Geographical divides India and South Africa, but commerce unites them.

The South African Tourism Board is gearing up to welcome a significant influx of Indian tourists this year, aiming to surpass pre-COVID levels. With a focus on tapping into the potential of tier II cities in India, the board anticipates crossing the 100,000 mark for Indian visitors. Neliswa Nkani, Head of South African Tourism Hub for the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, highlighted the importance of tier II cities in driving growth, emphasizing the need to generate demand and offer compelling experiences in these regions. To bolster its efforts, South African Tourism has allocated a substantial budget for various promotional activities, including outdoor advertising, digital media campaigns, trade engagements, roadshows, and corporate partnerships. The conclusion of the 20th Annual India Roadshow in Mumbai marked a strategic milestone in the board’s engagement with the Indian market, following events in Jaipur, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru. Despite India being the sixth-largest source market for South Africa in terms of tourist arrivals, challenges such as lack of direct flights and visa requirements remain. Nevertheless, Nkani expressed optimism about India’s potential, citing Indian tourists’ strong spending patterns and diverse preferences for experiences. In targeting different segments, South Africa aims to attract corporate travelers for meetings and events, High Networth Individuals (HNIs) from tier II cities, millennials, women travelers, and sports enthusiasts. India-South Africa Flag Additionally, efforts are underway to encourage longer stays and promote lesser-explored regions of South Africa to Indian tourists. As South Africa positions itself as an enticing destination for Indian travelers, the tourism board is optimistic about leveraging the growing interest and expanding its presence in key markets across India.SOURCE: India-South Africa: Divided by Geography, United By Tourism BY: eTurboNews | eTN

Vietnam intends to expand its immigration provision to 13 additional nations.

Vietnam‘s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued directives to the Ministry of Public Security to explore the expansion of visa exemptions for specific countries, aligning with bilateral cooperation efforts. This announcement, made following the Lunar New Year break, coincides with Vietnam’s ambition to achieve 18 million foreign arrivals this year, a target mirroring pre-pandemic figures. In addition to this, the Prime Minister has tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with scrutinizing unilateral visa exemption policies for citizens from 13 countries. Both the ministries of foreign affairs and public security have been urged to broaden the roster of countries whose citizens are unilaterally exempt from visas. Presently, this list includes Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus. Vietnam currently extends visa waivers to travelers from 25 countries, trailing behind its regional counterparts such as Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, which offer significantly more visa exemptions. As many Asian nations adopt visa-free policies to enhance their appeal to foreign tourists, Vietnam’s immigration policy currently grants three-month tourist visas to citizens of all countries and territories. Moreover, the government has tripled the length of stays to 45 days for citizens from the aforementioned 13 countries enjoying unilateral visa exemptions.SOURCE: Vietnam Plans to Extend Visa Exemption to 13 More Countries BY: eTurboNews | eTN

In Latvia, do not operate a vehicle with Russian passport plates!

The government’s deadline for Russian license plate owners in Latvia to either register their vehicles locally or remove them from the country ended yesterday. With the implementation of the new law, the authorities now have the power to seize these vehicles and contribute them to Ukraine’s war efforts. Today, Latvia’s Interior Ministry announced in a statement posted on X (previously known as Twitter) that any vehicle registered in Russia discovered in use on Latvian roads can be seized and transferred without cost to aid Ukraine in fighting Russian aggressors. Under the new regulations, drivers of the cars with Russian license plates will face both vehicle confiscation and a monetary penalty ranging from €750 ($808) to €2,000 ($2,150). However, new law grants permission for continuous transit in Latvia for 24 hours and provides an exemption for vehicles utilized or possessed by diplomatic personnel. Owners of Russian cars have faced difficulties in obtaining Latvian license plates, Russian media complained. To complete the registration process, they have been obliged to pay a customs duty equivalent to 10% of the vehicle’s market value, along with a 21% value added tax. Moreover, only vehicles purchased prior to October 2022 and possessing an EU-approved operating certificate are eligible for registration in Latvia. According to recent reports, majority of individuals who owned Russian cars chose to sell them internationally, without disclosing specific numbers. The new law and planned seizure of Russian cars was condamned by the Russian embassy in Riga as an instance of “state robbery.”SOURCE: Do Not Drive Cars With Russian License Plates in Latvia! BY: eTurboNews | eTN

Caring and passion are evoked by vacation.

by JULIE GILBERT President/CEO, Destination Door County February is often associated with love and romance primarily because of Valentine’s Day. And travel offers us new perspectives on life and love by exposing us to the beauty and diversity of awe-inspiring landscapes and vibrant cultures. Experiencing these wonders fosters a sense of gratitude a

9 go necessities for frequent travelers in 2024

Embark on your next adventure fully equipped with these 9 essential travel must-haves. From top-tier credit cards to innovative luggage solutions, discover the tools that will elevate your journey to new heights.

Chinese visitors who are stranded return household from Phu Quoc.

