The Year of Easier Travel in Asia
Skift Take
The Most Important Story: 2024
These are the headlines that drove the conversation in the travel industry in 2024 and will continue to dominate in the new year. See all storiesTravel in Asia is back. The region is leading global tourism recovery in 2024 with international arrivals surging to pre-pandemic levels in many destinations.
Popular tourist hubs like Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia are reporting record visitor numbers, buoyed by pent-up demand and targeted policy changes. However, one factor is helping make this rebound even stronger: a wave of relaxed visa rules across the region.
For decades, visa requirements have been a blocker for travelers, complicating trips and deterring tourism growth. This year, however, Asia led the way in rewriting the rules of cross-border travel. Countries like Malaysia, China, and Thailand have spearheaded initiatives to ease visa processes, having embraced bold visa-free policies. These changes are more than bureaucratic adjustments — they represent a seismic shift in how nations court global tourists while bringing in steady tourism dollars.
Everybody Loves the Indian TravelerIndia’s rising outbound tourism has caught the world’s attention. Countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka have introduced visa waivers specifically targeti
