foreign visitors – Author Carlo Carrasco

Japan Selected as World’s 2nd Most Favorite Country for Tourists

October 24, 2026October 17, 2026carlocarrasco

Japan, which attracted over 42 million foreign tourists in 2025, has been voted as the world’s 2^nd Most Favorite Country for tourists in Condé Nast Traveller’s prestigious list of the world’s twenty best countries, according to a news article by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the VnExpress news article. Some parts in boldface…

Japan was named the world’s second most favorite country after Greece in British magazine Condé Nast Traveller’s list of the world’s 20 best countries, amid tourism declines and visa fee changes.

The Asian country received a score of 97.01 points out of 100, according to the annual Readers’ Choice Awards’ survey that asks travelers to rate countries on factors such as culture, attractions, cuisine, and overall experience.

“A tourism boom is bringing more visitors to experience its celebrated food scene, soothing onsens, seasonal cherry blossoms and high-speed trains that glide through some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. Yet even in a country steeped in heritage, there is always something new to discover, from futuristic attractions to fresh cultural experiences,” the magazine wrote.

Japan welcomed more than 27 million foreign visitors in the first eight months of 2026, down 2.7% from the same period last year, amid a steep decline from Chinese tourists, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

The Japanese government raised the single-entry visa fee for foreign nationals fivefold, from 3,000 to 15,000 yen, marking the first increase since 1978 amid inflation and a weaker yen, Kyodo News reported.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? When it comes to world travel, is Condé Nast Traveller your main reference for information and updates? If you were able to visit Japan over the past twelve months, how was your trip? Did you visit many cultural sites in Japan?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Portuguese Woman Apprehended in Thailand for Overstaying by 1,807 Days

October 22, 2026October 16, 2026carlocarrasco

Recently in Thailand, a woman from Portugal was arrested after she overstayed in the country by more than one thousand and eight hundred days, according to a news article by VnExpress. The Portuguese’s permission to stay in the country expired on January 11, 2021.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

A Portuguese woman was arrested in Phuket, Thailand, after police discovered she had overstayed her visa by 1,807 days.

The arrest took place on Oct. 13 when immigration officers inspected a restaurant in Koh Kaew, Muang Phuket, as part of a campaign targeting foreign nationals accused of immigration offenses, according to Khaosod English.

When asked for identification, she could not produce her passport, showing officers only a photograph of it on her phone.

Officers then used Thailand’s immigration biometric system to confirm her details, revealing that she had entered Thailand through Suvarnabhumi Airport on March 20, 2020, under a 30-day visa-exemption scheme and later received an extension.

Her permission to stay had expired on Jan 11, 2021. The suspect has been charged with remaining in the country illegally.

Under Thai laws, she faces up to two years in prison, a fine of up to 20,000 baht (US$596), or both for remaining in the country without permission.

According to The Phuket News, an immigration spokesperson said authorities are stepping up checks to find and arrest foreigners staying illegally in the country.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think there are still a lot of foreigners who overstayed in Thailand? What do you think is the main reason why foreigners overstayed there?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines Targets 6.4 Million International Tourist Arrivals this Year

October 19, 2026October 12, 2026carlocarrasco

The Philippines, which has been enduring economic weakness and high inflation for much of 2026, is targeting 6.4 million international visitor arrivals this year, according a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

To put things in perspective, international tourists/visitors is a reference to both foreign tourists and overseas Filipinos who arrived in the country. In 2025, the Philippines attracted 5.94 million foreign tourists and 543,000 overseas Filipinos which combine for a grand total of 6.48 million international tourists/visitors. That said, the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) target for 2026 technically the same when compared to what was achieved in 2025.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines expects tourist arrivals to remain flat at around 6.4 million this year amid more muted travel demand due to the ongoing fuel crisis, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay told reporters last week that the DOT expects international visitor arrivals to remain relatively unchanged from the 6.48 million recorded last year.

“6.4 [million] is our target because I was really super anxious about the fuel crisis and the accompanying higher airline fees, as well as the lower sentiment for traveling,” Angara-Mathay said.

Even against this backdrop, Angara-Mathay said tourist arrivals remain relatively strong, having posted 3.46-percent year-on-year growth as of Oct. 6.

The latest official DOT data showed that visitor arrivals from January to August inched up by 0.8 percent to 4.42 million from 4.38 million in the same period last year.

“I was afraid that it would go down, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think we’ll be able to match [last year],” Angara-Mathay said.

Given the expected boost in arrivals during the holiday season, the DOT still sees room for growth this year, especially if the government approves its proposed expansion of the visa-free scheme for Chinese tourists.