After being stranded on Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island due to a tour company’s default, 292 Taiwanese tourists have finally returned home. The tourists, who had booked a four-day tour through We Love Tour company in Taipei, were left without accommodations or transportation upon arrival on Feb. 10. Despite the Taiwanese partner’s failure to make the full payment by Jan. 31 as agreed, the tourists were sent to Phu Quoc. Fortunately, local travel agency Winner Vietnam stepped in to assist, providing buses, guides, and lodging. Efforts to resolve the situation included collaboration between Vietnamese tourism authorities and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in HCMC. The airline involved, Bamboo Airways, transported the tourists back to Taiwan despite not receiving payment from the tour company. Criticism mounted on social media, with many condemning We Love Tour for abandonment and calling for strict actions against the company. Authorities have vowed to penalize any violations by Vietnamese companies and urged the Taiwanese company to make full payment by Feb. 26. The incident, occurring during the Lunar New Year, garnered international attention, highlighting the importance of responsible tourism management and ensuring the welfare of travelers.SOURCE: Stranded Taiwanese Tourists Return Home From Phu Quoc BY: eTurboNews | eTN

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Go chaos as a storm hits the US northeast

Millions of people in the northeastern United States were engulfed by snow on Tuesday as a powerful winter storm battered the region causing flight cancellations and closing schools.

Malaysian commerce is convinced that it will bring in 27.3 million foreign visitors.

Tourism Malaysia expresses confidence in meeting its ambitious goal of 27.3 million foreign tourist arrivals for the year, buoyed by various favorable conditions. The government’s charter flight matching grant incentive, coupled with the visa liberalization program and intensified international tourism promotion efforts, stand as pillars supporting this optimistic outlook. Ammar Abd Ghapar, the director-general of Tourism Malaysia, highlighted that the nation welcomed over 20 million foreign tourists last year, substantially exceeding the initial target of 19.1 million. He emphasized the importance of encouraging more charter flights to Malaysia, recognizing the necessity for expanded routes and increased flight frequencies to reach the desired tourist influx. Speaking to reporters upon the arrival of passengers on Malaysia Airlines’ inaugural flight from Shenyang Taoxian International Airport, Shenyang, Liaoning, China, Ammar underscored the significance of the charter flight matching grant in augmenting flight frequency to Malaysia. The presence of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing during the event further underscored the government’s commitment to the tourism sector’s growth. Ammar also noted the substantial impact of the visa liberalization plan for Chinese travelers, effective December 1, 2023, which has stimulated a surge in inquiries and bookings from China to Malaysia. Citing Trip.com’s report, he revealed a notable 53.9% increase in inbound travel to Malaysia from China during the Chinese New Year compared to the previous year. In line with these developments, Tourism Malaysia has set its sights on attracting approximately 200,000 tourist arrivals from China monthly. With these supportive measures and encouraging trends, Tourism Malaysia remains optimistic about achieving its tourism targets and further solidifying the nation’s position as a premier tourist destination in the region.SOURCE: Tourism Malaysia Confident in Achieving 27.3 Million Foreign Tourist BY: eTurboNews | eTN

European Citizenship of Birthright to Close for Mayotte

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has announced that the government of France will make changes to the country’s constitution in order to end the policy of birthright citizenship in overseas Mayotte department. Mayotte is one of the overseas departments of France as well as one of the 18 regions of France, with the same status as the departments of Metropolitan France. Mayotte consists of two islands in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique, and while it is a department and region of France, traditional Mayotte culture is most closely related to that of the neighboring Comoros islands. In 1973, the Comoros Islands gained independence from France, but Mayotte decided to remain under French control, making it distinct from the rest of the archipelago. While visiting Mamoudzou on Grande-Terre, Minister Darmanin announced that a significant decision in regards to Mayotte birthright French citizenship would be made. According to him, individuals will no longer have the option to acquire French nationality unless they are born to at least one parent who holds French citizenship. He said that such measure would reduce the attractiveness of Mayotte to illegal immigrants, trying to enter France and settle in the country. Darmanin made the announcement following a series of recent protests in Mayotte against soaring crime, poverty, and immigration, which residents have deemed as unmanageable. The protesters have additionally called for the right of travel to mainland France for individuals with valid Mayotte residence permits, a practice that is presently forbidden. According to Darmanin, the residence permit system will be reformed in conjunction with birthright citizenship. The proposal has run into opposition in the French parliament, however. Minister Darmanin said that the reform of the residence permit system will also be carried out alongside birthright citizenship changes. Despite facing opposition in the French parliament, the proposal moves forward. Mayotte encompasses approximately 145 square miles (375 square kilometers) and is estimated to have a population of around 320,000, though some reports suggest that some French officials consider this figure to be a significant underestimation. According to 2018 data provided by France’s National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies, 84% of the residents on the island fall below the French poverty line of €959 ($1,033) per month per household. INSEE also reported that approximately one-third of them lack employment opportunities and access to running water, while around 40% reside in makeshift dwellings constructed from corrugated metal.SOURCE: Birthright French Citizenship to End for Mayotte BY: eTurboNews | eTN