Sabah, Malaysia, is experiencing a significant increase in tourist arrivals from China, driven by the expansion of Shanghai-Kota Kinabalu flights.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is monitoring the revival of tourism ties between China and Japan, concerned about its potential impact on the inbound Chinese market to Thailand in the latter half of the year.

Malaysia is actively working to attract more Chinese tourists, having already seen a significant increase in visitors from China.

Japan has announced a fivefold increase in visa and residency charges, effective from July 1st, marking the first change since 1978, with authorities not expecting an immediate impact on inbound tourism, though Chinese tourists are anticipated to be among the hardest hit.

Mexico is enhancing internet access across the country as part of a strategy to increase tourism from China.

Cambodia is banking on a new visa-free scheme for Chinese tourists to revitalize its tourism sector, following a 44% drop in international arrivals during the first quarter.

A Chinese tourist has been permanently barred from Thailand after allegedly kicking and damaging automated passport control gates at Bangkok's main airport.

Chinese tourists visiting South Korea will soon be able to hail local taxis using China's ride-hailing giant DiDi Chuxing's app, following a partnership between T-money Mobility and DiDi.

Mainland Chinese tourists may have come for the tombolo but left with a deeper understanding of Hong Kong’s coral reefs and marine life after the government stepped up promotion and protection…

Canada's efforts to strengthen relations with Beijing and attract Chinese tourists are facing obstacles due to a lack of direct flight connections, with airlines hesitant to add new routes amid high jet fuel costs.

Analysts predict Chinese tourist numbers for the upcoming five-day Labour Day holiday could match or exceed last year's, despite higher global fuel prices, with travellers likely opting for shorter trips.

Police in Busan, South Korea, have launched an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a Chinese tourist. A Japanese man is reportedly involved in the incident.

South Korea's active courtship of Chinese tourists is seen as a significant indicator of the consumption potential within the tourism sector, according to a Global Times analysis.

Sri Lanka aims to attract 300,000 Chinese tourists this year to help compensate for a decline in European arrivals, focusing on revitalizing its tourism sector.

Four Chinese tourists risked their own lives to rescue a young South Korean woman from drowning in Malaysia, according to Korean-language media. The incident took place on March 9 near Sapi Island in Kota Kinabalu, according to reports. A Chinese tourist surnamed Meng was snorkeling with friends when she heard a girl crying for help. The girl was not wearing a life jacket and appeared to be struggling to stay afloat. Meng and a friend reached the girl and tried to keep her above water, but soon

The bodies were found inside a car in Queensland’s flood-hit Gympie region.

Nol Universe said Tuesday that its global travel and entertainment booking platform Nol World recorded a record 2.64 million monthly active users in January, driven by an influx of Chinese tourists…

Japanese retailers, particularly department stores, are struggling with a double-digit drop in duty-free sales due to a boycott by Chinese tourists.

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues.

Avoiding Japan, Chinese tourists fuel rebound in Thai tourism  The Straits Times

Incidents of drownings have reportedly dampened the enthusiasm of Chinese tourists for travel to Russia.

Russian authorities reported that divers recovered the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and a Russian driver who died after their bus on Friday...

Russian authorities report that divers have recovered the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and a Russian driver after their mini-bus plunged through the ice into Lake Baikal in Siberia.

Korean duty-free retailers are intensifying their marketing efforts to draw in Chinese tourists, aiming to capitalize on the returning travel market.

The number of mainland Chinese visitors to Japan declined 60.7% in January compared to the same month last year, figures showed Wednesday, in the continued fallout from the countri...

China’s travel industry is expecting a sharp increase in visitors to Australia during this month’s extended Lunar New Year holiday, as millions of tourists fan out across the world for a nine-day break. Industry insiders said the lure of wine, seafood, nature and flexible small-group itineraries was driving interest in the island country. Australia is projected to attract “the most travellers from China” during the break, with bookings likely to more than double over last year’s total, according...

Hong Kong celebrated the 29th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty with festive events, drawing a large number of mainland Chinese tourists to its major attractions.

A 26-year-old Chinese tourist died in Malta after a rock arch known as 'Kissing Elephants' collapsed while he was passing underneath on a jet ski.

New Zealand has experienced a significant increase in Chinese tourists since implementing a 12-month trial in November that exempts Chinese and Pacific people from visa requirements when traveling via Australia. The initiative aims to boost tourism from these regions.

Japan's duty-free sales saw an increase in May, driven by a sustained tourism boom, despite earlier concerns about political tensions affecting Chinese tourist numbers.

An inter-ministerial body in Cambodia is making preparations for an anticipated increase in arrivals from Chinese tourists, signaling efforts to boost the tourism sector.

Japan experienced a decrease in tourist numbers in April, following a record high the previous month. The decline is attributed to fewer Chinese tourists and cancellations related to the war in Iran.

Artificial intelligence is redefining the travel experience for Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, influencing various aspects of their journeys.

Finland is anticipating a significant increase in Chinese tourists this summer, with 100 Chinese tour groups expected to visit Lappeenranta alone.

Hong Kong anticipates a 7% increase in mainland Chinese visitors for the Labour Day 'golden week' holiday, with many travelers opting for slower, highly curated experiences over major attractions.

A mainland Chinese tourist was rescued after falling into the sea near Clear Water Bay in Hong Kong, reportedly while taking photos at a lookout point.

South Korean police are investigating an alleged sexual assault of a Chinese tourist by a Japanese man in Busan.

Tourism experts in Hong Kong are blaming unreasonably low prices offered by some mainland Chinese tourist groups for leading to coerced shopping. Industry leaders are urging authorities to increase random inspections during the upcoming Labour Day "golden week."

The new Chinese-built railway connecting Vientiane to Luang Prabang in Laos is primarily used by Chinese tourists and is largely unaffordable for most Laotians, leading to local discontent despite financial benefits for the country.

A Polish bus company has been fined 55,000 Danish kroner after one of its Polish drivers illegally transported Chinese tourists in Denmark, marking the first verdict in a bus sabotage case in the country.

Japan saw a 45.2% year-on-year drop in Chinese tourists last month, with only 396,400 visitors from mainland China, despite the Lunar New Year falling in February, reflecting ongoing tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.

Pair were on their way to take up fruit-picking jobs when they were caught in floods

Departures of foreign passengers from Iceland via Keflavík Airport in February were approximately 147,000, a 0.9% decrease compared to February 2025, with a significant increase noted in Chinese tourists.

Also in today’s newsletter: Japanese retailers wrestle with Chinese tourist boycott and inside Amazon’s mass lay-offs

Staff in the Icelandic tourism industry generally find American tourists the easiest to interact with, while Chinese tourists are considered the most difficult.

Chinese travel agencies report a shift in tourist preferences for the Spring Festival, with more Chinese travelers choosing Southeast Asia and South Korea over Japan.

Chinese tourists are fueling a rebound in Thailand's tourism sector, with many opting for Thailand over Japan as a travel destination.

Divers recover bodies of seven Chinese tourists from bottom of Lake Baikal  Qatar Tribune

Suomu, a ski resort in Lapland previously abandoned by the Finnish elite, is being revitalized as a luxury destination targeting Chinese tourists amidst a booming tourism industry in the region.

A Russian driver also died when their mini-bus plunged under the ice to the bottom of the lake in Siberia.

A bus carrying Chinese tourists sank in Russia’s Lake Baikal, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals.

Japan experienced a 4.9% decrease in foreign visitors in January compared to the previous year, marking the first monthly decline since January 2022, primarily due to a reduction in tourists from China amid deteriorating Japan-China relations.

The South China Morning Post presents a selection of seven impactful stories from its recent coverage of Asia, including topics like Chinese tourism in Malaysia and praise for Lee Kuan Yew.

