Vietnam has been actively adopting various measures to draw foreign tourists, improve the quality of its tourism sector, and facilitate the entry and stay of foreign nationals.

With its new visa exemption policy, Vietnam has been more attractive to visitors from near and far, with the number of tourist arrivals far exceeding the country’s set target, Malaysia’s only broadsheet format English language newspaper highlighted in its article “Visa-free travel a boon”.

Thailand’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) industry this year is estimated to recover to 80% of the 2019 level in terms of revenue, but it may slow in 2024 as pent-up demand eases, according to the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (Tica).

Indonesia’s visa-free visit policy for 159 countries was revoked based on the outcomes of a benefit-based evaluation, stated President Joko Widodo on June 21.

The number of foreign travellers visiting Indonesia plunged by 87.44 percent year-on-year to 160,000 in April, reported the National Agency of Statistics of Indonesia.

The visa exemption policy for citizens of five European countries will expire in the next three months. Whether and when it might be renewed are still open questions, creating a headache for tourists and Vietnamese businesses that serve them.

Despite a slight decrease in the number of tourists in 2015, the first time in many years, Vietnam’s non-smoke industry still has a bright future ahead, according to tourism authorities.