#tourist-blog — Public Fediverse posts

Vietnam wins 2026 Asia’s Best Cruise Destination award

Have you been on a nice cruise within Asia over the past six months? During the recent 2026 World Cruise Awards, Vietnam won the Asia’s Best Cruise Destination award and ended the 2-year reign of Hong Kong, according to a news article by VnExpress. Vietnam also won another prestigious award.

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

Vietnam has won Asia’s Best Cruise Destination at the 2026 World Cruise Awards for the first time, ending Hong Kong’s two-year reign.

Vietnam beat nine other nominees, including Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand, according to the results announced at the sixth annual ceremony in Jamaica on Oct. 12.

Since the category began in 2021, Singapore has won twice, followed by the Philippines in 2023 and Hong Kong in 2024 and 2025.

Vietnam’s cruising experiences range from journeys through limestone islands in the north to river voyages through the Mekong Delta in the south.

In Ha Long Bay, passengers can spend the day sailing between limestone formations before anchoring overnight and waking up to views of the surrounding islands.

Itineraries often combine time aboard with kayaking and cave visits, while onboard activities can include cooking classes and squid fishing, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism’s official website.

Mekong Delta cruises offer a closer look at life along the waterways, the tourism authority says.

Boats pass palm-lined riverbanks and villages, with shore excursions allowing passengers to explore local markets and towns or sample tropical fruit.

Vietnam also won the World’s Best River Cruise Destination at this year’s awards. Ha Long Cruise Port was named Asia’s Best Cruise Terminal.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you were able to join a cruise in Vietnam, how was the experience and what are the things you enjoyed the most about it? Did you get a lot of value in return to what you paid for during the Vietnam cruise?

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

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

Japan, which attracted over 42 million foreign tourists in 2025, has been voted as the world’s 2nd 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

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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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

HCMC Transforms into Vietnam’s Shopping Hotspot

When it comes to touring Southeast Asia, which particularly city do you think is ideal for shopping? In recent times, a booming fashion scene backed with strong social media exposure and promotions is turning Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam as a major shopping hotspot and the shopping craze there is only intensifying, according to an article by VnExpress.

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

Ho Chi Minh City is quickly becoming a shopping hotspot, thanks to a booming fashion scene that has been promoted widely on TikTok and Instagram as both affordable and accessible.

Chloe, a 22-year-old traveler from Australia, arrived on Tran Quang Dieu Street at the end of September with an empty suitcase and spent nearly US$800 in a single afternoon on clothes.

She planned to stay in Vietnam for a few weeks before returning home, saying: “I was inspired by a TikToker who came here with an empty suitcase just to fill it by shopping here.”

“The clothing quality is incredible, and everything is so cheap it feels surreal. It is like paradise for me.”

Recently, Ho Chi Minh City earned a spot among the 50 most attractive shopping destinations globally in a ranking by Travel and Tour World, a leading Indian travel publication.

The city is an ideal destination for travelers seeking handcrafted goods, textiles, and Vietnamese-style fashion, the report said.

Chloe is far from the only tourist visiting just for shopping.

Jasmine, a 26-year-old from Malaysia, says she travels to Vietnam specifically to buy clothes worn by her favorite idols.

“I am a huge K-pop fan, and I think Vietnamese clothing not only makes it easy to connect with my idols, but walking the fashion streets here also makes me feel amazing.”

She says she discovers brands and shopping locations primarily through Instagram, adding, “Every time I try on something here, I know I can afford it.”

Tina Yong, a prominent content creator with nearly four million followers, whose viral “Vietnam Haul” videos have helped put the local scene on the global map, points out that the appeal lies in discovery.

“People love discovering a brand they haven’t seen everywhere already.

“The designs are what catch my eye first, but the quality is what makes me go back.”

Other visitors echo this sentiment.

A visitor from Singapore says Vietnamese clothing craftsmanship is remarkable. She says she can buy about 10 times as many trendy items in Ho Chi Minh City, and for a fraction of the cost back home.

According to U.K. magazine Conde Nast Traveller, Vietnamese retail stands out for its high-quality craftsmanship and use of the same production lines as global brands like Nike and GAP at a cost that is a fraction of western retail prices.

The rise in foreign shopper numbers has changed how local boutique owners run their stores.

Nguyen Huu Hoang, 22, consultant for a shop on Le Van Sy, a famous retail street in HCMC, says foreigners make up 80-90% of his shop’s clientele, most of them walk-in customers.

To reach them, his brands focus on Instagram, posting regular “fit-check” videos to turn online views into real store visits.

For added insight about shopping in HCMC, watch the video below.

https://youtu.be/xUkL3fG4u7M?si=2LypoKSigQo7tsG3

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Ho Chi Minh City’s strong appeal as a major fashion and shopping hot spot will last for several years and contribute a lot to the economy of Vietnam? Do you personally know anyone who visited Vietnam mainly for shopping? Do you think there are lots of people who are too influenced by social media to come to go overseas with shopping in mind?

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

Philippines Targets 6.4 Million International Tourist Arrivals this Year

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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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

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

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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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

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

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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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

Lesser Korean Visitors Arriving in Vietnam

With almost eighteen million foreign tourists counted during the January-September period of this year, Vietnam is on-track to exceed its 2025 record of foreign tourist arrivals. While tourism is indeed booming, there are observations that lesser travelers from South Korea are visiting Vietnam and there are a lot of factors as to why this has been happening for some time now, 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…

Korean arrivals to Vietnam have fallen for two years amid a weaker won, fewer flights and growing competition.

Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months, up almost 15% year-on-year, the General Statistics Office reported. South Korea ranked second, after mainland China, with 3 million arrivals, but was the only top-10 market to record a decline, down about 5%.

Korean arrivals also fell 5% in 2025, when total arrivals hit a record of more than 21 million.

South Koreans made over 19 million overseas trips in the first eight months, up 2%, according to the Korea Tourism Organization.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of Anam Group, which manages two resorts in Mui Ne and Cam Ranh, says Korean demand is still growing but shifting elsewhere.

Yanolja Research found that only three of the 12 most-visited destinations for Koreans grew in the first half. Japan rose 18.6% to 5.6 million visits, 40% of Korean outbound travelers. Mainland China rose 16%, while Macau grew 0.7%.

The other nine destinations, mostly in Southeast Asia and the U.S., all declined. Vietnam fell more than 2%, and Thailand dropped the most, at 24%.

Pham Hai Quynh, director of the Asia Tourism Development Institute, attributes the decline partly to growing competition from China and Japan.

Quynh says Japan offers a good exchange rate, easy transport and quality service. China has attractive tour prices, visa-free entry for Koreans since late 2025 and more direct flights.

A weak won is a factor. The currency fell to 1,536 won per U.S. dollar on June 3, its lowest since 2009, and now sits around 1,350.

Korea JoongAng Daily reports that the weak currency is changing how South Koreans travel. They are shopping less, opting for Airbnb-style rentals over luxury hotels.

Hanatour, one of South Korea’s largest travel companies, says Korean travelers used to favor cheap tours with shopping stops. Now they choose pricier packages without shopping to cut down on extra spending.

However, travel spending in Japan continues to rise, as the weak yen makes the destination more affordable. In 2025, South Korean visitors spent a record $5.7 billion in Japan.

Koerner adds that beyond cost, the convenience of the trip also shapes Korean choices. A flight of two to three hours to Japan or China beats a six-hour trip to Southeast Asia.

“In this context, Vietnam’s edge as a low-cost destination no longer creates a big enough gap to hold on to Korean visitors,” Quynh says.

Saturation is another problem. Quynh says a destination’s life cycle lasts three to four years, after which travelers seek something new. Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc have been promoted in Korea since around 2023, and golf and spa packages have grown familiar.

