As we head into 2024, many people are looking forward to a holiday break. Across Asia, countries are banking on the return of travelers, too, as the tourism industry fights for a full recovery from the pandemic.
Before packing your suitcases, though, it might be useful to read up on some of the key news events that could affect your plans. From a rise in COVID cases to new theme parks and hotels, here is a selection of stories that will help you catch up on the latest.
A Zootopia-themed attraction opened at Shanghai Disney Resort this week, with fans lining up and defying the near-freezing winter weather. The new attraction aims to meet growing demand for local tourism products amid an uncertain economic recovery. Read more.
As the number of tourists rises across Southeast Asia, so too are COVID cases. Malaysia has reactivated the Heightened Alert System, and Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia have issued advisories asking people to mask up and get vaccinated. Read more.
A new hotel that offers all-you-can-drink Japanese sake has opened in Tokyo’s tourist-heavy Asakusa district. Guests receive their own masu, a square wooden sake cup, as soon as they check in. Is it worth a visit? Check out our short video.
EmSphere, a six-story attraction spanning 200,000 square meters with more than 300 tenants, opened this month in Bangkok. Shoppers can pop into IKEA or dine at one of the many restaurants. Read more.
Following infestations in European cities such as Paris and London, worries over bedbugs are spreading in Asia’s tourism sector, from South Korea and Hong Kong to Singapore and Taiwan. Read more.
This week, Australia’s Federal Court ordered Airbnb to pay 15 million Australian dollars (US$10 million) in penalties for misleading customers about what currency they were paying in. The company admitted it made false or misleading representations that affected roughly 70,000 customers. Read more.
Hong Kong Disneyland opened World of Frozen last month, an area themed around the hit “Frozen” franchise. The new attraction carries the weighty responsibility of rescuing the park from years of losses. Read more.
The Sedona Hotel Yangon in Myanmar has reopened after an extended shutdown due to COVID. The five-star hotel, which was sold to Singapore’s hospitality investment firm Spring Blossom Ventures, boasts almost 800 guest rooms and sits across the street from a large shopping mall. Read more.
