Here’s a 60-second speed-read of Asia Travel Re:Set Issue #95 – All This Happened in Asia Pacific Travel & Tourism This Week!, published on 25 September 2022.
It was an eventful seven days for travel and tourism in Asia Pacific. This week’s newsletter covered the reopening announcements in Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Plus, it featured the latest from China and Macau, and the introduction of a new sustainable tourism fee in Bhutan.
Read Asia Travel Re:set Issue #95 in full HERE
1) Japan Prepares to Reopen
Against a dour economic backdrop of a falling currency and high inflation, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida chose New York (he was attending the UN General Assembly this week) to announce the full resumption of (quota-free, visa-free) inbound travel from 11 October. Timed for the lucrative winter season, Japan has identified 22 priority markets to help rebuild its visitor economy over the coming months.
2) Taiwan Opens Its Borders With “0 + 7”
Taiwan announced its new “0+7” policy, which will reopen the country for travel on 13 October. Quarantine will be eliminated for visitors, but they must undergo seven days of “self-health monitoring” after arriving. A rapid antigen test must be taken on Day 0 (arrival) or Day 1. If safely concluded with a negative result, no further test would be required.
3) Hong Kong Tentatively Reopens With “0 + 3”
Gradual travel progress in Hong Kong, as it set out a “0 + 3” scenario, which is more complex under closer scrutiny. From 26 September, vaccinated arrivals will no longer need to undergo a three-day hotel quarantine. But a series of tests is required across seven days. This includes the first three days of waiting at the hotel for a negative PCR test result before visitors can enter restaurants, bars and gyms.
4) Macau to Welcome Back Chinese Tour Groups
The Macau government said individual e-visas and group tours will gradually resume for residents of four provinces in Mainland China – Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangsu – plus Shanghai “by the end of October or by early November.” This follows the suspension of e-visa and group travel from China after Macau entered a lockdown in July.
5) Bhutan Introduces Daily Sustainable Development Fee
The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan reopened to tourists on 23 September. On that date, Bhutan – which describes itself as “the first carbon-negative country in the world” – introduced a new Sustainable Development Fee “to support development.” The USD200 per night fee for all visitors will be channelled into “various projects that enhance facilities, services and infrastructure for Bhutanese nationals and visitors, as well as funding free healthcare and education.”
This is a 60-second speed-read of Asia Travel Re:Set Issue #95 – All This Happened in Asia Pacific Travel & Tourism This Week, published on 25 September 2022.