Fewer flights have hurt too. Higher fuel prices from the Middle East conflict led Korean airlines, mainly low-cost carriers, to cut 1,000 flights between April and June.

Yanolja Research also says Vietnam’s image has been linked to Cambodian scam compounds. Negative sentiment toward Vietnam once reached 18%.

To win Koreans back, Quynh says Vietnam should refresh its image, rely less on cheap beach holidays, and develop cultural, ecological and wellness products. He also urges more promotion in Busan, Daegu and Gwangju cities.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the falling number of Korean travelers visiting Vietnam is growing into a serious problem for the Vietnamese tourism industry? What do you think Vietnam and South Korea should do when it comes to flight connectivity and visa matters?

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

Malaysia Attracts Almost 29 Million Foreign Tourists in First 8 Months of 2026

Malaysia is unsurprisingly the top tourist destination of Southeast Asia as it successfully attracted almost 29 million foreign tourists during the first eight months of 2026, according to a news article by VnExpress. Having attracted over 42 million foreign tourists last year, Malaysia is aiming for 47 million this year.

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

Malaysia’s tourism sector continues to show positive momentum, recording 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.

Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director-General (Promotion) Mohd Akbal Setia said the strong performance reflects Malaysia’s continued appeal as a tourism destination and underscores the importance of strengthening international tourism partnerships, The Sun Malaysia reported.

Mohd Akbal said tourism is an important economic driver, contributing more than 15% to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP), with its benefits extending across the tourism value chain to support businesses and livelihoods, from hotels and e-hailing services to local artisans and family-run restaurants, Malay Mail reported.

Thailand, traditionally the region’s favorite, ranked second after welcoming 20.93 million foreign tourists in the first eight months of 2026, down 3.08% from the same period last year, Bangkok Post reported.

Vietnam followed Thailand with nearly 16 million foreign tourists in the first quarter of 2026, increasing 14.4% from the same period in 2025 and equivalent to 63.6% of the full-year target, according to the General Statistics Office.

Malaysia has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s tourism bright spots in recent years, supported by flexible visa policies and infrastructure improvements.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you have visited Malaysia over the past six months, what do you think makes it a very attractive destination for tourists from around the world? Do you think Malaysia has enough momentum to achieve its target of 47 million foreign tourists by the end of the 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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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 Tourism Insiders Say Easier Entry, Stronger Connectivity and Better Tourism Services Are Needed

Having attracted almost eighteen million foreign tourists in the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam is clearly one of the must-visit places not only in Southeast Asia but in Asia as a whole. For some tourism insiders, however, Vietnam needs easier entry, strong connectivity by air and land and better tourism services to bridge the so-called competitiveness gap with its Southeast Asian neighbors, 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 needs easier entry, stronger air and land connectivity, better tourism services, and stricter environmental enforcement to bridge its competitiveness gap with Southeast Asian rivals, tourism insiders have said.

The country climbed seven places to 52nd out of 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, its highest ranking since the Covid-19 pandemic.

But it ranked behind major Southeast Asian markets. Singapore was 13th globally, Indonesia was 23rd, Malaysia was 26th, and Thailand was 38th.

The expansion of visa-free policy for more nationalities remains an important feature of Vietnam’s strategy to develop its tourism industry.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of The Anam Group, a chain of Vietnamese luxury resorts, tells VnExpress International: “Vietnam should continue to make entry as frictionless as possible. Visa policies have improved considerably, but we should continue benchmarking ourselves against the easiest destinations in the region.”

Every additional administrative barrier matters when an international traveler can choose between Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other destinations, he says.

Vietnam has made it easier for foreign visitors to enter and stay in the country, including through 90-day e-visas and 45-day visa exemptions for citizens of 24 countries, including several in Europe.

But the country has not yet waived visas for some major tourism markets such as China and India, unlike Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Vietnam also needs stronger air connectivity, with more direct flights from major cities in Europe, Australia, North America, India, and the Middle East as connections influence long-haul travelers’ destination choices, Koerner adds.

Dr Matt Kim, a lecturer in tourism and hospitality management at RMIT Vietnam, says infrastructure and accessibility require further improvement, particularly international air connectivity and transport links between destinations in the country.

Long Thanh International Airport scheduled to begin commercial operation later this year will be transformational, but an airport alone does not create a destination, he says.

Efficient connections between airports and tourism centers, better roads, rail infrastructure, and seamless domestic transportation will be equally important, he says.

He wants the tourism industry to improve service quality and develop skilled professionals.

“To compete more effectively with regional destinations such as Thailand and Singapore, Vietnam needs to improve not only its facilities, but also service standards and professional training.“

Environmental pollution is another concern, with foreign tourists frequently complaining about it despite praising Vietnam’s scenery.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you agree with the opinions of the tourism insiders about what Vietnam needs to do to remain competitive with its regional neighbors? If you have been to Vietnam over the past six months, how do you rate the quality of entry, tourism services, air-land connectivity and the tourism workers? With the way things are going now, do you think Vietnam will be able to attract 30 million foreign tourists in 2027 or 2028?

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

Vietnam Attracts 522,000 Visitors from the Philippines During First 9 Months of 2026

The Philippines, which is currently the host of the ASEAN Summit and is also one of the economic weaklings of Southeast Asia, continues to grow tremendously as a tourism market for Vietnam as an estimated 522,000 Filipinos visited the said nation during the first nine months of 2026, according to a news report by VnExpress.

It should be noted that more than 480,000 Filipinos visited Vietnam for the entire year of 2025, and the Philippines is one of the fastest growing tourism markets for the Vietnam tourism industry this year along with Russia.

Historically speaking, the number of Philippine visitors welcomed by Vietnam was 49,266 in 2022, 153,168 in 2023, 265,947 in 2024 and 482,173 in 2025. At 522,000 as of the end of September, the number of Philippine visitors arriving in Vietnam could reach around 700,000 by the end of this year.

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

Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 14.5% year-on-year, bucking a decline in arrivals across several Southeast Asian destinations.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.95 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.05 million visitors, or 17.3%.

Russia ranked third with 1.1 million, followed by Taiwan (964,000) and the U.S. (746,000), according to the General Statistics Office.

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (688,000), Japan (674,000), India (670,000), the Philippines (522,000) and Australia (485,000).

In September, foreign visitors declined by 11.3% from August but rose by 16.5% year-on-year to 1.77 million.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Considering the strong interest of Filipinos to visit Vietnam, do you think it is possible for Vietnam to attract at least one million visitors from the Philippines next year if not this year? Do you think more Filipinos will realize the great value they could get by visiting Vietnam?

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

Food and Beverage Vendors Plus New Details for Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar Revealed

Very recently, the Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) revealed new details as well as a list of approved food-and-drinks vendors for their upcoming Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar which will happen on November 21 and 22, 2026, at the Phase 2 park grounds. For each day, the bazaar will start from 10AM until 8PM.

For the upcoming bazaar, there will be over forty-five dry goods vendors participating. This ensures that customers will see a wide variety of products for sale ranging from clothing to houseware, toys, accessories, shoes and more. There will be a lot of items that customers can acquire for Christmas gift-giving.

With regards to the food and vendors approved by the AHVA, the list is as follows in the image below.

In addition, the AHVA confirmed that there will be acoustic performers and DJs who will provide entertainment in the afternoon of each day of the bazaar. There will also be game booths for additional enjoyment.

The Phase 2 park grounds is the main venue of Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar, and both the covered basketball court and the pickleball court (formerly the badminton court) will be used too. For the non-residents who have private vehicles (without Alabang Hills Village stickers) and intend to attend the bazaar, be ready to leave your ID card at the village gate and tell them were you are headed. Once inside, it is a must that you should follow their rules and speed limits at all times. Be aware that finding available parking spaces can be a bit of a challenge, and be respectful to the nearby homes.

