News in Asia

Japan's plan to draw 40 million tourists a year by 2020 may fail due to tensions with South Korea and mass riots in Hong Kong.

During the first 10 days after introducing tourist visas, Saudi Arabia has already welcomed 24,000 tourists what shows a great interest to the country as a tourist destination from the world travellers.

Potala Palace, a dzong fortress and a World Heritage Site since 1994 located in the city of Lhasa, in China's Tibet Autonomous Region, will offer free admission to visitors from October, 15, 2019 through March, 15, 2020.

New direct flights are launched between cities in China and South Korea, Japan in October–November 2019.

Changi travellers now have an opportunity to visit Indonesia without leaving the airport in Singapore: some of Indonesia's most popular tourist destinations are currently being promoted with an interactive virtual reality (VR) Xperience Wonderful Indonesia Hub at Changi Airport.

Lion Air, a Jakarta-based low-cost airline from Indonesia and the country's largest air carrier, started offering direct flights between Makassar and Manokwari.

Survey says that Kuala Lumpur boasts the cheapest public transport in the region offering a much more budget-friendly way to explore the city by bus or rail compared to Singapore, Bangkok or Phuket.

Resorts World Genting, a huge entertaining complex comprising hotels, theme parks, shopping malls and casinos in Genting Highlands, Malaysia, is hosting the first Starlight Carnival this month.

On October, 12, the island of Phu Quoc, Vietnam hosted the Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony of the 26th World Travel Awards. And here are some of the winners we'd like to make you acquainted with.

The government will spend USD200 million to give a facelift to infrastructure in Sihanoukville, Cambodia's prime beach destination. In the frames of the eight-month project 34 street will be repaved.

Taiwan's 2019 Kungshen Wangye’s Salt for Peace Festival is scheduled for October 26–27. It will take place in Tainan, the former island's capital on Taiwan’s southwest coast.

Admission fee for the observation deck on the 89th floor of Taiwan's famous Taipei 101 skyscrapper reduced 6-fold from NT$600 (slightly under USD20) to TN$101 (approximately USD3.27) from October, 10 till December 31 this year. But only for Taiwanese citizens, alas.

Ukhrul district in Manipur, India, is preparing for the third edition of Shirui Lily Festival to celebrate the beauty of the flowers in full bloom. The three-day event will be held between October 16–19.

Thai VietJet Air, a Thai low-cost airline and an associate company of Vietnamese airline VietJet Air, has revealed their plans to launch two new direct routes from Udon Thani, the sixth most populous city in the country located in the Northeast.

No more trackside cafes on Hanoi's famous train street – all the cafes were ordered to shut down effective from today, October, 12.

The Indian States of Jammu and Kashmir removed all travel restrictions on October, 10. The decision to withdraw the advisory was taken by the state governor after a situation-cum-security review meeting with the advisers and the chief secretary of J&K.

Hanoi's outdoor spectacle The Quintessence of Tonkin, or Tinh Hoa Bắc Bộ, has recently received a special prize at The Guide Awards 2019.

From October 10, Vietnam Airlines offer Wi-Fi on selected flights. Now passengers travelling on several routes of the airline are able to enjoy wireless internet connection during their flights.

San Miguel Corporation in the Philippines has submitted a proposal to build a bridge that will connect Boracay island to Caticlan City located on the 'mainland' Panay Island and is now waiting for the government's approval.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Philippines joined hands with Guide to the Philippines, an e-commerce site, to launch its official travel booking system, featuring DOT-accredited tour operators and establishments.