Asian travel destinations roar back to life!
Asia is back!
According to our friends at Travel Weekly Asia, the Year of the Tiger looks to be far more auspicius than for the last two animals (Rat and Ox).
Recent moves by governments in Asia show that they are taking strong steps to reopen travel and tourism. Signs are clear that reopen plans will get onto an accelerated track in 2022. Here are some of the key developments.
Indonesia's reopening begins with Bali, Bintan and Batam
The great news for Australian travellers is that Bali is finally reopening its doors to all international travellers.
Although Bali had earlier reopened to selected markets including China, Japan and New Zealand since mid-October 2021, no direct international flights had called on the destination.
The island finally welcomed its first international tourist flight from Tokyo by Garuda Indonesia on 3 February, while Singapore Airlines had earlier announced that it would resume flights to Bali from 16 February.
Although vaccinated travellers to the island must still quarantine between five and seven days at hotels, we recommend that you keep a keen eye open, as this is likely to change very soon.
Philippines reopens to international tourism after two years
Coron, a small island off Palawan in the Philippines Photo Credit: Getty Images/Sean3810
After being closed to international tourists for nearly two years, the Philippines will launch quarantine-free travel from 10 February.
The February reopening date follows a postponed December 2021 reopening derailed by the omicron variant.
Travellers will be required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of their departure as well as self-monitor for symptoms for seven days after arrival.
Thailand resumes Test & Go programme
After pausing its quarantine-free programme earlier, Thailand has reinstated the popular Test & Go scheme from 1 February. Under this revised programme, vaccinated travellers from any market are now welcomed to the country but they will have to undergo two PCR tests—upon arrival and on day five of their stay at a participating hotel. If they test negative, visitors can travel around the country without restrictions.
Singapore's commitment to staying open
That major events like Singapore Airshow and Formula 1 Grand Prix are making a comeback on the events calendar this year speaks volumes about the country’s commitment to pursue a reopening track.
Leveraging its strong diplomatic ties around the world, the Singapore government has also reinstated the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme allowing fully vaccinated visitors from select countries to enter and explore the country after a PCR test upon arrival.
Vietnam's full reopening comes into radar
Vietnam has launched a three-phase plan to allow fully vaccinated foreign tourists into the country, starting with specific destinations such as Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Hoi An and Nha Trang since November 2021.
With the roll-out of the second phase, which begun in January 2022, international flights have been approved between Vietnam and nine destinations including San Francisco or Los Angeles, Singapore, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Beijing or Guangzhou, Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei.
A full reopening expected sometime in June or July 2022, although Vietnam’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung has also proposed a total reopening of the country to international tourism from 31 March.
Come May, Vietnam is also scheduled to host the 31st Southeast Asia Games from May 12-25 in Hanoi.
Cambodia: 'easiest to travel to' in Southeast Asia
Currently touted to be the most open to tourism and easiest to travel to among ASEAN nations, Cambodia has reopened fully to international vaccinated travellers without quarantine requirements since November.
Vaccinated travellers need only have a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to departure to Cambodia, a negative RTK test upon arrival and health insurance covering US$50,000.
Malaysia: Langkawi travel bubble and beyond
Malaysia is open to international travellers through the Langkawi International Travel Bubble. Under this scheme, visitors can enter Langkawi for a minimum stay of three days sans quarantine. After seven days in Langkawi and a second PCR test, travellers are then free to explore the rest of Malaysia.
Japan shortens quarantine period for foreign arrivals
Due to the Omicron variant, Japan has extended the ban that bars foreign visitors from entering until the end of February. Meanwhile, the country has reduced its on-arrival quarantine period twice in two weeks—from 14 days to 10 days and now to seven days.