If you have inquiries for Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar, send your email to [email protected]

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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 engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Good Food and Drinks Plus Sports Shows Await You at Red Rockies in Las Piñas City

When it comes to finding good food, nice drinks and the enjoyment of sports-related shows here in South Metro Manila, Red Rockies has them and they are ready to serve you.

Recently, I visited Red Rockies at the 2nd floor of Versailles Town Plaza located along Daang Hari in Las Piñas City. Upon entering, I saw the very nice interiors of the place and I was welcomed nicely. The nice-looking bar caught my attention, and so did the overhead high-definition TVs (HDTVs) that showed continuous footage of sports-related shows. That said, the vibe of the place was energetic.  

For dinner, I had a set of sausages – Bratwurst and Frankfurt – with fries and condiments. The set is part of their Oktoberfest special. The two sausages were very well cooked and each bite was satisfying. The Frankfurt sausage was the tastiest. If this set is available when you visit Red Rockies, I recommend you order it.

I also had a Smash Burger with fries plus a Strawberry Milkshake. The Smash Burger was loaded with a thick Angus beef patty which was enjoyable per bite. It reminds me of an Angus burger I had in Subic Bay over a year ago, but the difference is that it has lot more content and was more satisfying to consume. Red Rockies’ Smash Burger is a must for those who love burgers. The Strawberry Milkshake was tasty, cool and plentiful.

While enjoying dinner, I also enjoyed the sports coverage displayed on the monitors. Red Rockies allows customers to enjoy good food and drinks while watching basketball, tennis, grand prix racing and other sports events available. This is a fine place for such an experience here in the south of Metro Manila. In case you are wondering, Red Rockies’ name was inspired by the Rocky Mountains in the United States, and the red refers to the unique look the said mountains have during sunset.

I also took the time to examine Red Rockies’ menu. For those looking for alcoholic beverages, they offer craft beer and draft beer. For those who love good food, there is pasta, pizza, side dishes, salad, chicken wings and their entrees. What caught my attention from the menu were the Steak & Fries (P1,350), Country Fried Chicken (P350), Mac & Cheese (P425), and Bacon Cheeseburger (P500).

If you and your associates need a private venue for an important gathering or a special event, Red Rockies offers event packages which includes the use of all the HDTVs, food and drinks, and the exclusive use of dining area. Just visit Red Rockies and talk to the manager for booking.

As I had a nice time at Red Rockies, I would not hesitate to come back and try other foods and drinks listed on their menu. For this month of October, they have Oktoberfest offerings. If you are looking for a fine place to dine-in while visiting Versailles Town Plaza, come to Red Rockies at the 2nd floor. They are open daily with schedules of 11AM to 10PM (Friday to Saturday) and 11AM to 9PM (Sunday to Thursday). To the residents of Ayala Alabang Village reading this, the place is a just a short drive away after exiting Champaca street gate. For this month of October, Oktoberfest specials are being offered by Red Rockies.

For the location of Red Rockies, click https://maps.app.goo.gl/VxY65TLPiC2tJoXG8. To get the latest updates directly from Red Rockies, follow their official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588552930140

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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 engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Singapore Leads Southeast Asia in Tourism Development

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 13th 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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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 17.7 Million Foreign Tourists in First 9 Months of 2026

Vietnam successfully attracted 17.7 million foreign tourists during the first nine months of 2026 having China, South Korea and Russia as their top 3 tourist markets, according to a news report by VnExpress. As it currently stands, Vietnam saw its foreign tourist count rise by 14.5% compared to the year before and it is looking more likely for the nation to exceed its 2025 overall foreign tourist count of 21.2 million by the end of this year.

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

Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 14.5% year-on-year, bucking a decline in arrivals across several Southeast Asian destinations.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.95 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.05 million visitors, or 17.3%.

Russia ranked third with 1.1 million, followed by Taiwan (964,000) and the U.S. (746,000), according to the General Statistics Office.

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (688,000), Japan (674,000), India (670,000), the Philippines (522,000) and Australia (485,000).

In September, foreign visitors declined by 11.3% from August but rose by 16.5% year-on-year to 1.77 million.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of The Anam Group, a chain of luxury resort hotels in Vietnam, said what is particularly encouraging is Vietnam’s diversification of source markets.

European arrivals increased by more than 50%, while arrivals from markets including the United States, Australia and India also recorded strong growth. This makes Vietnam less dependent on only one or two major Asian source markets, he added.

“Vietnam is no longer seen simply as an inexpensive holiday destination. Increasingly, it is being

recognized as a destination capable of delivering sophisticated, world-class hospitality,” Koerner said.

Several Southeast Asian countries have faced declines in international arrivals amid the impact of the Middle East crisis.

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? Do you know anyone who visited Vietnam recently and mentioned positive things about their tour? How interested are you right now to visit Vietnam?

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

Department of Tourism Adjusts Strategy Toward Investment, Jobs and Connectivity

Remember a few years ago when the Department of Tourism (DOT) unveiled an ambitious plan to establish the Philippines as a major tourism player in Asia? A lot has changed since then as economic growth of the country has slowed down tremendously and there is not much it can do to compete with others when it comes to attracting a lot of foreign tourists. That said, the DOT under its new leader is not only doing a campaign rebrand but also a notable adjustment of its strategy toward investment, jobs and connectivity, according to a news report by The Daily Tribune.

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

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is shifting its focus beyond visitor arrivals, placing greater emphasis on investments, infrastructure, connectivity, jobs and higher tourism revenues as it seeks to build a more competitive and sustainable industry.

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the agency is pursuing an investment-driven and people-centered approach as the sector continues to make a significant contribution to the economy.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that tourism accounted for 8.1% of the economy in 2025, generating P2.27 trillion in Tourism Direct Gross Value Added and supporting 7.70 million jobs.

“We want to be defined as an agency that’s proactively taking the lead in tourism readiness. This means strengthening our airports and gateways, improving our physical tourism infrastructure, and expanding air connectivity, so our visitors can move seamlessly across the country,” Angara-Mathay said.

The DOT is working with the Department of Transportation and other stakeholders to expand flights and establish air and sea links with strategic and emerging markets. From January 1 to May 19, international air seats on direct inbound flights reached 7.78 million, up 8.31% from the same period in 2025.

China was among the fastest-growing markets, with 310,000 arrivals during the period, up 69.15% year-on-year. The Philippines also secured expanded air services with Türkiye, doubling Manila-Istanbul flights to 14 weekly and opening frequency rights for secondary gateways.

To attract more investment, the DOT is implementing programs focused on tourism investment readiness, intelligence, accountability and strategic investor engagement. It has also begun developing partnerships in Japan, including potential projects involving a specialty medical clinic and telecommunications infrastructure in underserved destinations.

The agency is also pushing for a larger tourism marketing budget, with about 70% of its planned 2027 marketing allocation expected to go toward digital campaigns and media placements.

At the same time, the DOT is expanding support for tourism MSMEs through partnerships with Klook, GCash, Viber, Mastercard and Visa, while strengthening accreditation, workforce training and tourism data systems.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the DOT will be able to make the tourism sector of the Philippines more attractive towards investors and large businesses that could potentially add a lot of economic value? How many news tourism jobs do you think could be created by the middle of 2028?

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

Vietnam Declared Asia’s Leading Destination of 2026

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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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

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

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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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

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

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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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

Tourism Labor Shortage in Vietnam

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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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

Thailand Eyes Over $600 Million in Additional Tourism Spending Through Domestic Stimulus

As the government of Thailand plans to spend money to support hotel stays and tourism-related expenses, the nation is targeting more than $600 million in additional tourism spending, 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…

Thailand is targeting more than 20 billion baht (US$601 million) in additional tourism spending through a domestic travel stimulus.

