News in Asia

Motorsport fans alert! 
The Thai MotoGP Championship race returns to the Buriram International Circuit in Thailand between March 20–22 for the third time since 2018. 

Taiwan has reported a record growth of tourist arrivals in 2019: a total of 11.84 million travellers visited the country, some 7 percent more than during the previous year.

According to the latest report of the Indian National Crime Records Bureau, Kolkata is the safest city in the country. Hyderabad, the capital Telangana state, Pune and Mumbai, both in Maharashtra state, turned out to be the three next very safe cities of India.

A state-of-the-art smart-baggage system powered by Artificial Intelligence or AI will be tested in nine Indian airports, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced. 

One of the most spectacular festivals of India, Reth 2020, will kick off in Jaisalmer in the end of January.

The valley of Kashmir, India, which remains one of the most remote parts of the country due to poor connectivity, is expected to get a railway bridge that will connect the region to the country's extensive railway network by December 2021.

Chiang Mai is preparing to host its first and largest International Airshow in the Thai North: Chiang Mai Air Show 2020 is scheduled to take place between 21–23 February this year.

Nepal is going to organize the highest ever international fashion show with a direct view of the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest. The show will be set at an altitude of 5,644 metres and is scheduled for January 25, 2020.

According to the report of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the number of luxury hotels in the country is on the rise. Last year alone 50 five-star hotels and 68 four-star hotels were build across Vietnam.

The Vietnam National Tourism Administration (VNAT) and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA) laucnhed the 2020 edition of Explore Vietnam photo contest aimed at promoting tourism in Vietnam domestically and among overseas travellers.

Cebu, the Philippines, is preparing for the most important and popular festival of the year, the annual cultural and religious Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival. Celebrated on the third Sunday of January, this year the festivities fall on January, 19. 

Baguio, a mountain resort town and a popular tourist spot located on the Philippines’ Luzon island, may be the next destination for rehabilitation on the initiative of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Thailand is getting ready to celebrate the Chinese New Year 2020. With up to 14 percent of the population of Thailand being of Thai-Chinese origin, no wonder that the Chinese New Year is widely celebrated across the whole country. Here are some of the best places to head for the best festival.

China Airlines, the national carrier of Taiwan, is going to launch direct flights between Taipei and Chiang Mai effective from 23 June, 2020.

According to the Japanese railway, a new bullet train model will start serving the Tokaido Shinkansen line on July 1, just in time for Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The most iconic symbol of spring in Japan, its cult cherry blossoms draw hordes of tourists to the country. The Japanese weather forecasting company Nihon Kisho has just released its initial cherry blossom forecast for 2020 – time your visit accordingly to get most of the amazing sakura season.

Macau has reported the record number of foreign tourist arrivals in 2019: last year over 39 million tourists visited the city. It is 10 percent more than during the previous year.

While there have been several announcements of the expected launches of new airlines in 2020 recently, in 2019 as many as 23 airlines worldwide ceased their operations due to various reasons, financial issues and lack of demand being the major factors. 

Vientiane and Luang Prabang in Laos get more direct flights that link them with regional destinations.

Phieng district in Xayaboury province, Laos is getting ready for the annual Kong Khao Yai festival, or Rice festival. The festival starts today and will last till January, 12. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, January, 9.