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 19, 2023

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is looking to grow its tourism arrivals into the country to  5.5 million within the next 5 years as it is about to reach out to private sector players for collaborative efforts to take the country to the global stage. KTB chairperson Francis Gichaba has disclosed that the tourism sector is back on full recovery pointing out that the arrivals by the end of this financial year will be closing at slightly over 1.9 million visitors that was recorded in 2019. Gichaba has revealed, “We are very optimistic that with the support from the private sector and other key players in the industry, our performance will even surpass the 2019 arrivals to over 2 million and progressively beyond." He was delivering a speech at Bomas of Kenya during a tourism stakeholders meeting that brought under the same roof tour operators, hoteliers, government agencies and tourism associations. The session sought to validate KTB's 5-year strategic plan for 2023-2028. In the strategy, KTB is targeting to achieve 5.5 million international tourist arrivals and grow the tourism industry's contribution to the economy of Kenya to KES 1 trillion each year by June 2028. Gichaba said destination marketing has been a collaborative exercise noting that the involvement of the private sectors in the development of strategy which was one of the ways of incorporating invaluable ideas that would shape the sector's performance within the review period. Kenya Hotel Keepers Association and Caterers (KAHC) CEO Mike Macharia suggested to the private players to curate their products and travel experiences to the needs of the market. He said, “We talk of Africa as the low-hanging fruit in terms of numbers and market share in the country and therefore the product owners should package their products and experience and sell to Africa. This move would also open opportunities for Africans to invest in the hospitality sector in Kenya... We have to go where the market is, and this is what our competitors such as South Africa have beaten us on. They have invested heavily in market presence not only to build brand awareness but to sign marketing deals." Read Also: Manila Wins Big At World Travel Awards 2023, Crowned World’s Top City Destination Celebrations Have Begun At Oaga, Art Resort, Maldives: Report Burger King Is Giving Away Free Food All Month

BY Sarmind SafiNov 3, 2023

Vietnam is “the best tourism position” in Southeast Asia because of its political stability. However, the country should do better in the field of destination management. A Singaporean expert has remarked. Honorary President of the Singapore Institute of Tourism Management Wong Soon-hwa said at a conference held on Monday, "Vietnam is best positioned in Southeast Asia for tourism industry development. Vietnam is a safe destination thanks to its stable political situation, which is always a top priority for foreign investors.” Wong pointed out that Vietnam has a huge land area of about 331,000 square kilometers and an equally large population of nearly 100 million people. It is perfect for creating a pool of human resources for the tourism service industry. Vietnam is rich in natural resources, cultural heritage, and incredible cuisine. Tourists love it, according to Wong. The Vietnamese government has recently relaxed visa policies. They are offering a 3-month tourist visa for all nationals around the globe. They are also extending visa-free stays to 45 days for some of its biggest tourism markets like Japan, South Korea, and Western European economies. Vietnam, however, is lagging behind with the tough competition that Thailand and Malaysia are providing. Until October, Vietnam managed to welcome 10 million international tourists. In contrast, Thailand received more than 21.5 million. Wong has pointed this out and advised that Vietnam needs to manage its destinations more effectively. Singapore’s Sentosa Island, which is much smaller than Phu Quoc, attracts more than 20 million tourists every year. It also includes a good number of domestic visitors. Vietnam can learn from Sentosa’s development model to develop the quality of domestic destinations. The government needs to provide infrastructure, human resources, and a quick approval process so investors can get started. When working on tourism, Vietnam will have to think about the needs of domestic visitors, according to Wong. Every destination must attract not only domestic but also international tourists. Wong cited examples of Disneyland and Paris that can thrive on international visitors alone. Read Also: Muslim Miss Universe Queens Are The New Faces Of The Philippines’ Halal And Wellness Tourism Campaign Sri Lanka Has Approved Visa-Free Entry For Visitors From Six Countries Including India Best Tourism Villages In The World 2023