The government plans to spend about 4 billion baht to subsidize hotel stays and other tourism expenses, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said as cited by Bloomberg.

The package, covering one million entitlements, is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet on Sept. 22, Bangkok Post reported.

The measure reflects Thailand’s growing reliance on domestic travelers to support tourism, a major source of jobs and foreign exchange for Thailand.

Thailand received 21.7 million foreign tourists through Sept. 12, down 3.4% from a year earlier. Their spending fell 1.9% to 1.06 trillion baht.

Domestic travel has performed better, with trips by Thais rising 2% to 142 million and spending increasing 1.9% to 824.6 billion baht.

Under the plan, the government will subsidize accommodation by up to 2,000 baht per entitlement. Travelers will also receive co-payment vouchers worth up to 2,000 baht for restaurants, spas, shops and tourism activities, with higher benefits available in secondary destinations. Each person can use up to five entitlements.

The subsidies are scheduled to run from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15, pause during the peak New Year period, and resume on Jan. 16, 2027, through the end of February.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this development will improve Thailand’s tourism appeal? Do you think the government should be more involved with the tourism industry?

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

Russian Arrivals to Vietnam to Hit Record High This Year

If the current pace continues, the number of Russians arriving in Vietnam this year will result in a record-high, according to a news article by VnExpress. To be clear, Russia is already a very fast-growing market of tourists for Vietnam which has a booming tourism industry.

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

The number of Russian visitors to Vietnam is forecast to reach a historic record of 1.5 million this year, a senior official has said.

Russian news website news.ru quoted Nikita Kondratiev, Director of the Department for Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects under Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development, as saying that even during the pre-pandemic peak in 2018-2019, Russian arrivals to Vietnam stood at only around 700,000-800,000.

The figures show impressive growth in the tourism sector, he noted.

According to the official, key factors behind Vietnam’s growing appeal include the maintenance and expansion of direct air routes, as well as convenient payment options for Russian tourists through QR codes and MIR bank cards at some locations in Vietnam.

The strong interest from the Russian market is fully reflected in recently released statistics.

On Sept. 4, Travel Russian News cited figures from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism showing that Russian arrivals to Vietnam surpassed 1 million in the first eight months of 2026, representing a 165.7% increase year-on-year. This was the highest growth rate among Vietnam’s major international tourist markets.

With this result, Russia jumped from around seventh place in 2025 to become Vietnam’s third largest source market, behind China with 3.54 million visitors and South Korea 2.76 million.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Apart from what was reported, what do you think makes Vietnam such a very attractive place for Russians? Do you think other Southeast Asian nations are discreetly making plans of their own to attract Russian tourists away from Vietnam?

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

DOT Expects Philippines Tourism Growth with Campaign Rebrand

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is expecting tourism growth for the Philippines as it makes a serious brand adjustment with its “Love the Philippines” campaign, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

For insight, the Philippines counted 4.11 million foreign tourist arrivals for 2026 as of August. While the Philippines remains an international tourism weakling as well as an economic weakling among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), domestic tourism is actually thriving.

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

The Department of Tourism (DoT) said that changing its branding direction in its Love the Philippines campaign will help boost the country’s tourism growth.

“Upon entry into the office, the first mandate that I had carried out was to change the tone of voice of the Department of Tourism with regard to how it communicates to the public,” DoT Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Armand Lorenze “Ren” Sapitan told lawmakers in a House Committee on Appropriations budget hearing.

“We didn’t have to change the members of branding and the marketing team,” he added. “The only thing that we adopted was a change in direction.”

Mr. Sapitan noted that the agency will shift how it approaches the Love the Philippines campaign instead of replacing it through its Discover More to Love program.

“We would not change this campaign because we recognize that the administration only has two years left,” he said. “What we are changing is how we approach the campaign.”

“The way we relate to the people, the way we promote, the way we market our tourism destinations,” he added.

The Discover More to Love program aims to highlight local destinations by partnering with companies, offering travel bundles and discounted offers.

“The Sun Group actually not only invests in marketing, but they also invest in the entire ecosystem,” Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay explained, citing the agency’s relationship with the private sector.

“The tourist attractions, from hotels, the accommodation, the entire village – that’s the kind of investment that is complete; it’s almost like a subsidy,” she added.

Filipino talents BINI and SB19 were also named as the country’s tourism ambassadors who will support the push for domestic travel.

The DoT earmarked a P4.03 billion budget under the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), down 4.6% or P196 million from the approved P4.23 billion budget for 2026.

Of the proposed budget, P1 billion will fund branding campaigns, mostly for overseas marketing (60%) and domestic efforts (40%).

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that the Philippines will be able to attract more foreign tourists this year? Do you think the DOT’s recent moves will boost both domestic and international tourism for the Philippines?

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

Russia and the Philippines Emerge as Fast-Growing Tourist Markets for Vietnam

As Vietnam successfully attracted almost sixteen million foreign tourists during the first eight months of this year, Russia and the Philippines have emerged as the fast-growing tourist markets at 166% and 58% respectively, according to a VnExpress news report.

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

Tourist arrivals from Russia and the Philippines surged 166% and 58%, respectively, in the first eight months, as Vietnam recorded nearly 16 million international visitors, up more than 14% year-on-year.

The rise in Russian tourists has made Russia the largest European market and the third largest source of international arrivals to Vietnam this year, with around 1 million visitors, only after mainland China (3.5 million) and South Korea (2.8 million).

Nguyen Tien Dat, CEO of AZA Travel, said: “Russian tourists enjoy swimming, sunbathing, eating seafood, and relaxing at resorts. Vietnam fully meets these needs, so it is understandable why they are visiting in large numbers,” Dat says.

Kristina Zagumennaya, director of a Russian travel agency, told the Russian news agency Sputnik in early August that Russian tourist flows are shifting between markets. While Turkey remains the top choice, Vietnam and China have recorded outstanding growth.

“Vietnam stands out as a popular choice this tourist season,” Zagumennaya said, noting that multiple charter flights are operating to destinations across the country to meet demand for both beach holidays and cultural tourism.

In addition to charter flights, Vietnam Airlines increased the frequency of its direct Hanoi-Moscow route from three to four flights per week starting in July.

Ranking behind Russia, the Philippines also showed notable growth, despite not being a prominent source market for Vietnamese tourism prior to 2025.

Filipino visitors have risen to nearly 470,000 this year, among the 10 largest group of foreign visitors to Vietnam.

Bui Thanh Tu, marketing director of BestPrice Travel, attributes this rise to more convenient flight routes, especially from Manila and Cebu, competitive costs, and tourism products that differ from the island destinations familiar to Filipinos.

He also cites the viral impact of TikTok and YouTube videos featuring Hanoi, Sa Pa, Da Nang, and Hoi An.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you find it surprising that Russia and the Philippines became the fastest growing tourist markets for Vietnam? Do you think it is only a matter of time before Vietnam could someday attract at least 30 million foreign tourists per 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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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

I Love Israel: Manila-Tel Aviv Direct Flights to Launch in January 2027

Starting January 3, 2027, direct flights between Manila and Tel Aviv will launch with Israeli airline Arkia in-charge of the service, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. For many Filipinos who desired to visit the Holy Land in Israel, this is a dream that will come true and the new route is the first non-stop air link between the two major cities.

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

Filipinos can soon fly directly to Israel without making a stopover, as Israeli airline Arkia prepares to launch the first nonstop flights between Manila and Tel Aviv in January 2027.

The new route will begin on Jan. 3, 2027, with an initial service of one flight a week and a travel time of about 11 hours, according to Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh.

For years, travelers between the Philippines and Israel have had to take connecting flights, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi among the main stopover points, while other options include connections through New Delhi, Bangkok, Seoul, and other Asian cities.

