Laos is about to introduce a visa-free policy for Chinese visitors to promote tourism in late June, which will be applied in the second half of 2024 only for tourist groups accompanied by travel agents, local media reported.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on June 19 unveiled its tourism promotion policy for the second half of this year, in which Thailand will focus on attracting customers from long-distance markets to help the agency meet the government’s target of 3.5 trillion baht (over 95 billion USD) in tourism revenue this year.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) consider expanding the coverage of the visa exemption policy.

Tourism companies have been developing new tours and products to attract international tourists who usually choose the time from August to April to visit Vietnam.

Indonesia’s visa-free visit policy for 159 countries was revoked based on the outcomes of a benefit-based evaluation, stated President Joko Widodo on June 21.

Experts have emphasised the urgent need to immediately restore the visa-free policy, which has been suspended since 2020, in order to lure more international holiday-makers when the country pilot welcoming foreign tourists back.

The HCM City People’s Committee wants the Government to extend the visa waiver period for tourists from key foreign markets to increase the country’s tourism competitiveness and attract more visitors.

Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Tourism has proposed the Government extend its visa exemption policy for international tourists from nine countries to 30 days from 15 days to promote tourism development to help reach the city’s target of 10-11 million international tourists in 2020.