The DOT is pushing to expand visa-free coverage for Chinese nationals to other gateways in hopes of opening more flights between the Philippines and China beyond Manila and Cebu.

Chinese tourists are currently allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for stays of up to 14 days, provided they arrive through either Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) or Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

The current arrangement has already resulted in a surge in Chinese visitors this year, with arrivals nearly doubling to 303,567 as of end-August from 156,926 a year ago.

“There is a direct correlation with taking out that friction of the visa with [increased] travel. So hopefully, everyone’s on board, unfortunately one more agency needs to be convinced,” said Angara-Mathay.

While she did not identify the agency opposing the visa-free expansion, the DOT chief emphasized that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) are fully on board.

The DFA authorized visa-free entry for Chinese nationals earlier this year, while BI issued the implementing guidelines.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the tourism industry of the Philippines has what it takes to attract more than enough foreign tourists and returning overseas Filipinos to exceed the DOT’s 2026 target? Do you feel uncomfortable about the Philippine government’s effort to expand visa-free coverage for Chinese nationals to other gateways? Do you prefer to see the authorities focus more on attracting more travelers from Southeast Asia and Europe? What do you think are the three biggest problems of the tourism industry of the Philippines today?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Indonesia Attracts 10.5 Million Foreign Tourists in First 8 Months of 2026

October 18, 2026October 12, 2026carlocarrasco

Indonesia, the largest economy of Southeast Asia, successfully attracted 10.5 million foreign tourists during the January-August period this year, according to a news article by VnExpress.

If Indonesia maintains the current pace, its foreign tourist arrivals should reach 15.75 million by the end of 2026. The nation attracted 15.39 million foreign tourists last year and saw its tourism earnings reach 8.43 billion during the first half of this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Indonesia welcomed 10.58 million foreign tourists in the first eight months of the year, up 5.38% year-on-year, driven by a surge from visitors in Asia and Oceania.

The Southeast Asia’s largest economy received 1.6 million foreign tourist visits in August, up 6.27% from the same month in 2025.

From January to August, arrivals increased across several regional markets, led by other Asian regions at 8.41%, followed by Southeast Asia at 7.75% and Oceania at 7.36%. Visits from the Middle East rose 1.3% over the same period.

Indonesia has joined Malaysia and Vietnam in recording growth in international tourist arrivals, bucking a broader decline across regional destinations.

Malaysia recorded 28.8 million international visitors from January to August this year, up 1.8% year on year and retaining its crown as Southeast Asia’s most visited country.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Indonesia has a chance to attract 16 million foreign tourists by the end of this year? Have you decided recently to visit Indonesia over the next six months?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Leechiu Property Consultants Sees Lower Foreign Tourist Arrivals to the Philippines this Year

October 17, 2026October 12, 2026carlocarrasco

During its recent media briefing, property consultancy firm Leechiu Property Consultants Inc. (LPC) says it expects foreign tourist arrivals to the Philippines to be lower this year compared to what was achieved in 2025 due to factors like higher fuel prices and other factors, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Leechiu Property Consultants Inc. (LPC) expects foreign tourist arrivals to the Philippines to be lower this year compared with 2025 due to higher fuel costs and more expensive travel.

The number of tourists to the Philippines was flat at 4.4 million in the first eight months of 2026 compared with the same period last year after arrivals started to decline from May to August.

During LPC’s third-quarter media briefing last week, LPC senior manager of hotels, tourism, and leisure Adam Domingo said arrivals grew steadily in the first quarter, peaking at 12-percent growth in February, before momentum stalled in April and turned negative year-on-year from May onward.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran conflict doubled jet fuel prices, pushing up airfares and prompting flight cuts. Full-year arrivals are now expected to fall below 2025 levels.

“Unless we change how we do tourism at a basic level, foreign arrivals are likely to stay near today’s levels into next year,” noted Domingo.

He added, “The clearest evidence for what works comes from China and India. Where the Philippines made travel easier, through visa-free entry and additional direct flights, arrivals from both markets grew by more than 50 percent in the first quarter, and China has sustained that pace since February. Reducing travel friction produces results.”

The same logic shows up in the hotel pipeline, with about 70 percent of planned hotel rooms located in areas with direct international flights, which shows that private developers are building where access is strongest.

However, there is a gap as some destinations with strong private-sector commitment, such as Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province, are served by international airports that sit underused because they have no direct international routes.

“Developers are betting on these places, but travelers cannot yet fly to them directly. Government can match that commitment quickly by introducing direct international routes to these destinations. Compared with building or expanding airports, new routes can be put in place sooner and can lift arrivals faster,” said Domingo.