The new service will therefore provide the first nonstop air link between Manila and Tel Aviv.

Kursh welcomed the development in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Sept. 8, saying the route would bring the two countries closer after years without a direct connection.

“For the first time in many years, our two countries will be connected by a direct flight, bringing Israel and the Philippines closer than ever before,” she said.

The Israeli envoy said the new air link would go beyond making travel more convenient, as it could also open more opportunities for tourism, business, investment, and cultural exchanges.

“This is much more than a new flight route,” Kursh said.

“It is a bridge between our peoples, creating new opportunities for tourism, business, investment and cultural exchange, while making it easier for Israelis and Filipinos to discover each other’s beautiful countries,” she added.

The Department of Transportation had earlier pushed for direct flights between the Philippines and Israel, with officials saying improved air connectivity would help strengthen bilateral ties.

Kursh said she looked forward to welcoming more Israeli visitors to the Philippines while encouraging more Filipinos to discover Israel.

“I look forward to welcoming many more Israeli visitors to the Philippines and to seeing even more Filipinos discovering the beauty, diversity and warmth of Israel,” she said.

To all my readers, I encourage you to thank the Lord for this breakthrough of cooperation between Israel and the Philippines. Ambassador Dana Kursh is absolutely right by stating that the direct Manila-Tel Aviv air link is the bridge between Filipinos and the Israelis who will benefit from the new opportunities for tourism, business, investment and cultural exchange. For Filipinos who desire to visit the Holy Land to discover the holy sites, witness the Holy Bible come to life and deepen their faith in the Lord, the direct flights are absolutely golden.

I personally have a desire to return to Israel someday to spend quality with the Lord right there in the Holy Land. I love Israel and I believe strong in the biblical ties between Jews and Christians.

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord for this breakthrough to lead to more breakthroughs for both Filipinos and Israelis.

At the same time, I encourage you all to realize the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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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 Almost 16 Million Foreign Tourists in First 8 Months of 2026

The tourism boom in Vietnam continued strongly as the nation successfully attracted almost sixteen million foreign tourists during the first eight months of 2026, 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…

Vietnam welcomed nearly 2 million international visitors in August, up 19.7% from July and 18.4% year-on-year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

In the first eight months of this year, the country received nearly 16 million foreign visitors, an increase of 14.4% from the same period in 2025 and equivalent to 63.6% of the full-year target.

The August figure is notable as the month is usually considered part of the low season for international tourism.

The result shows that the country’s tourism market continued to maintain and expand its appeal. Air travel remained the main mode of entry, accounting for 83% of international arrivals, while arrivals by road continued to increase, particularly from neighboring countries.

By region, Asia was still Vietnam’s largest source market, with about 11.8 million visitors in the eight-month period, making up nearly 74% of the total and increasing 7.4% year-on-year.

Europe recorded the strongest growth among major regions, at 53.4%, with about 2.68 million visitors.

Arrivals from the Americas reached around 887,000, up 20.7%, while those from Oceania rose 23.3% to nearly 489,000. Africa sent about 45,000 visitors to Vietnam, up 25.1%.

The tourism authority said the figures show that Vietnam is expanding its reach beyond nearby Asian markets, with strong growth from long-haul markets, helping diversify the visitor base and reduce dependence on individual markets.

By country, China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.54 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 2.76 million visitors, or 17.3%. Together, the two markets provided more than 6.3 million visitors, nearly 40% of the country’s total.

Russia ranked third with more than 1 million visitors, representing a year-on-year increase of about 165.7%, the highest growth among major source markets.

Other key markets also posted strong growth. Visitors from the U.S. increased 20.4%, Cambodia 41.5%, Japan 9.2%, the Philippines 58.8% and Australia 23.3%.

European markets continued to perform well, with arrivals from the U.K. rising 9.8%, France 13.4%, Germany 15.1%, Sweden 25.1%, Switzerland 27%, Poland 51.2% and the Czech Republic 28.2%. In Southeast Asia, tourists from Malaysia grew 20.5%, Singapore 31.7%, and Indonesia 26.7%.

India was another fast-growing market. The number of Indian visitors rose from just 102,000 in 2019 to more than 612,000 in the first eight months of 2026.

The expansion of direct air services between major Indian cities and Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang has helped make Vietnam more accessible to Indian travelers.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam can attract at least 25 million foreign tourists by the end of this year? If you plan to visit Vietnam soon, what are your three main reasons for visiting?

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

Japan Dominates 2026 NTT Asia Triathlon Para Championships in Subic Bay

JAPAN won six of nine gold medals at stake in the 2026 NTT Asia Triathlon Para Championships in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone yesterday.

The event was converted to duathlon (2.5km run-20km bike-5km run) after prolonged heavy rains made the water conditions in Subic Bay unsafe for athletes.

Keiichi Sato clocked 1:01:08 to prevail over compatriot Takumi Ando (1:03:56) and Uzbekistan’s Bakhtiyor Murtazayev (1:05:01) in the men’s PTS5 (mild impairment) category race that started and ended at Waterfront Road.

“My weak point is swimming. I like running and biking so this is advantage for me,” said the 47-year-old Sato, who hails from Nagoya which will host the 20th Asian Games.

“I plan to join more tournaments to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, that is my goal,” added Sato, who placed 11th at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Meanwhile, Filipino Alex Silverio delivered a bronze medal in the men’s PTS4 (moderate impairments). He clocked 1:08:36 behind Japan’s Hideki Uda (1:01:21) and Keiya Kaneko (1:06:41).

The other Japanese gold medalists in the tournament organized by Triathlon Philippines in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) were Yukako Hata (women’s PTS2), Masaki Fujita (men’s PTS3), Hideki Uda (men’s PTS4), Ryota Kashiki (men’s PT Visually Impaired) and Shiori Funamizu (women’s PT Wheelchair).

Uzbekistan’s Rustamjan Satiboldiyev (men’s PTS2) and Shokhsanam Sobirjonova (women’s PTS5) and Kyrgysztan’s Guinaz Zhuzbaeva (women’s PT Visually Impaired) also topped their respective categories in the competition sponsored by NTT, Philippine Sports Commission, Pinay in Action, Gatorade, Terrace Hotel, Western Guaranty Corp., Raceya, ENGINE 8 and CM Timing of Jay Cheng.

For more triathlon and multisport updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/TriPhil.  

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Note: This is an official press release issued by Triathlon Philippines.

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

Thailand’s 2026 Tourism Revenue Reaches $29.8 Billion as of August 22

Thailand, one of the leaders of tourism in Southeast Asia, saw its 2026 tourism revenue reach almost $30 billion as of August 22 and it has also attracted over twenty million foreign tourists along the way, according to a report by VnExpress.

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

Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-most visited country after Malaysia, recorded tourism revenue of 984.32 billion baht (US$29.8 billion) between Jan. 1 and Aug. 22, down 2.9% year-on-year, amid a slowdown in tourist arrivals.

The top five sources of tourists contributing to this revenue were China, Malaysia, India, Russia, and South Korea, Nation Thailand reported.

The tourism-dependent country welcomed 20.32 million international visitors during the period, down 2.96% from the same period last year.

Once a tourism powerhouse in Southeast Asia, Thailand has faced a slowdown in foreign arrivals since last year amid growing concerns over kidnapping and visitor safety.

Safety concerns have intensified following the deaths of two Russian tourists and three members of a Thai family in Chon Buri Province earlier this month, Bangkok Post reported.

The recent kidnapping of a Chinese tourist, who managed to escape before being taken across the border into Myanmar, has renewed concerns over the safety of foreign visitors.

