Travel in Malaysia

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) projects a significant year of growth for Malaysia’s Travel & Tourism sector, with its economic contribution, employment, and domestic visitor spending expected to break all records this year.

In its latest move to attract international travelers, budget carrier IndiGo has entered into a codeshare agreement with Malaysian Airlines. In a codeshare agreement, partner airlines are able to sell seats in flights operated by the other carrier. 

Global Hotel Alliance, which runs a shared loyalty program for about 40 independent hotel brands, reported robust growth in the third quarter, with double-digit gains in performance across key measures.

On my recent trip to Hanoi, walking through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, I had no trouble finding comfort food: Indian restaurants were thriving in almost every lane. It was a stark contrast to my visit in 2019, when I struggled to find any. 

As a teenager who lived in a small town, I became obsessed with travel, collecting piles of books written by authors who'd traversed the globe under their own steam. I vowed to do the same and got a job at a bookshop to pay for it. There's nothing like working all hours to make you appreciate money, and I vowed not to waste a cent when I did get to see the world.

The global tourism industry is bouncing back in 2024. International arrivals increased 16% between January and August, compared to 2023, according to travel intelligence firm ForwardKeys. The company’s insights, presented at the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit in Perth, highlighted the pivotal role of the Asia-Pacific region in driving this resurgence.

Tourism Authority of Thailand has introduced an AI-driven initiative designed to boost spiritual tourism. “Mu Thua Thai Pai Kub AI” offers a modern twist on traditional astrology, aiming to personalize travel experiences.

China has now announced visa-free entry for citizens of 5 countries — Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, and Slovenia starting October 15. With this move, nationals from these countries can now visit China for up to 15 days without needing a visa.

Celebrity Cruises will sail its longest-ever cruise from Canada all the way to Asia in 2026, stopping in more than 50 destinations across multiple continents.

After Norway was added to China's visa-free list earlier in September, five more European countries have made the cut.

Travelers hoping to explore the world by sea have a new option — and on a newly refurbished vessel.

For all the buzz around India tourism, arrivals from foreigners in the first six months of 2024 were underwhelming: just under 4.78 million. That’s nearly 10% less than arrivals of 5.3 million in the same period in 2019.

In Georgia, where history is a roll call of conflicts, hello (‘Gamarjoba’) translates as ‘be victorious’. 

Since the dawn of time, the romance of railways has seduced poets, spellbound novelists, and dealt directors the perfect hand for capturing fleeting friendships, illicit affairs, and all manner of crimes and capers. A ticket is not just a permit to ride, it’s permission to trespass on the intimacies of other people’s lives. Trains bring us up close and personal—both inside and outside the carriage. On board, passengers chat politics in Finnish dining cars, clamber into couchettes above strangers on the Trans-Siberian, and share samosas on India’s many raucous mail trains. Outside, the world flashes by, a slideshow of rivers growing into oceans, deserts rising into mountains and cities sprawling then receding into darkness as the train thunders on through the night.

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Sep 20, 2024 • 6 min read

More Indian passengers are opting for direct international flights, according to aviation consultancy firm OAG. The firm compared data from 2019 with 2023, and found that even though India’s international air traffic last year was 600,000 lesser than 2019, the number of passengers flying directly to their destination increased by 2 million. 

Norway is the latest country to gain visa-free access to China.

New York City is home to the most connected airport in the United States, bridging the gap between the country and the rest of the world.

GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited has entered into an agreement with Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide to acquire Fraport’s 10% stake in the Delhi International Airport. With this, GMR will hold a 74% equity stake in the airport, while the remaining 26% stake will continue to be with Airports Authority of India (AAI). 

Norwegian citizens will no longer need a visa to enter China for visits up to 15 days. The policy shift sees China place Norway in a select group of nations as part of a wider relaxation of visa rules for inbound visitors.

Paul Baker, Atlantis Resorts. (Photo Credit: Atlantis Resorts)