On domestic tourism, which earns four times what foreign travelers bring in, Domingo said, “we also need a closer look at the relocation of turboprop flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Clark. Island destinations that depend on turboprops report that business is down.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines will end up having lower foreign tourist arrivals this year compared to last year? Do you think the national government neglected the tourism industry this year due to its hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and meetings at the United Nations (UN)?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Singapore Leads Southeast Asia in Tourism Development

October 9, 2026October 3, 2026carlocarrasco

Singapore emerged as the best among the economies of Southeast Asia in the 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index of the World Economic Forum (WEF), according to a news report of VnExpress. Globally, Singapore ranked 13^th in a field of 110 economies.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Singapore ranked 13th among 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, the highest position among ASEAN.

The city state scored 4.89 points, up 3.4 percentage points from 2024 in the biennial ranking released on Friday by the World Economic Forum, an international advocacy non-governmental organization and think tank based in Switzerland.

Indonesia ranked at 23rd, followed by Malaysia at 26th, Thailand at 38th, Vietnam at 52nd, the Philippines at 57th, and Laos at 75th.

The index measures factors and policies that enable sustainable and resilient development of tourism like business environment, safety and health conditions, price competitiveness, air transport infrastructure, ground and port infrastructure, tourist services and infrastructure, natural resources, and cultural resources.

Singapore received high scores in business environment, safety and security, travel policy and enabling conditions, and infrastructure and services.

Singapore, the second largest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia by nominal GDP, is known for its strict laws and low crime rates. It has earned (its) reputation as one of the safest countries in Asia.

The city-state is ramping up investment in large-scale tourism infrastructure as it seeks to strengthen its position as a leading travel and business hub in Asia.

The government announced a S$740 million (US$584 million) tourism funding package, more than twice the S$300 million allocated under the Tourism Development Fund in 2024, in May to strengthen industry resilience until 2040.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you visited Singapore over the past twelve months? Do you think Singapore can keep innovating and improving itself on tourism development?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam Declared Asia’s Leading Destination of 2026

October 3, 2026September 29, 2026carlocarrasco

With its booming tourism industry and the economic gains it has achieved so far, Vietnam was named as Asia’s leading destination during the 2026 World Travel Awards beating the likes of regional rivals Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, according to a VnExpress news report. In fact, this is not the first time Vietnam achieved this particular honor and there were other awards won as well.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam has been named Asia’s leading destination at this year’s World Travel Awards, adding another tourism accolade to the country’s growing reputation.

It beat regional tourism hubs including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to retain the title for a sixth consecutive year.

A series of popular tourism hubs in Vietnam were also honored at different categories, the World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania organizers announced at a gala ceremony on Sunday.

Vietnam’s southern metropolis overtook Singapore, China’s Shanghai and Hong Kong to become “Asia’s leading business travel destination.”

Hanoi was named “Asia’s leading city break destination” while Tam Chuc Complex in the northern province of Ha Nam, around one hour and (30-minute) drive from the capital, was voted “Asia’s leading cultural tourist attraction.”

Ta Xua, one of the highest mountain peaks in Vietnam at over 2,800 m above sea level, was voted “Asia’s leading emerging tourism destination” for the first time. It has a cool climate all year round and is known as a cloud hunting destination from October to April.

Northern highlands town Moc Chau was named “Asia’s leading regional nature destination.” Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in central Vietnam was voted “Asia’s leading national park.”

The 900-square-kilometer national park, which UNESCO recognized as a global heritage site in 2003, is home to over 300 caves and grottoes that date back some 400 million years, including the world’s largest Son Doong.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam and its tourist sites deserved the tourism awards it received this year? Have you toured Vietnam extensively this year? What is the most astonishing tourism destination you have visited there in Vietnam? Do you think Vietnam still has a long way to go to solve its tourism labor shortage?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Indonesian Tourism Industry Earns $8.43 Billion in First Half of 2026

September 30, 2026September 22, 2026carlocarrasco

Indonesia, which attracted over fifteen million foreign tourists in 2025, saw its tourism industry earn $8.43 billion in the first half of 2026, according to a news article by VnExpress. The nation attracted 7.45 million foreign tourists in the same time period.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Indonesia’s tourism sector generated US$8.43 billion in foreign-exchange revenue in the first half of 2026, up 3% year-on-year, underscoring its growing contribution to the economy.

Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa said tourism remained an important driver of economic growth and a major source of foreign exchange for the country, Antara News Agency reported.

Last year, Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, earned $18.27 billion in tourism-related foreign exchange.

The country received 7.45 million foreign visitors in the first half of 2026, up 5.71% from a year earlier and the highest January-June total since the Covid pandemic, Jakarta Globe reported.