The Thai government has cut its forecast for Chinese arrivals in 2026 from 9 million to 7 million.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Thailand’s tourism can somehow attract more foreign tourists and at least match their 2025 numbers? Do you consider Thailand a very safe place for foreigners? If you have visited Thailand before, did you get good value in return on your spending 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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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippines 2026 Foreign Tourist Arrivals Reach 4.11 Million as of August, U.S. and South Korea Remain Top Markets

With the Peso performing terribly in the global currency market, weakening economic growth, high inflation and fears of an economic recession growing, 2026 has not been good for the Philippines. There is a bright spot in tourism, however, as the Philippines saw its 2026 foreign tourist arrivals reach 4.11 million in the January-August period and the United States and South Korea combined for more than 1.5 million tourist arrivals, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

The Philippines has recorded 4.11 million foreign arrivals from January to August, higher by 3.7 percent compared to the same period last year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Tuesday.

The United States posted the highest number of share at 818,318, followed by South Korea at 727,379, Japan at 350,191, China at 310,088, and Australia at 234,156.

Also making it in the top 10 source markets are Canada with 231,972, Taiwan with 154,957, the United Kingdom with 132,370, Singapore with 126,812, and India with 77,883.

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the Philippines targets to surpass its 2025 arrival figures to reach between 6.4 million and 6.8 million, or at least 7 million, by the end of 2026.

To achieve this, she said the DOT is intensifying its branding and promotions to reach more tourists in its key source markets.

The DOT is also in active talks with airlines to open up and establish more chartered flights between the Philippines and secondary cities of Korea and China.

DOT Assistant Secretary Ren Sapitan said the agency is also set to sign a contract with a creative agency in November to broaden the country’s marketing efforts and make the Philippines more visible worldwide.

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 the 2025 foreign tourist arrivals number by the end of this year? Do you think the DOT is doing a good job to strengthen the Philippines’ attraction of foreign tourists? Considering the Top 10 markets of foreign tourists the Philippines attracted so far, are you convinced that the nation’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit did not create any positive tourism results?

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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Two Foreigners Arrested over Tokyo Luxury Watch Theft

Recently in Japan, police officers arrested two men from the nation of Chile over the theft of four luxury wristwatches from a store in Tokyo, according to a news report by NHK World. One of the suspects admitted that he and his partner planned to sell the stolen watches and bring the money back with them to Chile.

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

Japanese police have arrested two Chilean men on suspicion of stealing four luxury wristwatches from a shop in Tokyo’s Nakano Ward earlier this week. The stolen items are worth about 200 million yen, or roughly 1.25 million dollars.

Police arrested the men after they were found at a private lodging facility in the western city of Osaka on Thursday. The suspects are 23 and 33 years old, respectively.

Police say investigators found a watch of the same brand as one of the stolen items in the men’s belongings.

Police quote the 23-year-old suspect as saying the two stole only one watch. They also say the 33-year-old suspect admitted to the allegations, and told investigators that the pair planned to sell the watches and take the money back to their home country.

Police say they are investigating where the suspects traveled to after they arrived in Japan on August 21, and what led them to commit the crime.

The theft occurred at a watch retailer in the Nakano Broadway commercial facility on Tuesday. A display case was broken with a hammer. Two perpetrators were in the shop for only around 10 seconds before fleeing the scene.

For additional insight, watch the related Nippon TV news video below.

https://youtu.be/OPuJ9_rh-_8?si=ZlYpBvl6xHukVf-D

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the two Chilean suspects are guilty of the crime beyond reasonable doubt? Do you think the investigators will be able to find more details behind the theft and how the suspects traveled all the way to Osaka after committing the theft in Tokyo? If you were in Japan during the past few years, have you ever witnessed foreigners committing violence or theft 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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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Tourism Industry of Vietnam Shifts Focus From Visitor Numbers to Spending

As it enjoys the many benefits of the ongoing tourism boom, Vietnam now has the opportunity to truly build itself up economically by means of long-term investments and creating new jobs. That said, the tourism industry of the nation has shifted focus from attracting visitors to higher spending, longer stays and other economic opportunities, 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…

Vietnam is shifting tourism growth from attracting more visitors to generating greater value from each trip, with a focus on higher spending, longer stays, green development, technology application and cultural experiences.

The country aims to welcome 45-50 million international visitors and 160 million domestic tourists by 2030, Do Cam Tho, head of the Planning and Finance Division at the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said at HORECFEX Vietnam 2026, a major hospitality and tourism forum.

She said 2026-27 would be a pivotal period in shifting tourism development from expansion in scale to deeper value creation.

Vietnam welcomed 21.2 million international visitors and 137 million domestic tourists in 2025, with total tourism revenue estimated at around VND1 quadrillion ($38.1 billion).

In the first seven months of 2026, the country received nearly 13.92 million foreign tourists, up 13.8% year on year, while domestic visitors numbered about 98 million, with tourism revenue of 675 trillion VND.

International visitors currently spend an average of US$1,200-1,400 per trip in Vietnam, while domestic tourists about 2.4-2.6 million VND (US$92-99).

About 70% of foreign visitors come from China, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Taiwan (China), while markets with higher spending power, including the Middle East, Northern Europe, North America and Australia, still account for relatively small shares.

Tourism is receiving greater attention as Vietnam seeks to achieve rapid national development and make tourism a spearhead economic sector, Tho was quoted by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper as saying.

Under the proposed approach, Vietnam targets total tourism revenue of $80-90 billion by 2030. The country is expected to have about 1.5 million accommodation rooms and tourism is projected to create around 5.8 million direct and indirect jobs.

Among three development scenarios for 2030, the most ambitious targets annual international visitor growth of 15-18%. Achieving it will require institutional reforms, development of the night-time economy, diversification of high-end markets and measures to increase visitor spending.

VNAT said Vietnam will continue to consolidate Northeast Asian and ASEAN markets while expanding into Europe, North America, Australia and other markets with high spending capacity and longer stays.

India, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Russia and Muslim markets have been identified as areas with significant growth potential.

For domestic tourism, the focus will shift from boosting visitor numbers to encouraging higher spending, with an emphasis on two- to three-day weekend getaways, high-end Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, family vacations and night-time tourism.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam’s tourism industry players are fully prepared to make the most of the economic benefits that come with surging foreign and domestic tourism? Do you think new investments related with the tourism boom will be made soon in Vietnam? How many millions of new jobs do you think will be created in Vietnam as a result of the tourism boom?

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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Attracts 416,000 Visitors From The Philippines During First 7 Months Of 2026

Among the fourteen million foreign tourists Vietnam attracted during the first seven months of 2026 are visitors from the Philippines totaling 416,000, according to report by VnExpress. The authorities have described the Philippines as having the biggest increase among Southeast Asian markets.

The 416,000 of Philippine visitors is significant as there were over 480,000 Filipinos who visited Vietnam in the entire year of 2025. It is recalled that Filipino interest in visiting Vietnam has been strong and the governments of the two nations agreed to cooperate on tourism and air connectivity. As a tourist destination, the Philippines has been very weak attracting only 5.94 foreign tourists in 2025. Vietnam attracted over 21 million foreign tourists that same year.

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

The number of visitors from the Philippines to Vietnam jumped 63.6% year-on-year between January and July to 416,000, the biggest increase among Southeast Asian markets.

In the region, there were huge increases also in the number of arrivals from Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. They increased by 40.8%, 31%, 27.3%, and 21.6%, according to the General Statistics Office.

The tourism industry attributed the jump in the number of visitors from Southeast Asia to a rapidly expanding flight network and growing demand for intra-regional travel.

Indonesia AirAsia launched a direct flight connecting Bali (Denpasar) and Da Nang on March 20 while Vietjet launched a direct route connecting Da Nang and Jakarta on April 29.

