tourism – Author Carlo Carrasco

Philippines 2026 Foreign Visitor Arrivals Reach 5 Million During First 10 Months

November 15, 2026November 10, 2026carlocarrasco

As the Philippines continues to struggle with economic problems (click here, here and here), its foreign visitors arrivals for 2026 reached five million as of October with the United States of America (USA) as the #1 market, according to a news report by VnExpress.

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

The Philippines welcomed 5 million foreign visitors in the first 10 months of 2026, up 15% year-on-year and on track to meet its full-year target of 6.4 million.

The U.S. remained the country’s largest source of international visitors, with 986,343 arrivals during the period, according to the Philippines’ Department of Tourism

South Korea followed with 870,980, despite previously being the country’s leading source market. Japan ranked third with 429,544 arrivals, followed by China with 394,394 and Australia with 291,811.

The tourism department expects a stronger fourth quarter to drive arrivals despite rising fuel prices, airfares and other travel expenses, Department of Tourism Secretary Bernardita Angara-Mathay said at a recent meeting as quoted by The Manila Standard.

The fourth quarter traditionally sees an increase in travel demand, particularly to beach destinations.

International events are also expected to support visitor growth, including ASEAN-related activities scheduled for this month that could attract around 10,000 delegates and their accompanying family members, Business World Online reported.

The recovery in Chinese tourist arrivals has emerged as a bright spot for the Philippines’ tourism industry.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines will be able to exceed its 2025 count of 5.9 foreign tourists by the end of this year? Do you think there could be an influx of international visitors – including Filipinos who are based overseas) – coming into the country this Christmas season? Do you think the Philippines should continue to rely on Communist China for more foreign tourist arrivals? Do you think international tourism will become more crucial for the Philippines if the national economy continues to get weaker in 2027?

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

More Japanese Tourists Visiting Vietnam This Year

November 15, 2026November 14, 2026carlocarrasco

Having attracted almost twenty million foreign tourists during the first ten months this year, Vietnam is truly a major tourist destination among Southeast Asian nations. Along the way, they attracted more tourists from Japan during the January-October period reaching 757,000 which translates into an improvement of around 12%, according to a news report by VnExpress.

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

Factors like visa exemption, convenient flights, rich cuisine, low costs, and personal safety increased Japanese arrivals to Vietnam by nearly 12% in the first 10 months of the year to 757,000.

Data from the National Statistics Office of Vietnam shows Japan was Vietnam’s sixth largest inbound market. Pham Anh Vu, deputy general director of Du Lich Viet (Viet Tourism), explained the reason for this jump.

Since March 2026, visitors from 12 countries, including Japan, have been allowed to stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days without a visa regardless of passport type or travel purpose. The waiver will be valid through March 2028.

Direct flights between the two countries take just 4 to 5 hours. In addition to the long-established services from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Airlines has added five weekly trips from Da Nang, one to Osaka and four to Tokyo.

Budget carrier Vietjet Air has introduced a new Hanoi-Shizuoka service with four weekly flights to offer travelers even more options.

Surveys and tourism experts also highlight the strong appeal of Vietnam.

According to an August PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) survey, Japanese travelers strongly favor Vietnam for its food and affordable prices, with the former being the primary driver of their travel choices.

PATA also reported that Vietnam also attracts married Japanese travelers aged 40 and above.

Travel tech company Hofafy reported that Vietnam ranks among the top 3 choices for Japanese tourists seeking vibrant experiences, heritage, and history.

Fumi Matsumoto, chief representative of Japan National Tourism Organization in Vietnam, said the good connectivity makes the country ideal even for short trips.

Pham Hai Quynh, director of the Asian Tourism Development Institute, said however the sharp rise has been partly due to the low baseline in October 2025, when only 60,000 Japanese visitors came amid a weak yen and stiff competition from destinations like China.

This year, ongoing diplomatic tensions between China and Japan have caused many Japanese to choose Vietnam instead, he said.

He noted that lasting success depends on Vietnam’s own strengths, especially unique travel offerings and service quality, rather than temporary geopolitical shifts.

Meanwhile, outbound travel is recovering in Japan, with JTB, one of Japan’s largest travel agencies, forecasting that 16 million Japanese would travel abroad this year, 3% more than in 2025.

“From a female traveler’s perspective, one of Vietnam’s key attractions is that I feel quite safe and secure when traveling here.“

Japan represents a prized source market for Vietnam.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think it is possible for Vietnam to attract one million tourists from Japan by the end of this year? Do you think Vietnam will be able to lure in 25 million foreign tourists this year?