It is targeting 16-17 million international tourist arrivals this year.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Indonesia will be able to attract 16-17 million foreign tourists by the end of this year? Have you ever thought about visiting Indonesia and its many tourist sites?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Indonesia Imposes 10-Year Ban on Australian Tourist for Committing Public Sex Act in Bali

September 28, 2026September 22, 2026carlocarrasco

Authorities in Indonesia imposed a 10-year-ban on an Australian tourist who was recently deported for a public sex act committed in Bali, according to a news article by VnExpress. The said sex act was caught on CCTV.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

An Australian tourist arrested over a public indecency incident on Bali Island has been barred from entering Indonesia for 10 years.

The 28-year-old was deported last week on a Batik Air flight from Denpasar to Brisbane, about two weeks after his arrest at Ngurah Rai International Airport where he was due to board a flight to Brisbane, The Jakarta Post reported.

The deportation came as Indonesian immigration authorities stepped up efforts to maintain public order and security among foreign nationals living in or visiting Bali.

Indonesia’s Immigration Directorate General also imposed a 10-year entry ban on the tourist.

Police said he had engaged in sexual intercourse with an unidentified foreign woman in the yard of a Balinese house in Tibubeneng village, North Kuta district, Badung regency, on Aug. 22. The homeowner caught the pair in the act, Antara News Agency reported.

CCTV cameras at the house also recorded the incident.

The footage later went viral after the homeowner uploaded it to social media as a warning against behavior considered to bring negative energy, in accordance with Balinese Hindu beliefs.

The man could have faced imprisonment for the offense. However, police dropped the case after the homeowner forgave him and asked authorities to halt the legal proceedings.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you have been to Indonesia, did you witness unruly behavior committed by foreign tourists during your stay there? Do you think this development could cause a drop in the number of Australians visiting Indonesia?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Tourism Labor Shortage in Vietnam

September 24, 2026September 19, 2026carlocarrasco

As more foreign tourists keep arriving in Vietnam, some questions about the future of the nation’s tourism industry are being raised as a tourism labor shortage has been realized, according to a news article by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam’s tourism industry is racing ahead, with international arrivals hitting new highs, but the sector is facing a growing shortage of skilled workers, from hotel staff and chefs to foreign-language guides and senior managers.

The third most visited country in Southeast Asia after Malaysia and Thailand welcomed nearly 16 million international visitors in the first eight months of 2026, up 14.4% year-on-year, driving up demand across hotels, travel companies, transport, restaurants and tourist attractions.

A 2026 survey by Hoteljob.vn found that nearly 90% of tourism businesses planned to recruit.

In Ho Chi Minh City alone, 89.7% of businesses were hiring, while 71.8% said recruitment was difficult or very difficult. The biggest shortages were among frontline workers, particularly in housekeeping, engineering, food service, front-office operations, and kitchens.

The Politburo’s Resolution dated Aug. 22, along with the government’s action programme adopted on Sept. 7, set the target for tourism to directly contribute 10-12% of GDP by 2030, attracting 45-50 million international visitors and generate total revenue of US$80-90 billion.

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang are envisioned as major tourism growth hubs, while Phu Quoc emerges as a new hub. These targets will place greater demands on the tourism workforce, not only in terms of numbers but also skills, from frontline workers and foreign-language guides to managers, technology specialists and professionals delivering high-end services.

Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector, for example, is facing gaps in supervisory and management positions, as businesses seek staff capable of operating in an increasingly digitalized, international and competitive environment.

Foreign-language tour guides are another weak link. Demand is rising rapidly from markets such as Russia and India, while arrivals from Europe and the Middle East are also increasing. Yet training guides with the language skills and cultural knowledge needed to serve these markets can take years.

The labor crunch is even more acute in destinations far from major urban centers.

In Con Dao, hotels and resorts regularly struggle to recruit receptionists, housekeepers, chefs, and service staff, while travel companies face shortages of sales, marketing, and tour guide staff.

Higher salaries have done little to solve the problem. The island’s high cost of living and distance from the mainland make it difficult to attract and retain skilled workers, with many leaving after only a few months.

According to Hoteljob.vn, 79.5% of tourism businesses have raised salaries or improved benefits over the past year. Yet 59.2% cited lower incomes compared with other industries as a key reason young people leave the profession, while limited career prospects were another major factor.

Experts say Vietnam’s tourism labor shortage is not simply about training more people.

The bigger challenge is narrowing the gap between what schools teach and what employers need. Nearly 80% of businesses surveyed said fewer than 20% of young applicants could start work immediately, while more than 84% said new recruits needed at least a month before they could work independently.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam should open its doors and bring in trained tourism workers from overseas to solve their tourism labor shortage?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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