In March, Philippines AirAsia launched a new direct route linking Da Nang with Manila in the Philippines.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering the strong Filipino interest on visiting Vietnam, would you be surprised to see Vietnam attract 1,000,000 visitors from the Philippines by the end of this year? What do you think makes Vietnam a special travel destination for Filipinos?

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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

13.9 Million Foreign Tourists Arrived In Vietnam During First 7 Months Of 2026

With tourism industry of Vietnam is undeniably growing rapidly as almost fourteen million foreign tourists arrived there during the first seven months of 2026, according to report by VnExpress.

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

Vietnam welcomed 13.9 million international arrivals during the first seven months this year, up 13.8% from a year earlier, as the country’s image as a safe and stable destination continued to attract travelers amid geopolitical tensions worldwide.

In July alone, the number of foreign visitors to Vietnam reached 1.67 million, down 0.7% year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Mainland China remained the largest source of visitors so far this year with 3.08 million, followed by South Korea with 2.38 million.

The rest of the top 10 were Russia, Taiwan, the U.S., Cambodia, India, Japan, the Phillippines and Australia.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering how many foreign tourists it attracted so far this year, do you think Vietnam will eventually hit 24 million foreign tourist arrivals by the end of 2026? Do you think the new Long Thanh International Airport will somehow help attract a large number of overseas travelers once it starts operating this December?

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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Surpasses Thailand As Southeast Asia’s 2nd Largest Aviation Market

With its booming tourism industry making huge economic impact, Vietnam surpassed Thailand as and emerged as the 2nd largest aviation market in Southeast Asia this past July, 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…

Vietnam surpassed Thailand to become the second largest Southeast Asian aviation market with 7.4 million seats in July, an increase in capacity of 5.6% year-on-year, according to a report by British aviation analytics firm OAG.

Indonesia remained the largest Southeast Asia market with 10.9 million seats, up 0.3% year-on-year.

Thailand, which held the second spot in previous months, slipped to third place with 6.9 million seats, a 3% reduction in capacity, followed by Malaysia and the Phillippines. The report said capacity reduced in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines due to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam Airlines is the largest airline in Southeast Asia in July with 2.81 million seats, growing by just 0.1% year-on-year, according to OAG.

Overall capacity in the Southeast Asian market reduced by 1.2% compared to July last year to 50.4 million seats due to rising fuel costs triggered by political tensions in the Middle East, OAG reported.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering its rapidly growing tourism industry, were you surprised that Vietnam registered 7.4 million seats this past July? Considering what was achieved recently, do you think Vietnam will grow further as an aviation market once its new Long Thanh International Airport becomes operational?

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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Several Entertainment Venues In Thailand Ordered To Shut Down

Following the raid of illegal hotels in Phuket, Thailand, the local authorities in Bangkok issued orders to almost eighty entertainment venues to shut down over widespread licensing and safety violations, according to a VnExpress news report.

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

Authorities in Bangkok, Thailand’s nightlife hub, have ordered 79 entertainment venues to suspend operations after a week-long inspection campaign uncovered widespread licensing and safety violations across the capital.

Nineteen establishments were ordered to suspend live music performances for lacking the required entertainment permits, while 60 businesses were temporarily shut down for operating without valid licences, Thairath Online news site reported.

The inspections, carried out between July 19 and 26, covered 865 of the city’s 1,204 targeted entertainment venues, or about 72% of the total, Deputy Bangkok Governor Pornphrom Vikitsreth said as quoted by The Nation.

The inspections came after a fire tore through a beer hall and live music venue in Bangkok’s Chatuchak District on July 12, killing 36 people and injuring 70 in Thailand’s deadliest blaze in more than a decade.

Authorities said inspections of entertainment venues and similar businesses will continue across Bangkok to strengthen public safety, ensure operators comply with regulations and restore confidence among both local patrons and foreign tourists visiting the city’s nightlife districts.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you plan to visit Bangkok soon, do you think the current crackdown by the local authorities will make the city safer for tourists?

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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

I Love Israel: Israel Seeks More Visitors From Southeast Asia

In a serious attempt to attract more travelers from Southeast Asia, the tourism ministry of Israel enhanced the existing ties with travel agencies in the Philippines and Singapore, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

Israel’s Ministry of Tourism is seeking to attract more travelers from Southeast Asia by strengthening ties with travel agencies in the Philippines and Singapore, as it promotes the country’s destinations and assures visitors of safety.

The ministry recently hosted a seven-day familiarization tour for travel agents from both countries, showcasing Israel’s religious, historical, adventure and leisure attractions as part of its campaign to expand arrivals from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

The itinerary included visits to Jerusalem, Dead Sea and Tel Aviv, as well as a jeep tour through the Judean Desert and a wine tour in the Golan Heights.

Hassan Madah, international director of the Israel Ministry of Tourism in Jerusalem, said the country remains open to international visitors.

“We welcome you all. Israel is open to everyone, and travelers can be assured that our country is safe to visit,” Madah said.

He said the ministry hopes to welcome more visitors from the Philippines and Singapore, citing the country’s religious sites, historic cities, deserts and beaches as key attractions.

The ministry identified the Philippines as one of its priority markets in Asia, alongside India, China and South Korea, with growth driven largely by faith-based travel.

Singapore, meanwhile, is considered a strategic market because of its position as a regional aviation and travel hub.

The tourism ministry said it has been strengthening partnerships with Southeast Asian travel industry stakeholders through regional events, including ITB Asia in Singapore.

Despite the lack of direct flights between the Philippines and Israel, Filipino arrivals have remained steady, according to the ministry.

The Department of Tourism and the Israel Ministry of Tourism have signed a joint declaration of intent to promote two-way tourism and are engaged in discussions with airlines on improving connectivity.

Israel Ministry of Tourism Philippines Marketing Manager Anna Oraiza Aban said visa-free travel access for Philippine and Singaporean passport holders makes visits to Israel more convenient.

To all my readers, I encourage you to thank the Lord for this breakthrough of cooperation between Israel and both the Philippines and Singapore as the Jewish state seeks more visitors from Southeast Asia.  

As such, I encourage you all to pray to the Lord for this breakthrough to lead to more breakthroughs in terms of improved travel, more connections between Israel and Southeast Asia, and more opportunities for Southeast Asian people to visit the Holy Land and realize the legacy of God, Lord Jesus and the Jewish people.

At the same time, I encourage you all to realize the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Illegal Hotels Raided In Thailand

In Phuket Island in Thailand, the local authorities recently raided three properties – two of which were originally developed for residential purposes – that illegally operated as hotels catering to foreign tourists, according to a news report by VnExpress. This is only a part of the ongoing crackdown against illegal hotels and already something wrong have been uncovered.

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

Thailand has intensified its crackdown on illegal hotels on its largest island Phuket after inspections found three properties operating without licenses.

Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee recently led a joint inspection in Phuket targeting three hotels with about 200, 240, and 45 rooms. Authorities found that none had valid construction permits or hotel operating licenses, according to Bangkok Post.

Investigators said two of the properties had originally been approved as residential buildings or condominiums but were later converted into hotels without authorization.

Officials also carried out online booking tests, confirming the hotels were primarily marketing rooms to European and other foreign tourists, with virtually no Thai customers.

The investigation also uncovered suspected nominee ownership arrangements involving companies with 49% foreign and 51% Thai shareholding. Some properties were legally owned by Thai nationals but leased to Chinese investors, who allegedly operated hotels without the required licenses.

The inspections were part of a broader operation covering more than 10 locations across Phuket. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat has been instructed to order businesses to shut down immediately if operators fail to provide the required documentation.

Narucha Kosasivilize, director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration, said operating a hotel without a license violated the law and caused widespread harm, according to The Nation.

