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Tourism

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Tourism
Stories about leisure travel in Hong Kong, China, Asia, and around the world.
A lion dance group rehearses ahead of the 2025 Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong tourism chief targets more than 50 million visitors in 2026

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law optimistic about increase in tourist arrivals over Lunar New Year holiday.

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China travel

As diplomatic row drags on, how is Japan coping with a fall in Chinese tourists?

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China travel

China’s visa-free waivers spark Korean travel boom, underpin tourism revival

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Asia travel

Sit still and listen: inside Renaissance, a musical time capsule in Seoul

Renaissance, the classical music salon at the Arts Council Korea Artist House is packed with vintage vibes and digitised classical records.

Renaissance, a revived music salon in Seoul, South Korea, offers visitors a unique classical music experience. Photo: The Korea Times
China travel

Here are 5 ways to enter China without a visa – by land, sea or air

With more countries joining the visa exemption list and more points of entry for other passport holders, travel to China has never been easier.

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Singapore

Set-jetting to Singapore: how K-pop is driving new tourism push

Ticket sales for K-pop events in Singapore increased by about 250 per cent between 2022 and 2024.

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China property

Hang Lung flags ‘tough slog’ for property, looks to mainland malls for growth

Hong Kong developer says property segment recovery will be slow, but sees mainland retail and consumption offering the clearest upside.

Hong Kong developer Hang Lung is pinning its hopes on an uptick in mainland consumption. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore begins ban on ‘undesirable’ visitors, airlines to comply or face fine

Among such visitors barred from entering are those with a criminal record in Singapore or who pose a threat to public safety.

Thailand

Will Thai tourism ambassador Blackpink’s Lisa help lure Chinese visitors back?

Chinese visitor arrivals slumped by nearly 30 per cent last year amid concerns over safety, the border war with Cambodia and the strong baht.

TV shows and streaming video

YouTube star IShowSpeed shows ‘another Africa’ on his 20-country tour

African-American influencer has busted cliches by showing a continent ‘on the move’ during his trip, which has resonated with fans at home.

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American YouTube, Instagram and Twitch megastar IShowSpeed meets fans in Accra, Ghana, during his Africa tour. The influencer has shown a modernising continent, and has taken in the odd football match along the way. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s ‘free mixing’ water musical festival angers Islamic party

The Islamic party opposes the Bukit Bintang event in May, citing cultural sensitivities, disruption and ‘moral disturbance’.

Bukit Bintang is a major shopping hub in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock
Asean

Just 1 visa to rule them all? How European-style pass could help Asean tourism

While Asean members such as Malaysia and Vietnam have shown strong post-pandemic growth, tourist numbers have lagged in the Philippines.

TV shows and streaming video

Mostly unseen footage shows the crazy year building world’s first Disneyland

The new documentary Disneyland Handcrafted on Disney+ reveals just how fragile the creation of California’s Disneyland was.

China manufacturing

As World Cup boosts merch demand, China’s small-goods capital Yiwu stays wary

China sees a spike in orders from across the globe for footy-themed flags, scarves and wristbands but overall economic outlook is still weak.

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Fifa President Gianni Infantino holds a football next to the Fifa World Cup trophy as he attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22. Photo: Reuters
India

Nipah cases in India raise regional anxiety but experts say escalation unlikely

The virus’s high fatality rate has prompted precautionary measures across Asia, even as analysts say the outbreak remains limited.

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Quarantine doctors monitor thermal screening of passengers from India at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday after Thailand increased health checks due to Nipah virus cases in West Bengal. Photo: AP
Japan

Why Japan’s public is ‘happy’ to see a Chinese tourist drought

Travel operators say business has so far remained resilient, with strong demand from other parts of Asia, Europe and the US.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong eyes bigger marathon with egg waffles and milk tea to cheer runners

Tourism chief Rosanna Law says government open to expanding Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon capacity or turning it into two-day event.

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Malaysia

As Malaysian ringgit strengthens, Singapore shoppers in Johor reap less savings

The ringgit’s appreciation is also bad news for Malaysian export-oriented sectors, such as gloves and electronics, analysts say.

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A woman counting several notes of the Malaysian ringgit. The currency has risen against the Singapore dollar in recent trading sessions. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

‘Cruellest’ practice: Elephant rides banned in Bali parks over welfare concerns

Asian countries, such as Cambodia and India, have ended commercial elephant rides due to the same concerns.

European travel

Taste Sweden’s delicious ‘blue food’ fresh from the sea on boat tours

From oysters and mussels to superfood seaweed, Sweden’s west coast is a treasure trove of ‘blue food’ – sustainable aquatic produce.

Hong Kong tourism

Blackpink lifts mainland Chinese arrivals in Hong Kong to January weekend record

Hotel and retail industry leaders say authorities should explore more cultural tie-ups to promote the Hong Kong brand, heritage.

Blackpink fans gather at Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Elson Li
Asia housing and property

The View | Why Thailand, India and Japan’s hotel sectors deserve a closer look

Thailand’s resilience in the face of an eventful 2025, India’s uneven boom in branded hotel supply and Japan’s record visitor numbers amid a row with China are deserving of attention.

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Tourists dressed in traditional Thai attire visit the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 19. Despite the multiple challenges it faced, the land of smiles still managed to welcome 33 million tourists last year. Photo: EPA
Mainland China

China needs silver and young spenders, plus policy support, for growth: HSBC

Longest Lunar New Year holiday ever will provide a tailwind, but growth could falter without more supportive measures, analysts say.

Video gaming

How Seoul became the world’s esports capital and attracts fans from across Asia

Tickets at venues like LCK Arena sell out fast as fans travel to South Korea’s capital to see the best play games such as League of Legends.

History

Exhibition of love letters from history, from spies to poets and royalty

The London exhibition includes a letter from Oscar Wilde’s lover asking Queen Victoria for a pardon and King Edward VIII’s abdication letter.

A letter written by Robert Dudley to Queen Elizabeth I is part of an exhibition titled Love Letters at the National Archives in London. Photo: AP
Japan

As Muslim tourism grows, can Japan adapt to travellers’ prayer needs?

In places where purpose-built prayer rooms are not feasible, experts say flexibility is vital to enhance visitor experience.

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A Muslim woman prays in the prayer room at the World Exposition in Osaka, Japan, last year. Photo: Kyodo
Hong Kong entertainment

Blackpink fever hits Hong Kong as Rosé delights in local snack on way to stage

Thousands of fans from the city and beyond pack Kai Tak Stadium as the girl group kick off the final leg of their record-breaking Deadline world tour.

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China travel

Foreigners flock to China’s ice and snow sights, with 130% inbound tourism spike

Freezing temperatures will not dampen the spirits of snow seekers, as China cements its reputation as the world’s ultimate winter playground.

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