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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APEC 2027 Could Impact Tourism in Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island

November 12, 2026November 6, 2026carlocarrasco

In the history of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Vietnam hosted the inter-governmental economic forum twice. The 2027 edition of the APEC set for November next year will be hosted by Vietnam in Phu Quoc Island which itself has gained tremendous popularity with tourists. That said, it is anticipated that APEC 2027 could impact Phu Quoc’s tourism industry dramatically in a variety of ways, according to a news article by Asia News Network.

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

APEC 2027 could transform Phú Quốc Island’s tourism industry by improving international connectivity, attracting business events and accelerating the shift towards higher-value, year-round tourism.

With major investments in aviation, transport and conference facilities, the island is preparing not only to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Week in November 2027 but also to strengthen its position as an international destination for leisure, business and investment.

The Government has identified 21 major projects associated with preparations for the event, with preliminary investment estimated at VNĐ137 trillion (US$5.4 billion).

The programme covers transport infrastructure, conference facilities, accommodation, water supply, environmental services and urban development.

However, the real test will come after the summit.

Phú Quốc, Việt Nam’s largest island in the southern province of An Giang, must convert international attention into sustained visitor demand, maintain new air connections, attract recurring international events and ensure that investment benefits businesses and communities across the island.

For the hospitality sector, including La Festa Phú Quốc, Curio Collection by Hilton, APEC offers an opportunity to strengthen the island’s appeal as a premium tourism destination while demonstrating how distinctive experiences can complement infrastructure-led growth.

New connections –Improved connectivity will be central to Phú Quốc’s ambition to attract more international visitors and compete with established destinations across Asia.

The expansion of Phú Quốc International Airport and the development of conference facilities are intended to improve the island’s capacity to accommodate larger numbers of visitors and international gatherings.

Associated projects include roads, an urban railway and supporting infrastructure designed to improve transport links between the airport, conference complex and tourism areas.

The additional airport capacity could encourage airlines to introduce direct services, increase frequencies and accommodate larger aircraft. Better connections would reduce travel time for international visitors and improve the island’s appeal to travellers combining business with leisure.

Nevertheless, additional airport capacity does not automatically guarantee commercially viable routes.

Airlines need consistent demand, competitive fares and sufficient passenger numbers in both directions. Maintaining services after APEC will therefore be as important as launching new routes ahead of the event.

Economist Võ Trí Thành has argued that the summit should be viewed as an opportunity to establish a new development platform rather than a short-lived event.

“The greatest value of APEC does not lie in the few days when the conference takes place, but in the development foundations that Phú Quốc will possess for decades to come.”

His assessment highlights a central question for the island’s tourism industry: whether new infrastructure can generate a continuous flow of visitors and investment after international delegations leave. The benefits could extend beyond conventional beach holidays.

Direct flights and improved ground transport would support corporate groups, international conference delegates and travellers seeking shorter, more convenient stays.

They could also encourage visitors to combine Phú Quốc with other destinations in Việt Nam and the wider region. However, infrastructure alone will not determine the island’s competitiveness.

Destination management, environmental protection, workforce development and the quality of visitor experiences will also influence whether new demand can be sustained.

Beyond leisure – The development of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, collectively known as MICE, could become one of the most significant long-term opportunities arising from APEC.

Unlike conventional leisure travel, MICE tourism generates demand across a range of services, including accommodation, meeting facilities, catering, transport, technical support and organised activities.

Corporate groups may also spend on gala dinners, entertainment and excursions, creating business opportunities beyond room revenue.

Tourism expert Phạm Trung Lương, former deputy director of the Việt Nam Tourism Development Research Institute, said APEC 2027 was significantly increasing Phú Quốc’s capacity to serve as an international destination.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think next year’s APEC will impact Phu Quoc’s tourism more positively than negatively? If you have been to Phu Quoc over the past six months, what can you say about the quality of the infrastructure, the services at the island’s airport and the natural environment of the island? Do you think Phu Quoc is ready to become a hot spot of international tourists and modern economic activities?

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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Domestic Tourism in the Philippines Dampened by High Fuel Costs

November 11, 2026November 5, 2026carlocarrasco

Domestic tourism, which has been one of the few economic bright spots for the Philippines this year (click here and here), has officially been dampened by high fuel costs and the Department of Tourism (DOT) itself confirmed it lately, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

DOMESTIC TOURISM has been dampened by high fuel costs stemming from the fighting in the Middle East, the Department of Tourism (DoT) said.

Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Ryan R. Carlos said in a webinar on Monday that higher fuel prices have pushed airfares higher.

“We cannot deny that inflation is also one of the factors,” Mr. Carlos said, pointing to soaring prices of air travel, accommodations, and various tourism-related expenditures.

Inflation accelerated to 7.2% in September from 6.1% in August, bringing the nine-month average to 5.4%.

The Civil Aeronautics Board set the passenger fuel surcharge at Level 16 for Oct. 16-31, down one notch from the first half of the month.

Under Level 16, airlines may collect fuel surcharges ranging from P525 to P1,535 for domestic flights and between P1,733.76 and P12,891.29 for international flights, depending on distance.

To address rising costs, Mr. Ryan said the DoT has been partnering with various travel associations to help bring down the costs of tourism-related goods and services. He said the department has also asked its regional offices to develop affordable itineraries.

Domestic tourism propped up the industry last year, according to the Key Indicators of the Household Survey on Domestic Visitors report.

Of the 84.38 million individuals aged 15 years and over, 74.5% took at least one domestic trip in 2025. Female domestic travelers accounted for 50.5% of the total, compared with 31.11 million, or 49.5%, for males.

“By age group, domestic travelers are much more concentrated in the younger age group, particularly in the range of 13 to 54 years,” Assistant National Statistician Genelyn Ma. F. Sarte said, adding that the highest percentage of travelers belonged to the 25 to 29 age group.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think domestic tourism numbers by the end of this year will end up being lower than in 2025? If you were able to go out of town for vacation here in the Philippines over the past six months, how much did you spend on travel? Do you think 2027 will be a tougher year for domestic tourism?

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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Bangkok’s International Airport to Reduce Duty-free Space to Make Room for Premium Services

November 10, 2026November 5, 2026carlocarrasco

Suvarnabhumi Airport, the primary international gateway serving the Bangkok metropolitan region in Thailand, will reduce the amount of duty-free retail space to make room for new paid premium passenger services, according to a news report of VnExpress.

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

Thailand’s airport operator plans to reduce duty-free retail space at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to make room for new paid premium passenger services.

Airports of Thailand (AoT), which manages Suvarnabhumi Airport, expects to announce details of a new paid Premium Service for arriving and departing passengers this month, ThaiPbsWorld news site reported.

AoT President Paweena Jariyathitipong said the existing duty-free model had fallen short of expectations, prompting the operator to reassess the use of retail space to better reflect passenger behavior and preferences, Thaiger reported.

The state-owned airport operator plans to reduce retail space, using the freed-up area to install more automated immigration gates and expand online order pick-up counters. To improve passenger convenience, AoT plans to roll out a range of à-la-carte premium services available for individual purchase.

Unlike traditional VIP treatment, which is typically reserved for celebrities and dignitaries, the new paid offerings will be open to all passengers, including business travelers and tourists seeking greater privacy and faster airport services.

Passengers will be able to choose individual services based on their needs rather than purchase bundled packages.

Proposed services for arriving and departing passengers include valet parking, electric buggy transfers within the terminal and dedicated fast-track assistance.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the plan of Suvarnabhumi Airport will the travel experience of passengers better or more efficient? Have you traveled to Thailand over the past 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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Japan’s Narita International Airport Plans to Combine Three Terminals

November 7, 2026November 4, 2026carlocarrasco

Narita International Airport (NRT), the primary international gateway of Japan, could make flight connections and the travel experience better once its plan of combining the three terminals pushes through, according to a news report by VnExpress pointing to the Japanese media.

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

The operator of Japan’s Narita International Airport seeks to make travel easier for passengers and improve the airport’s position as a regional hub, according to local media.

Since opening in 1978, Narita has added new terminals regularly over the years. But this makes it inconvenient for transfer passengers, who often have to take shuttle buses between the various terminals.

To solve this problem, the airport operator plans to merge the three terminals into one, making connections easier.

According to The Mainichi newspaper, the operator first presented the single-terminal concept in September 2022 at a meeting with the governor of Chiba Prefecture. More proposals were unveiled at a meeting in Tokyo on July 6, 2026.

They included closing the current Narita Airport train station at Terminal 1 and building a new one under the terminal to be built south of Terminal 2.

The plan also includes adding about 30 new parking spots with jet bridges, bringing the total to around 100. Customs and passenger processing will gradually move into this central structure.

The airport’s total floor area will increase from 970,000 square meters to about 1.1 million square meters.

The airport also plans to build a new 3,500-meter third runway and extend runway B by 1,000 meters to 3,500 meters by March 2029.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you have entered Japan through the Narita International Airport over the past twelve months, how was your personal travel experience? Do you think the BRT operator’s plan to combine Narita’s three terminals into one makes a lot of sense? Do you think the plan will somehow help Japan attract even more tourists from around the world while ensuring border security?

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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Overstaying Chinese National Arrested in Parañaque City over Involvement in Telecommunications Fraud

November 7, 2026November 2, 2026carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, elements of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested a Chinese national who has been wanted for his alleged involvement in a telecommunications fraud syndicate and the Chinese Embassy sought his deportation, according to a news report of GMA News. The suspect has been overstaying in the Philippines since 2018 and had entered the country as a foreign tourist.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested a Chinese national wanted for his alleged involvement in a telecommunications fraud syndicate in Parañaque City.

In a press release issued on Monday, the BI identified the fugitive as 39-year-old Chen Yongzhou, who was arrested on October 14, 2026.

His arrest was initiated at the request of the Chinese Embassy in Manila, which sought his deportation.

According to the Embassy, Chen is subject to an active warrant for criminal detention issued by the Xinzhan Branch of the Public Security Bureau in Hefei, China.

Chinese authorities allege that Chen was involved in an overseas telecommunications fraud syndicate that operated from 2023 to 2024. The syndicate reportedly used voice phishing tactics to target victims in China, deceiving them into parting with their money through fraudulent investment schemes.

“They allegedly used a website called ‘WeChat’ to make random voice calls and build relationships with victims under the guise of romance,” BI Fugitive Search Unit Chief Rendel Ryan Sy said.

“They then persuaded victims to send gold to designated recharge points and invest in a fraudulent platform purportedly linked to the Shanghai Gold Exchange,” he added.

Sy noted that the group’s fraudulent operations allegedly defrauded victims of over 4.73 million renminbi, or roughly USD 706,000.

BI travel records show that Chen last entered the Philippines as a tourist in June 2018 and was already overstaying at the time of his apprehension.

The BI reported that the suspect remains detained at the Parañaque City Jail due to a pending murder charge before a local Regional Trial Court, a legal proceeding that will run independently of his deportation process.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be a lot more illegal aliens or foreign criminals living in your local community? What do you think makes Parañaque so attractive to illegal immigrants/aliens and fugitives? What do you think about the groups of Chinese nationals living in your city?

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

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 161

November 4, 2026November 3, 2026carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring reaction videos – I can hardly believe it has been almost 25 years since The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was first released in cinemas. The first time I saw it (the first part of a cinematic trilogy) was during its final week of showing at the local cinema and I ended up being very engaged by it. Since then, the Peter Jackson-directed fantasy movie (and its two follow-ups) was released in different editions on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray formats, ultimately offering movie buffs and J.R.R. Tolkien fans a lot of choices. Considering its great cinematic quality, in-depth storytelling and memorable characters, The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is arguably the greatest cinematic fantasy spectacle ever made. As such, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring itself was featured many times in reaction videos by YouTubers, and posted below are the ones I enjoyed watching. Go watch the videos below.

#2 Islamic Slave Trade examined – When it comes to the disturbing topic of slavery, not too many people want to discuss the Islamic slave trade which started from 7^th century and even persisted in various forms into the 20^th century. When compared to the transatlantic slave trade, Islamic slave trade happened across North Africa, East Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Southern Europe and South Asia. There were women who were trafficked as domestic laborers or concubines, there were men who were recruited into specialized elite slave militaries, and there were others who subjected to brutal physical labor in various forms in different regions. The Islamic slave trade was indeed twisted and cursed, and it should never be revived. To find out more, watch the in-depth video below.

#3 The impact of Super Castlevania IV remembered – Released in December of 1991 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in America, Super Castlevania IV was easily one of the most anticipated new games of that year given the fact that the Castlevania game series was already wildly popular with gamers. Considering its American release date, it was also the most pursued SNES game during the Christmas season. As such, its impact with gamers during the season was memorable and the YouTube video below by My Retro Life captured the game’s impact.

#4 Skipjack tuna’s impact in Japan – If you are fond of eating tuna, are you familiar with skipjack tuna? Skipjack tuna (also referred to as Katsuwonus pelamis) is a medium-sized, streamlined pelagic fish in the tuna family of Scombridae. It is the one tuna species that got heavily fished and chances are, you canned tuna you ate came from it. In Japan, there was a surplus of skipjack tuna which not only brought down prices but also made an impact on customers through the restaurants and groceries. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#5 The history of Tron – If you have seen the classic sci-fi movie Tron from 1982, were you able to play the official video games about it? Back then, there were video games of Tron released in the arcades and on game consoles of the time. Having seen the movie first, I remember wanting to play the Tron video games whenever I saw a print ad or a poster about the games. To learn more about Tron and its impact on video gaming, watch the video below from the late PatmanQC.