He said the problem had three major consequences: it hurt the economy by placing legally compliant, tax-paying operators at a disadvantage; it posed safety risks because illegal accommodations often failed to meet government safety standards, putting tourists’ lives and property at risk; and it tarnished Thailand’s image while undermining long-term confidence in the country’s tourism sector.

The Department of Provincial Administration is working with the Royal Thai Police, the Ministry of Commerce, the Department of Special Investigation, and other agencies to expand investigations into foreign business networks across the country.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the authorities in Thailand will be able to find and raid all existing illegal hotels?

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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Palestinian Arrested In Quezon City For Stealing Money Bag

For some time now, I have been monitoring the criminal acts committed by people who are present in different countries as foreigners. Here in the Philippines, a Palestinian man was arrested in Quezon City for stealing a bag containing a lot of cash from the café of a hotel, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

As it turns out, the Palestinian already has a history of committing other forms of crime. Could it be possible that, apart from violence and terrorism, theft and an obsession of committing crime are parts of the Palestinian nature?

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

A 36-year-old Palestinian man was arrested after allegedly taking a money bag containing P5,020 and an empty cash box from a hotel café on Timog Avenue in Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, at around 11:06 p.m. on Thursday, July 23.

The suspect, identified as “Ham,” was intercepted by hotel security personnel at the establishment’s exit after the incident was detected through the hotel’s CCTV monitoring system.

Initial investigation showed that the suspect entered the café and allegedly took the money bag and empty cash box without the knowledge or consent of the 24-year-old male cashier.

Recovered from the suspect were P5,020 in various peso bills and coins, the cash bag, the empty cash box, and a backpack.

Personnel of Kamuning Police Station (PS 10) later responded and took custody of the suspect from the hotel security personnel.

Further verification showed that the suspect had previous criminal records for estafa, unjust vexation, resistance and disobedience to a person in authority, use of a fictitious name, and concealing his true name in October 2025, as well as theft in May 2026.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are there a lot of Palestinians living in your local community right now? Are you aware of the fact that a lot of Palestinians follow Islamic terrorists as their leaders? How many Palestinians do you think are present all over the Philippines today? Did you notice an increase of the number of foreign Islamists in your local community over the past twelve months? Do you think the national government is secretly allowing Palestinians to enter the Philippines as high-priority refugees with immigration in mind?

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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippines Attracts 2.9 Million Foreign Tourists In First Half Of 2026

For the first half of this year, the Philippines attracted 2.9 million foreign tourists and 1.13 million of that came from the United States and South Korea combined, according to a news report by Business Mirror. The figure does not include the 260,717 overseas Filipinos or balikbayan.

When compared to its Asian neighbors’ first-half foreign tourist numbers, the Philippines is still way behind Vietnam which attracted 12.3 million and Japan which attracted 21 million.

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

MORE relaxed visa entry requirements have enabled the Philippines to attract an increasing number of foreign tourists, lifting total visitor arrivals by 5.41 percent in the first half of the year.

Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed 3.16 million inbound tourists from January to June 2026, of which 2.9 million were foreign nationals and 260,717 were overseas Filipinos. The latter are described as Philippine passport holders permanently residing abroad. This year’s arrivals are 76.5 percent of the 4.13 million total in the first half of prepandemic 2019.

The DOT stressed that the data are based on e-travel records provided by the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and are not final until Bureau of Immigration records are taken into account. E-travel registration is mandatory for those arriving in the Philippines except foreign diplomats, dignitaries, foreign government officials and their delegation, visiting business executives and students  sponsored by the Philippine  government or international organizations, and their immediate family members (9e visa).

Of the total foreign nationals, which were up 6.3 percent from the 2.73 million year on year (yoy), tourists from China and India were the most improved by 64.54 percent and 43 percent, respectively. Residents from both countries have been allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free for tourism purposes for 14 days.

The top 12 source markets of visitors for the Philippines all recorded increases, except for South Korea, with long-haul markets like Germany even showing monthly increases yoy, despite the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which had jacked up jet fuel prices.

S. Korea plunges 13.7% – The United States continues to be the top source market for the Philippines with arrivals at 581,565 in the first half of the year, an increase of some 6.9 percent from the same period in 2025. Most of the market continues to be composed of Americans of Filipino decent, or Filipino immigrants, who visit the Philippines usually during the holiday season in December and January.

Some 300 Filipino-Americans are currently in the country as part of government’s long-running Very Important Pinoy (VIP) tour, and visiting destinations other than Metro Manila such as Cebu, Dumaguete, and Siquijor.

In second place are tourists from South Korea at 552,860, slumping by 13.7 percent, yoy. This was followed by Japan at 581,565 (+6.87 percent); China at 219,796 (+64.54 percent); Australia at 174,257 (+12.3 percent); and Canada at 156,763 (+15.6 percent), another haven of Filipino immigrants. Air Canada began offering direct flights from Vancouver to Manila in April last year, while flag carrier Philippine Airlines offers nonstop flights between Manila and Vancouver, and Toronto.

Tourists from Taiwan were in seventh place at 111,134, an increase of 11.85 percent; folowed by the United Kingdom at 92,829 (+1.7 percent); Singapore at 78,069 (0.35 percent); India at 60,583 (43.03 percent); Malaysia at 53,437 (+11.5 percent); and Germany at 48,657 (+6.9 percent).

Under the General Appropriations Act of 2026, the DOT committed to attract 6.7 million foreign tourists this year.

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 attract 6.7 million foreign tourists by the end of this year? What do you think are the three most serious problems the Philippines has when it comes to attracting foreign tourists?

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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippines Supreme Court Upholds Law Granting VAT Refund To Foreign Tourists

Remember the law granting value-added tax refund (VAT refund) to foreign tourists signed a few years ago? That law was challenged and recently the Supreme Court of the Philippines upheld the constitutionality of Republic Act 12079 (the act creating a VAT refund mechanism for non-resident tourists), according to a news report by GMA News.

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

The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the constitutionality of a law that grants value-added tax (VAT) refunds on select local purchases by non-resident foreign tourists.

In a 30-page decision, the SC En Banc dismissed a petition challenging the validity of Republic Act 12079, or an act creating a VAT refund mechanism for non-resident tourists, adding Section 112-A to the National Internal Revenue Code.

“Granting VAT refund to foreign tourists was not arbitrarily done. It is a policy decision based on legitimate state interests, i.e. the need to remain competitive as a global tourist destination,” the SC said.

“In fine, foreign tourists may be granted privileges and benefits that are not extended to Filipino citizens, so as long as these distinctions are based on reasonable and justifiable classifications, as in here,” it added.

According to the SC, the VAT refund applies to goods brought from duly accredited stores and taken out of the country within 60 days from purchase. The goods must be priced at least P3,000 per transaction.

Meanwhile, the SC said Section 5 of the law’s implementing rules and regulations limit the refund to retail and tangible goods, including clothing, apparel, electronics, gadgets, jewelry, accessories, souvenirs, food or non-food consumables, and other items intended for personal use.

The petitioner, however, argued that the law violates the constitutional guarantee of equal protection as it excludes Filipino citizens.

For its part, the SC said equal protection does not require identical treatment for all persons.

It said the act also distinguishes foreign tourists from Filipino citizens.

According to the SC, the VAT refund system follows the basic rule of VAT that goods are taxed where they are consumed. If the goods are consumed in the Philippines, they remain subject to Philippine VAT.

Meanwhile, the SC added that VAT refund for foreign tourists is a well-established international practice.

“The Philippines is among the last few countries in Asia to adopt such a system. Our Asian neighbors, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Japan have long implemented this VAT refund mechanism for foreign tourists,” it said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s decision on the law about VAT refund for foreign tourists? Apart from the VAT refund for foreign tourists, what problems that plagued the Philippine tourism industry should the government solve 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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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco