has prepared several tourism promotion campaigns aiming to attract 36.7 million foreign visitors and 210 million domestic trips in 2026, targeting 3 trillion baht in revenue. Thailand ended 2025 with…
A selection of bitesize news stories currently making the headlines in Malaysia: Malaysia’s Tourism Sector Breaks Records in 2025, Targets New Milestones in 2026 Malaysia’s tourism industry has set new benchmarks in 2025, welcoming an astounding 42 million visitors, far surpassing expectations. This remarkable achievement has encouraged the government to consider raising its target for…
A few bitesize news stories and tourism developments making the headlines in Indonesia in recent weeks: Indonesian Tourism Exceeds 2025 Targets Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana reported that Indonesia’s tourism industry delivered strong results in 2025, with foreign tourist arrivals expected to surpass the government’s target of 15 million. Speaking before Commission VII of the House of Representatives (DPR)…