144 hours in Shandong Province

STARTING January 1, 2019, five Chinese cities -- Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, Chengdu and Kunming -- will implement a 144-hour (6 day) transit visa exemption policy for non-Chinese citizens who are transiting through the five cities, giving them more time and opportunities to get a taste of the hospitality that Shandong province is known for and experience some of its folk customs. How does one travel in Shandong in 144 hours? The Information Office of the People's Government of Shandong Province has put together some recommendations.

A three-day trip throughout the province's coastal regions
Stop 1: Qingdao

The old city of Qingdao is a place that every traveler to China has heard about and wants to visit. Badaguan, a.k.a. the Expo of World Architecture in China, features a multiplicity of architectural styles, giving visitors the opportunity to feel the romance of the historical locale.

Stop 2: Yantai

The seaside city of Yantai has a distinctly different feel from Qingdao. Yantai Mountain is the region's landmark and a scenic spot replete with beautiful scenery and oddly-shaped rocks. The nearby city of Penglai has a long, historical association with the Taoist legend of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, imbuing visitors with a sense of being in a wonderland.

Stop 3: Weihai

Every winter in Yandunjiao, travelers can observe the thousands of whooper swans that spend the winter here. Lights from the fishing boats, seaweed cottages and country roads form a dream-like world reminiscent of what one might only see in an oil painting.

A three-day tour of the inland regions
Stop 1: A fantasy journey to Tai'erzhuang

During the visit in Tai'erzhuang, a water town nestled in a landscape that is typical of the region that lies on the north side of the Yangtze River at the point where Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces meet, you can make your entrance into the ancient city on the deck of a black-awning boat to take in the ancient Huizhou buildings and the architecture that is emblematic of the region.

Stop 2: Mount Tai

Climb to the top of Mount Tai, known as the Chief of the Five Sacred Mountains, and take in the view of all mountains in a single glance. At the top of the mountain, you can look down on the whole of the city of Tai'an.

Stop 3: Qufu, a.k.a. the Holy City of the East

If you want to understand the true meaning of the common Chinese saying, "how happy we are to meet friends from afar", a visit to Kong Family Mansion, the Temple of Confucius and Confucius Cemetery is an essential part of the journey through Shandong.

Stop 4: Jinan, the City of Springs

In Jinan, a city known for its many springs, you can enjoy the beauty and sound of bubbling water, all well stocked with many species of beautiful fish. The water that pours forth from Pearl Spring emulates the look of gorgeous pearls. The area is home to 72 famous springs, among them, Baotu Spring, Black Tiger Spring, Five Dragon Pool and Baimai Spring.


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Extending visa services for the Netherlands

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has awarded VFS Global the global tender to provide visa services in eight out of nine regions worldwide. Under this new mandate, VFS Global will significantly extend its operations on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands across the world.

VFS Global will operate for the Netherlands government in Africa, North America, Central and South America, Asia and Pacific, Eastern Europe, in the Middle East, in Western Europe; and in India.

VFS Global has worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 2006 and under the new contract will provide Schengen visa services, Caribbean visa services, long stay national visas, Dutch Travel Documents and Civic Integration Exams.


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Visa related reforms welcomed for South Africa

A number of visa-related reforms which will make it easier for tourists, business people and academia to come to South Africa have recently been announced.

“It was agreed by Cabinet that visa requirements should be simplified for China and India. On 1 October 2018, #SouthAfrica will therefore implement an agreement on simplification of visa requirements with China in order to attract larger numbers of tourists, business people and family members from this country.” stated Minister Hanekom, The Minister of Home Affairs.

He also announced that negotiations for Visa Waiver Agreements are being finalised with a number of countries. These are mainly in Africa and the Middle East and include Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tunisia, Saharawi-Arab Democratic Republic, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, State of Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Belarus, Georgia, and Cuba.

The move towards an e-visa system is at an advanced stage and it will be piloted in New Zealand by April 2019. This will significantly enhance efficiency in the issuing of visas to tourists and business people visiting South Africa. The New Zealand pilot will enable government to improve on any challenges so that it can be rolled out to other countries.

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VFS Global wins new contract

VFS Global has been awarded the Regional Contract to provide Germany visa services in the Asia Pacific region, as per this new contract, VFS Global will operate Germany Visa Application Centres in 36 new locations across 14 countries.

