BY Sarmind SafiDec 8, 2023

The most preferred destinations for tourists traveling within their country as well as abroad remain a matter of trend and fluctuations. But one country that has seen a huge surge in inbound tourists is Thailand. Especially Indians who want a small break. This growth comes from Thailand's latest visa policy that allows visa-free entry to its visitors, one of the nationals being Indians. Thailand's Bangkok has stolen this coveted spot from Dubai, according to Agoda, an online travel platform. They analyzed the trends based on hotel bookings on their application. Ever since the government of Thailand has permitted visa-free entry for many countries including India, the country has seen a 26% increase in searches on Agoda and Indian tourists have found their favorite escape. Other countries that have recently waived the visa requirements for tourists of various nationals include Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Both of these countries are seeing renewed interest from tourists. The report says, “When it comes to international travel choices, Indians consistently favour short haul destinations across the region. Chart topper Bangkok and fifth most popular destination Pattaya are poised to further strengthen their appeal, with the recent announcement of visa-free travel for Indians to Thailand.” The report also said that, “The rankings with the most booked destinations on Agoda underscore a distinct inclination among Indians for tried-and-tested destinations, showcasing a preference for all-time favourites that have lots to offer to any type of traveller and no matter how frequently they are visited." Krishna Rathi, Agoda's country director for India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka says, "2023 has been an incredible year for travel in India. Agoda search numbers reveal growth on all levels: domestic, inbound, and outbound. I am excited to see how this trend will shape the travel industry in 2024. "Bangkok has been followed by Dubai, then Bali in the third and Singapore in the fourth place. Read Also: Earthquake Of 6.9 Magnitude Leaves Philippines Jolted- 3rd Jolt In 2 Days Crime Rate In Florida Trending Down While California Skyrockets: Report World’s Most Famous Christmas Tree Has Reached Trafalgar Square

BY Sarmind SafiDec 14, 2023

Also known as the Oscars of the travel industry, the World Travel Awards Ceremony was hosted in Dubai, UAE on December 1st. At the event, the Philippines secured four major global recognitions. It also managed to retain its 2022 titles as the World's Leading Dive Destination and Beach Destination. For the first time, Manila has won the Leading City Destination and also received the Global Tourism Resilience Award. They aim to recognize Manila's “global leadership, pioneering vision and innovation to overcome critical challenges and adversity,” reported The Manila Times. The Philippines is reportedly one of only five countries and destinations in the world suggested for the inaugural award. According to World Travel Awards, the winners will be serving as benchmarks for implementing the best practices in tourism resilience. The additional global winners from the Phillipines for this year include Amanpulo, which has been honored as the World's Leading Dive Resort, and City of Dreams Manila which has been recognized as the Worlds Leading Fully Integrated Resort. In September the Philippines along with various resorts and hotels received top honors in the Asia Category of the 2023 World Travel Awards. The achievements were celebrated by the Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco who has highlighted the contributions of tourism to the country's economy. She said, “These accolades are as much a source of Filipino pride as they are a testament to the enormous contribution of tourism to the Philippine economy and global standing." Learn More About: Record-Breaking Holiday Travel Anticipated As TSA Prepares For Busy Season! The Italian Train Group FS Will Launch A New “Night Train Like Hotel”: Rome To Dolomites Chinese And US Presidents Have Come To A Common Ground Regarding Tourism Facilitation!

BY sagnika sinhaNov 20, 2023

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit organized in San Francisco, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed improving the air connectivity between the two countries and streamlining the visa process. The discussion continued at a dinner hosted by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the US-China Business Council. At this dinner, Chinese President Xi confirmed that the tourism ties between the two countries will improve. There have been claims made by President Chris Thompson, the president and CEO of the Brand USA. These claims inform that the U.S. cannot completely recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic without Chinese tourism. Complete Chinese tourism has not resumed! Factors such as weak air connectivity and long visa wait times impact the overall tourism sector worldwide, including the U.S. and China. According to reports, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Chinese tourists contributed heavily to the U.S. economy. The Chinese tourists spent about $15 million when visiting the U.S.! In a year, the average number of Chinese who visited the U.S. was about 2.5 million people, and the way they boosted the U.S. economy was nowhere near any other market. It is due to this reason that the U.S. is improving its tourism ties with the Chinese government! According to President Geoff Freeman of the U.S., the international side of tourism is also impacted by the irregular and disturbed tourism ties between China and the U.S. This change will affect the Travel Association, the company's CEO, worldwide. He spoke at the Skift Global Forum that the market Chinese tourists support in the U.S. will only be available here. Let's look forward to a developed relationship between China and the U.S., starting from tourism. Read Also: Zanzibar Or Oman: Which Do The Hungarian Tourists Like? Record-Breaking Holiday Travel Anticipated As TSA Prepares For Busy Season! Wheeling’s Holiday Celebrations Bring In Millions Of Dollars For The Local Economy From Tourists