The managing director of SAF (Icelandic Travel Industry Association) stated that direct flights from China could increase value creation in tourism, expressing no concerns about a potential rise in Chinese tourists.

New Zealand is experiencing an increase in Chinese tourists, though numbers have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, thanks to a visa-waiver trial.

Chinese tourism to Canada is experiencing a significant surge as geopolitical relations between the two countries improve. China has lifted restrictions on group tours to Canada, and Canada is increasing flights to China.

Chinese tourist bookings to Thailand are slowing for upcoming months following a recent incident where police officers allegedly extorted Chinese nationals in Sa Kaeo, leading to a decline in confidence among Chinese travelers.

Mexico has unveiled 'Plan China,' an initiative aimed at drawing more Chinese tourists to the country, as announced during Friday's presidential press conference.

Despite ongoing disagreements regarding the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines is actively working to attract more Chinese tourists to experience the country's culture and hospitality.

Thailand is implementing a new strategy to attract 6 million Chinese visitors by promoting authentic content on platforms like RedNote and WeChat, focusing on local experiences.

Morocco has been ranked as the second most prepared African destination for Chinese tourists, according to the 2026 China Ready Index released at World Travel Market Africa. Egypt secured the top spot.

WeChat Pay is extending its QR code payment services to international markets, aiming to facilitate easier transactions for Chinese tourists and global users.

Police in Busan, South Korea, are continuing their investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a Chinese tourist by a foreign national. A Japanese man was previously reported to be involved in the incident.

Hong Kong's catering sector reported an estimated 6 to 7 percent drop in business during the Easter long weekend. This decline occurred despite an increase in mainland Chinese tourists, as the number of residents departing the city outweighed tourist arrivals.

Despite a reported decrease in the overall number of Chinese tourists visiting Japan, some still express a strong desire to travel there, indicating a nuanced trend in international tourism.

Da Nang authorities seized a drone from a Chinese tourist who flew it without a permit along the city's coast, about 6 km from the international airport, the latest in a string of incidents that has forced Vietnam's military to deploy round-the-clock patrols.

The bodies of two Chinese tourists, aged 23 and 26, were found in a submerged car in Queensland, Australia, after they went missing during severe floods in the region.

A Chinese tourist touched many people online by telling how a young Japanese girl not only helped her find a bus she needed but also initially gave her 1,000 yen (US$6). The woman traveller, from…

Ao Nang Beach in Krabi tops Chinese tourists' destination list  Nation Thailand

Thailand led the list of destinations for Chinese tourists travelling overseas during this year’s extended Lunar New Year holiday, as former favourite Japan saw arrivals plummet amid a political dispute with China over Taiwan. The Southeast Asian nation saw roughly 250,000 arrivals from China during the holiday, which ran from February 15 to 23, according to the travel marketing and technology firm China Trading Desk. This year’s Lunar New Year holiday was expected to be a key period for glob...

For his family’s first overseas trip together, Tang Junjie carefully planned a holiday to Japan during China’s longest Lunar New Year break on record. Flights were booked months in advance by the 22-year-old from Sichuan province, who had already made three solo visits to the neighbouring country that has long been a draw for Chinese tourists. But a sudden deterioration in Sino-Japanese relations changed everything. “The original plan was to transit through Seoul on our way to Japan,” Tang sa...

Thailand is seeing a significant travel boom during the Lunar New Year holiday, with Chinese tourists returning in large numbers, leading to near-capacity resorts and fully booked attractions.

A Russian driver also died when their mini-bus plunged under the ice to the bottom of the lake in Siberia.

One tourist managed to escape, and the search for the others continues

More people in China are choosing to stay away from their villages and families during Lunar New Year, according to Chinese national and businessman Xue Gang, 44. “Our parents do not mind, and even my parents are currently travelling around China. “Maybe next year I will bring them to Penang to witness the celebrations here,” he said. Xue, who was in Malaysia’s Penang state with his wife, daughter and friends, said festive performances were no longer common to enjoy back home. “If we want to...