Asia

Bali Flights Canceled After Volcano Erupts

Harry Suhartono, Bloomberg

Booked tourists must be asking why now, but this is a good call by Indonesian officials.

Fortunes May Soon Improve for Macau’s Casinos

Angus Whitley and Daniela Wei, Bloomberg

Since casinos in the region are so dependent on China for customers, an improving Chinese economy is bound to help with growth.

Sri Lanka Uses Tax Waivers to Boost Tourism Investment After Attacks

Karthikeyan Sundaram, Bloomberg

Sri Lanka is looking at a multiyear comeback trail for tourism after last month's attacks. Tax waivers will make the destination more attractive for travel industry investors but do little to reassure travelers that they'll be safe once they arrive.

How Japan’s Setouchi Region Is Reinventing Its Tourism Sector From the Ground Up

Japan National Tourism Organization + Skift

Japan’s Setouchi Region was once a relatively unknown corner of the country, left off the itineraries of most travelers. But that’s changing quickly, thanks to high profile attractions like Naoshima Island. How will Setouchi’s tourism stakeholders find the right strategy to help it sustain and grow this tourism success story?

With More Leisure Time, Chinese Tourists Are Traveling More Too

Matthew Lubin

Chinese citizens are enjoying more free time, and they’re leveraging that time to travel more. But with government initiatives promoting nationalistic “red tourism,” international destination marketing organizations face some stiff competition.

Singapore Club Gets Indoor Ferris Wheel as Nightlife Operator Gets Tourism Lift

Ranjeetha Pakiam and Joyce Koh, Bloomberg

This sounds like a crazy rich nightclub. The Singapore tourism boom revolves around more than just the benefits of a popular movie, but that didn't hurt, either.

Thailand Suffers an Unusual Fall in Arrivals and Visitor Spending

Siraphob Thanthong-Knight, Bloomberg

A 0.7 percent drop in arrivals for most destinations is no big deal. But for Thailand, which has been enjoying month-after-month and year-over-year increases in visitor numbers, that’s sobering. Moreover, tourist spending dropped at a higher rate of 1.3 percent.

Travel Advisor Risk and Responsibility in Sri Lanka

Allan Leibowitz, Skift

Leisure travel advisors may not have the same obligations as their corporate travel counterparts when it comes to keeping travelers safe, but this week’s terror attack raises questions about risk and responsibility.

Sri Lanka Tourism Braces for Cancellations After Fatal Blasts

Asantha Sirimanne and Michelle Jamrisko, Bloomberg

Industry players are reeling from shock at the Easter Sunday deadly attack that targeted tourists. Sri Lanka has been enjoying a long period of peace, gaining the confidence of visitors and investors. Now, this. Cancellations are inevitable; it’s the long term that is uncertain and the destination must be vigilant.

Asia’s Persistent Pollution Problems Weigh on Tourism Opportunities

Raini Hamdi, Skift

If China can make good progress to reduce pollution levels, why can't other Asian countries do it? Makes us sick — pun intended — just thinking about it.

Deadly Attacks in Sri Lanka Target Luxury Hotels and Churches

Asantha Sirimanne and Anusha Ondaatjie, Bloomberg

Sands’ Reliance on Macau Fortunes Grows

Rob Golum, Bloomberg

Macau is producing for Las Vegas Sands, despite doubts early this year about the strength of Chinese spending. The company can thank lady luck for Macau, especially when its home base and Singapore are reporting lower earnings.