#6 Bill Clinton’s immorality, lying and sex scandal revisited – It has been almost thirty years since the Bill Clinton – Monica Lewinsky scandal first rocked the world resulting in massive news media coverage, legal implications, political debates and even a successful impeachment of Clinton. If you set aside the politics and media coverage, Bill Clinton’s sex scandal alone was essentially embarrassing and tarnished the Office of the President of the United States. I personally know Democrats who had trouble defending their immoral and dishonest President Clinton, and they are still worshipping both Bill and Hillary to this day. Recently, a comprehensive look back at the late-1990s sex scandal of Bill Clinton was released on YouTube and I encourage you to watch it now. Learn from history and never ever follow the evil Clintons.

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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

Vietnam Attracts 19.5 Million Foreign Visitors in First 10 Months of 2026

November 4, 2026November 3, 2026carlocarrasco

As of the end of October, Vietnam’s 2026 count of foreign visitors reached 19.5 million, according to a news report by VnExpress. This puts Vietnam in a good position to overtake its 2025 grand total of 21.2 million foreign visitors although it has yet to be seen if it can attract 25 million this year.

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

Vietnam received 19.5 million international visitors in the first 10 months of 2026, a 13.8% increase from a year earlier.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 4.3 million visitors, accounting for about 22% of the total, according to the General Statistics Office.

South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.3 million visitors, or 17.3%. Russia ranked third with 1.2 million, followed by Taiwan (1.07 million) and the U.S. (808,000).

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (787,000), Japan (757,000), India (744,000), the Philippines (579,000) and Australia (542,000).

Vietnam has remained a popular choice for international travelers, supported by its safety reputation, favorable visa policies, stronger tourism promotion efforts and a wide range of travel experiences, GSO wrote.

In October, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached 1.85 million, an increase of 4.9% from the previous month and 7% compared to the same period last year.

The tourism industry attributed October’s visitor growth partly to two concerts by South Korean music group BigBang in Hanoi on Oct. 24–25.

Vietnam eyes 25 million international arrivals by the end of this year.

Dr Daisy Kanagasapapathy, Lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality Management, RMIT Vietnam, told VnExpress International the target is within sight.

Vietnam needs about 7.3 million arrivals in the final quarter, an average of more than 2.4 million a month.

“That calls for a strong finish, and the fourth quarter is the start of the October–March peak tourism season,” she added.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam has all the factors and momentum to successfully attract 25 million tourists from around the world by the end of this year? If you are planning to visit Vietnam, what are the three main reasons behind your decision to go there? Did any of your friends visit Vietnam and shared their observations with you?

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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Thailand Considering Visa Waivers for Travelers from Few Specific Nations

November 2, 2026October 28, 2026carlocarrasco

With their struggling tourism industry and long-haul tourism in mind, Thailand is considering a 15-day visa exemption for travelers from a few specific nations, according to a news article by VnExpress.

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

Thailand is considering a 15-day visa exemption for travelers from Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan to ease visa processing delays and attract more long-haul visitors.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will submit a proposal to the visa policy committee on Nov. 9, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Monday, as reported by The Nation Thailand.

The proposal comes amid growing concerns that visa-processing delays are disrupting Thailand’s long-haul tourism market, particularly travel from Latin America, with passenger show-up rates on some flights falling by 20% to 30%, Khaosod English news site reported.

Emirates recently filed a complaint with the Tourism Authority of Thailand after 20-30 passengers per flight from Mexico failed to show up because they had not received their visas in time, local media reported.

Surasak said the ministry was seeking a long-term solution to persistent visa delays affecting Mexico and other Latin American markets. The committee will assess the proposal’s security and economic implications, with the ministry seeking exemptions for countries considered to pose low security risks.

Chiravadee Khunsub, deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand overseeing international markets in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, said visa procedures had also affected arrivals from Uzbekistan, Thai Examiner reported.

Uzbek travelers previously had to apply for Thai e-visas through the Royal Thai Embassy in Russia, a process that travel agents in Uzbekistan considered cumbersome.

Some travelers subsequently canceled their Thailand holiday packages and chose competing destinations, including Vietnam.

The proposed exemption aims to simplify entry procedures, reduce disruptions to travel plans and restore confidence among international tour operators and airline partners.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Thailand’s move to grant visa exemptions to travelers from Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan makes a lot of sense? Do you think Thailand will be able to match its 2025 foreign tourist arrival numbers before the end of this year? What was single biggest problem you had when it came to visiting Thailand?

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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