Travel marketing platform Sojern has released its report on weekly travel trends for APAC markets.
● Japan's entry bans remain in place on 152 countries including most of Asia. Visa exemptions are still temporarily suspended, and everyone allowed to enter Japan still must undergo a 14 day quarantine. Most foreigners, including those with residency in Japan will be turned away at the border. More Japanese prefectures have instituted stricter social distancing rules.
● South Korea is allowing for more travel flexibility for vaccinated travellers (no quarantine necessary).
● Australian tourism board is heavily promoting longer domestic vacations. Also, the Australian government appears to be eyeing a mid-2022 border re-opening.
● Singapore and Taiwan experienced a spike in Covid cases. So both countries have reinstated some lockdown measures. This has indefinitely delayed the Hong Kong / Singapore travel bubble. Additionally, Hong Kong is setting stricter rules for travellers from Taiwan (21 day quarantine). Entry is still largely limited to Singapore citizens and permanent residents. Short term tourist visits from Australia, Brunei, Mainland China, New Zealand, Taiwan and Vietnam are now allowed, subject to securing an Air Travel Pass and taking a PCR test on arrival. Both the pre-departure and post-arrival rules are quite strict though, which significantly limits the appeal.
● Thailand and Malaysia continue to experience record high Covid cases. Lockdowns have been reinstated. Thailand’s planned July 1 re-opening for tourists will likely get delayed because of the current outbreak.
● Indonesia’s domestic travel was strong in the past 2 weeks because of the Eid holidays. Government shorten holiday to discourage returning to hometowns to try and control a spike in cases.
● Covid cases continue to be near record highs in India, and state governments extended strict lockdown measures.