VFS Global is expected to start operations in the new Visa Application Centres during the first quarter of 2019. The People’s Republic of China alone will see the addition of centres in 15 cities*, further strengthening access to Germany’s visa services across the country.

In addition to these facilities, VFS Global will also offer a Mobile Biometric Service in 24 locations throughout the region. The Mobile Biometric Service enables applicants to submit their documents and biometric information from a location of their choice, e.g. from their home or office, eliminating the need to visit a Visa Application Centre.


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New tax for international travellers to New Zealand

THE tourism industry wants to work with the Government to ensure its new tax on most of New Zealand’s international visitors is used to enhance their experience of the country, the key issue is how it will be spent.

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will see around 2.3 million of the 3.8 million annual international visitors required to pay a levy of $35 each before they come to New Zealand, raising an estimated $80 million in the first year.

Australian and Pacific residents will not be required to pay the levy, which is due to be introduced in the second half of 2019.

The main collection method will be a new Electronic Travel Authority, which visitors from visa-waiver countries like the UK and USA will have to complete before travel. They will have to pay an estimated $9 for the ETA, on top of the visitor levy.



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New visa process introduced for the inaugural Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix

SAUDI Arabia will open up its borders to fans of live sport, music and culture for the first time with the launch of a new online visa process dedicated to welcoming international tourists. 

The new visa process platform known as 'Sharek' will be introduced for the inaugural Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix, the opening race to the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship being staged at a stunning UNESCO heritage site on the outskirts of Riyadh on 15th December 2018.

The ancient historical city of Diriyah, the first seat of power for Saudi's Kings, will make history again by hosting the biggest festival of racing, live music and entertainment ever witnessed in the country, including thrilling action on the track and global superstars performing on stage over three days.


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ETIAS to come into force in 2021

THE WTTC congratulates the EU on the adoption of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a pre-authorisation system which allows the EU to know who is entering the EU, from where and if they pose a risk to EU security. When ETIAS comes into operation, all visa-exempt third-country nationals who plan to travel to the Schengen area will have to apply for pre-travel authorisation. The aim of this is to ease travel to the EU and simplify border checks. 

ETIAS will be free for under 18s and over 70s and 7 euros for all other travellers. Applying for ETIAS requires no more than a travel document, credit card and access to internet. A vast majority of applicants will receive a positive reply within minutes. If additional information, documentation or an interview would be needed, different possibilities will be offered taking into account the situation of the traveller.

The new system was adopted on the 5th July at the European Parliament Plenary in Strasbourg and is expected to come into operation in 2021.



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Best passport to have?

JAPAN has taken the top spot on the Henley Passport Index, now offering its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a record total of 189 destinations.

Following closely behind #Japan are Singapore and Germany in joint second place, with 188 destinations accessible without a prior visa.

Third place is shared by six countries: one Asian (South Korea) and the rest European (Finland, France, Italy, Spain, and Sweden).  The UK and US hold joint fourth place.

While Schengen Area countries have traditionally topped the index as a result of their open access to Europe, developed Asian nations have been able to secure equally high scores in recent years thanks to their strong international trade and diplomatic relations.

So far, 2018 has seen little to no activity in the European and North American visa-policy space, although American and British foreign policy continues to dominate headlines. By contrast, dozens of new immigration and border policies have been legislated by countries in Asia and the former Soviet Union in recent months, as well as in Africa and the Caribbean.

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Visa free access to Hainan

#CHINA will offer greater visa-free access for tourists from 59 countries to #Hainan from May 1, in a move to support reform and opening up in the country's southernmost island province.  Under the new policy, group and individual tourists from 59 countries, including Russia, Britain, France, Germany, and the United States, can visit Hainan visa-free and stay there for up to 30 days on condition that they book their tour through travel agencies.

Hainan has offered a 15-day visa-free stay for group tourists from 21 countries since 2000, and added another five countries to the list in 2010.  The eased visa-free access to Hainan is part of China's effort to build the province into "a free trade port with Chinese characteristics," as stated in the guidelines on supporting Hainan to deepen reform and opening up, released by central authorities Saturday.

The island has become a famous tropical resort for overseas tourists in recent years, with the number of overseas tourists exceeding 1.1 million in 2017, up nearly 50 percent year on year.

Last year, Hainan received nearly 320,000 tourists from the 26 countries with visa-free access, 3.5 times the number recorded in 2016. Tourists from Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Russia accounted for more than 90 percent of the total.

