Asia Is Open but Recovery Is Slow
Skift Take
- The Wall Street Journal published an article on how Asia Pacific may have reopened to tourism, but the recovery is slow.
- Oyo Hotels filed new financial documents with the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
- Japan plans to resume visa-free air tickets in October and Taiwan plans to open its borders from mid-to-late October.
The Wall Street Journal published an article on how Asia Pacific may have reopened to tourism, but the recovery is slow. That seems to be what is spurring dropping even more restrictions in what seems to be a race to be the most open country. The article said experiences in nations from New Zealand to South Korea suggest it will take several years more for tourism businesses in the Asia Pacific region to enjoy 2019-like conditions. We have been saying it for some time but we will repeat it since the WSJ said it. The reason for the slow-going is simple. Without the Chinese traveler, every country is competing for a smaller pie. We don’t think this is so difficult to comprehend. Countries like Singapore seem to have adjusted, while we believe more China-tourism-dependent nations like Vietnam and South Korea may take a lot longer.
It’s not like the region is not going to do whatever it takes. Japan plans to resume visa-free air tickets in October, Taiwan plans to open its borders from mid-to-late October. It is not like Taiwan is not seeing a strong steady Omicron-wave of Covid infections but the government said more than 99% are showing no or only mild symptoms so they are relaxing rather than tightening restrictions. Taiwan began resuming visa-free entry for visitors from countries including the US and Canada. Hong Kong is expected to detail plans to end the hotel quarantine for inbound travelers, as soon as early this week. Oriental Daily said instead arrivals will be required to undergo self-monitoring for seven days. As for Singapore, room prices are
