Thailand is inviting remote workers and digital nomads to not only visit, but to stay a while with its new extended visa program.
03.06.2024 - 06:17 / breakingtravelnews.com
Sixty years ago, a catchy tune and a whimsical boat ride debuted at the 1964 World’s Fair before moving to Disneyland in 1966. At a time when air travel was still a luxury, its miniature landscapes offered people a glimpse into the world. Americans saw the temples of Thailand and the carnivals of Brazil. “It’s a Small World” wasn’t just a boat ride; it was a portal for discovery.
Today, that small world has become a reality. Around four billion people fly every year to experience new places, meet loved ones, and do business. Affordable travel has opened up even the most remote corners of the globe. From trekking through the ancient Inca empire to sailing along the glaciers of Antarctica, travel is an integral part of the human experience.
Tourism is also critical to prosperity. Data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows that the sector contributes over US$10 trillion dollars to the global economy each year, creates 330 million jobs, fostering cultural exchange and enhancing our understanding on a scale that could only be imagined in a fairground ride 60 years ago. The iconic “Small World” song with its simple yet profound message of harmony reminds me that, despite our differences, we are all part of the human family.
I’ve seen this in my own travels. Visiting new places and meeting new people has shown me that tourism is not just about seeing sights and monuments. It is about understanding different ways of life, appreciating cultures, embracing diversity and celebrating unity.
That is what made the COVID-19 pandemic so disorienting and tragic. Overnight, once vibrant communities became deserted tourist sites, empty airports, and shuttered businesses. Our world, so open, was suddenly closed.
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As we rebuild, we need to make sure we’re never unprepared again. We need strong public health infrastructure, well-funded scientific research, and a commitment to technology in developing nations. As the World Health Organisation Director-General said, “nobody is safe until everybody is safe.”
But that’s not all. This week, governments around the world will gather at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. This is our opportunity to create a unified plan – a pandemic treaty – to prioritise global health and make sure we are never again unprepared for crisis. Countries must come together to guarantee testing, digital vaccination certificates, and a fair distribution of medical resources to keep us moving during the next disaster. And to ensure health checks are universally aligned, countries should join the WHO’s Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN), allowing seamless verification across borders.
A pandemic treaty and participation in the GDHCN are essential to ensure the
Thailand is inviting remote workers and digital nomads to not only visit, but to stay a while with its new extended visa program.
Think of Goa and what comes to mind? Beaches, nightlife, and parties. Goa’s Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte welcomes this image, but he wants travelers to see beyond it.
China is opening its doors even wider to the world. Australia is now the latest country to join China’s expanding visa waiver program.
Balancing a local voice with a global perspective is paramount across all of Conde Nast Traveler's eight global editions. And we recognize that travel is one of the most encompassing industries in the world, influenced by endemic players including hotels and cruise lines, but increasingly, by fashion, design, wellness and more. As such, we are thrilled to announce our second-ever Global Advisory Board, comprised of thought leaders and tastemakers from a range of sectors, backgrounds and countries, to help direct our global brand on the issues influencing travel and travelers right now. Consider these experts, who range from inclusivity advocates to conservation pioneers, a lens through which we will continue to shape all our coverage on travel in the coming years. Our board members will engage in editor-hosted panels on topics including wellness in travel and global travel forecasts; participate in public-facing events; and guide our teams where appropriate. Learn about the 13 members, below. You may even recognize a few names from last year.
Thailand has long been a popular homebase for digital nomads - but they haven’t been officially welcomed, until now.
On the margins of the Resilience and Innovation Summit now underway in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, met with senior representatives of leading global sustainable development firm, Chemonics International, in a bid to forge a major partnership for the upcoming Global Tourism Resilience Day in 2025.
DALLAS - The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) announced at the 2024 Travel Advisor Conference that it would be making changes to its Verified Travel Advisor Certification program.
The Oneworld alliance is getting a new full-fledged member in the South Pacific. Within the next year, Fiji Airways will become a full member of the global alliance, Oneworld leaders announced Monday.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous tourist destination on the shores of Bay of Bengal near Chennai is now a ‘Green Destination’. Having completed the one-year-long engagement phase of data collection and documentation, the destination of Mamallapuram has officially become part of the awards and certification program.
From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the glittering temples of Chiang Mai and the tropical island paradise of Phuket, Thailand has always had something for every type of traveler.
Hotel management company expands social responsibility commitment through new procure impact pledge and partnership.
Mirai reports a significant decrease in direct hotel bookings and Google Hotel Ads traffic in the EU due to DMA implementation.