Thai Tourism Is Beating Targets as Traditional New Year's Celebrations Attract Throngs

In recognition of their continued commitment to the travel advisor community, Scenic has announced a promotion that will reward one lucky advisor and their guest with the ultimate new year’s getaway: 13 days in Antarctica aboard the line’s newest Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse II.

Air India has entered into an interline partnership with Bangkok Airways that will allow the Tata Group-owned airline’s passengers connections to 10 Southeast Asian destinations beyond the Thai capital. 

The Honorable Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism for Jamaica has launched his new book, “Thought Leadership on Tourism, Resilience, and Sustainability in the 21st Century.” 

Thousands of Airbnbs and short-term rentals are about to be wiped off the map in New York City.

Amsterdam has dominated cannabis tourism for 40 years, but now it’s stepping back from this multibillion-dollar industry, creating opportunities for emerging marijuana destinations in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. New rules in the Dutch city’s central tourist area limit alcohol sales, require bars to close earlier, and impose a €100 ($107) fine for public marijuana smoking.

Changes are on the way for travelers planning a vacation to Venice, Italy. Starting in 2024, the city will begin charging daytrippers a tourism tax, the city council said Tuesday.

Airbnb and New York City have often had a tough relationship, one marked by lawsuits and other disputes. Airbnb has argued that New York City’s regulations have hurt its ability to do business, which the company believes will become more challenging when the city starts enforcing its host registration law regarding short-term rentals on September 5.

Southeast Asia’s tourist economies are set to be leading beneficiaries of China‘s scrapping of travel bans as they have steered clear of the COVID-19 tests before entry that Europe, Japan and the United States have imposed on Chinese visitors.

Macau has seen a resurgence of tourists from mainland China since January 8 after the special Chinese administrative region dropped all Covid-19 testing requirements for inbound travellers from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

South Korean and Japanese shop owners, Thai tour bus operators and K-pop groups are among those celebrating China’s border reopening as businesses around Asia rekindle ties with the region’s largest economy.

Some stores in via Montenapoleone, the heart of Milan’s most exclusive shopping area, are displaying clothes and accessories dedicated to the Lunar New Year after two years disrupted by the pandemic even though Chinese tourists are yet to return in big numbers.

Ireland is taking the next step in its comeback as the country’s tourism board recently unveiled a new $84 million marketing campaign with the goal of boosting visitor revenue beyond pre-pandemic levels.