News

Malaysia Takes UNESCO Heritage and Island Escapes to British Travellers With UK Roadshows.

With the efforts being put forward by Malaysia, Langkawi is able to promote its UNESCO Global Geopark status, stunning scenery, and the experience it offers, in an effort to attract more visitors from Britain. Langkawi is playing its part in building up the international appeal of Malaysia’s tourism industry through its efforts to attract more British holiday makers. The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) was one of the participants in Tourism Malaysia’s UK Roadshow 2026 which was held in Manchester on October 28 and London on October 30. This event helped to highlight the spectacular natural scenery, UNESCO Global Geopark status, cultural sites, and unique experiences offered by Langkawi. Langkawi is expanding its international tourism promotion activities with a renewed focus on the United Kingdom. The Malaysian island destination participated in Tourism Malaysia’s UK Roadshow 2026 to introduce its tourism attractions to British travel professionals. The promotional events took place in Manchester on 28 October and London on 30 October 2026. The Langkawi Development Authority joined the initiative to develop relationships with travel agents, tour operators and other tourism businesses.

Read more

Indonesia Sparks a New Wellness Tourism Wave as Bali and Java Prepare for Global Expansion.

Indonesia plans to tap into the multi-billion dollar wellness tourism market through the creation of curated wellness routes across Central Java—concentrated in cultural epicenters like Solo and Yogyakarta—while expanding investments in Bali and highlighting authentic cultural healing to attract global travelers. Through a newly developed national roadmap spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism, the country aims to elevate its position in the rapidly expanding global wellness travel space. Rather than relying exclusively on luxury resort stays, the strategy connects traditional herbal medicine (jamu), spiritual retreats, and indigenous wellness philosophies with sustainable local enterprise and economic growth across the archipelago. The initiative was announced during a press conference in Jakarta on 30 October 2026. It forms part of the government’s wider ambition to encourage high-quality tourism and introduce visitors to experiences beyond conventional sightseeing. The proposed roadmap will identify wellness destinations, tourism products, service providers and businesses operating across Indonesia.

Read more

Vietnam Remains Cambodia’s Top Feeder Market as Regional Travel Patterns Shift.

Vietnam is leading inbound tourism for Cambodia despite falling 28%, as foreigners’ visitations plunge by 44%. It is rare in the travel industry that such an irony will ever be seen anywhere else in Southeast Asia. This unique irony of inbound travels is being played out by the travel industry in Southeast Asia at present. Vietnam has officially taken on the distinction of becoming the single largest number of tourists entering Cambodia from other countries. However, the reality behind this statistical glory is a harsh economic truth: the outbound tourists from Vietnam have inflicted a massive blow to the Kingdom of Wonder by plunging 28%. Over the first nine months of the year, Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism documented an unprecedented contraction of 43.7% in total foreign arrivals. The Kingdom welcomed just 2.46 million international visitors between January and September, a collapse from the 4.37 million arrivals registered during the corresponding period just twelve months earlier. This net deficit of more than 1.91 million cross-border voyagers has rattled Phnom Penh’s hospitality corridors, hollowed out boutique enclaves in Siem Reap, and forced macro-financial institutions to recalibrate the nation’s entire macroeconomic outlook.

Read more

Phuket Backs Thailand’s US$118 Billion Tourism Revenue Target to Spread Growth Across the Country.

Phuket sets the tone for the $118.6B tourism program in Thailand, leading the charge in premium tourism to equalize wealth within the region. The Kingdom of Thailand finds itself on the brink of an economic revolution. Referred to timelessly as the king of Southeast Asian tourism, the country is now making a decisive shift in its tourism strategy from mass tourism to premium tourism. The upcoming Fourth National Tourism Development Plan (2028-2032), formulated by the National Tourism Policy Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, sets a monetary target of at least THB 4 trillion, which translates to roughly $118.6B. Crucially, this landmark target is not merely about accumulating top-line foreign receipts. It serves as an architectural blueprint designed to dismantle Thailand’s severe geographical wealth disparity. At present, roughly 70 percent of all tourism earnings are tightly pooled across just five primary provinces: Bangkok, Phuket, Chonburi, Surat Thani, and Chiang Mai.

Read more

Dubai Aims for More Visitors With a New Loyalty Programme for Repeat Travel and VIP Hospitality.

Dubai has made it possible to get 5-year visas in exchange for membership in a loyalty program, thus redefining repeat visitation and VIP treatment. Dubai has officially announced the start of a new era in destination management in terms of launching the first loyalty program of a citywide scale in the whole world. This unique approach is driven under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and it turns the conventional traveler experience into a holistic one. In November 2026, the plan will become fully operational. Rather than treating tourism as a series of isolated vacations, the emirate is actively courting lifelong engagement. By fusing digital immigration pipelines with elite hospitality networks, the city is pioneering a frictionless environment designed to convert casual holidaymakers into sustained, long-term brand advocates.

Read more

Sri Lanka Inspires Luxury Travel as Taj Hotels Showcases Bentota’s Beauty and Colombo’s Spirit.

Sri Lanka is offering luxury travelers an immersive destination with jaw-dropping coastal scenery, a rich culture and exciting urban experiences. Taj Hotels is showcasing two unique destinations in Bentota and Colombo. Taj Bentota Resort & Spa and Taj Samudra, Colombo combine relaxing tropical beach escapes with the energetic feel of the island’s capital city. Guests can enjoy stunning views over the Indian Ocean, outstanding culinary experiences, historical buildings, wildlife and exciting shopping. Enjoying great savings and exclusive offers by taking advantage of Suite Surprises throughout the year makes a luxury holiday in Sri Lanka even more appealing. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Indian Ocean, Taj Bentota Resort & Spa provides a tranquil retreat for travellers seeking relaxation, coastal scenery and memorable dining experiences. Surrounded by tropical landscapes, the resort combines contemporary comforts with architectural elements inspired by Sri Lanka’s colonial heritage.

Read more