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It's good to be an Australian

THE Tourism Council of Bhutan has announced a special #Bhutan – Australia Friendship Offer for Australian nationals visiting this stunning destination from 1 June to 31 August 2018. 

The exclusive offer from the Royal Government of Bhutan is in commemoration of this year’s marking of 15 years of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and Australia. 

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Qatar: most open country in the region

IN the past months, #Qatar has taken huge strides in implementing visa policies to facilitate visitor access to the country, resulting in Qatar now qualifying as the most open country in the region. It is now easier than ever before for visitors from nearly half of the world’s countries to discover the destination’s renowned hospitality, cultural heritage and natural treasures.

In August 2017, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior (MoI), Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Qatar Airways announced that nationals of 80 countries are now eligible for #visa-free entry, without requiring any prior applications or fee payments.

A recent addition also includes the Electronic Travel Authorisation System, available to visitors of all nationalities who hold valid residence permits or visas from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Schengen countries, or the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

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KAZA Univisa shortage in Zambia

WILD Horizons the adventure tour operator based in Victoria Falls has reported that there is presently a shortage of KAZA UNIVISA stickers in #Zambia. 

The entry points namely (Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport, Victoria Falls Border Post, Zambian side and Kazungula Border Post, Zambian side) have run out of KAZA UNIVISA stickers.

The standard Zambian single and double entry visas will be available at these Ports of Entry until this matter has been resolved.

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Improved Visa Facilities boost travel to Malaysia from China and India

A review of Malaysia’s tourism performance in 2016 and the first quarter of 2017 indicate that tourist arrivals from the China market is on the rise again after the slowdown in 2015.  Between March 2016 and April 2017, there was a total of 284,606 e-visa applications and 323,173 eNTRI applications from China nationals.

The number of visas approved for Indian tourists has also shot up by 91.1% following the Prime Minister’s visit to India in April.

With information technology playing a critical role in tourism these days, the online application system for travel arrangements to #Malaysia will be a game changer and accelerate the growth of Malaysia’s tourism industry.

This improved facility is expected to help attract larger numbers of tourists from China and India to Malaysia who are looking for a holiday experience that offers diversity at an affordable price. Furthermore, the cordial relations and strong historical ties Malaysia has with China and India will make travelers from these two countries feel right at home in Malaysia.

Online visa applications for all tourists planning to visit Malaysia are processed by the Immigration Department of Malaysia and can be made at: www.windowmalaysia.my

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Travel Concerns in Post-Brexit Europe

AN exclusive poll by global flight and #travel deals website, Cheapflights.co.uk, ahead of tomorrow’s (29 March) triggering of Article 50, reveals that nearly 80 per cent of Brits are concerned about holidaying in a post-#Brexit #Europe. 

Fears over rocketing prices, increased bureaucracy and a less than friendly reception top the list of worries, with many UK travellers planning to take their future holidays in the US, Caribbean, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand or on home soil instead.

Cheapflights’ poll, conducted among 2,000 Brits, shows that nearly half (49 per cent) cited the potential impact on the strength of the Pound and less value in their holiday wallets as their primary worry, followed by concerns around losing guaranteed local health care via the European Health Insurance Card (36 per cent); rumours of visas to visit EU destinations (35 per cent); and higher airfares (33 per cent). Nearly a third (31 per cent) highlighted a concern that EU residents might be less welcoming to British tourists, and others (20 per cent) noted fears around the return of the punitive mobile-phone charges phased out in recent years.

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South Africa announces changes in visa requirements for New Zealand passport holders

NEW ZEALANDERS now require a visa in order to travel to South Africa and South African Tourism wishes to reassure all tourists that South Africa remains a welcoming destination, open to all tourists from across the world wishing to experience our unique and diverse tourism offering.

The revised visa requirements for New Zealand passport holders will only come into effect from 16 January 2017. 

If a traveller from New Zealand travels to #SouthAfrica before the 16th January 2017 and returns after that, that traveller does not need a #visa, therefore departing the Republic of South Africa after the 16th January 2017 will not pose a problem as there will be no requirement of a visa when departing.

visit www.dha.gov.za for more details.

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Kaza Uni-Visa reinstated

The Governments of the Republics of #Zambia and #Zimbabwe are pleased to announce the re-launch of the Kavango Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (Kaza) Uni-Visa on 21st December 2016, with Citizens from 40 countries being eligible. The visa is only available for holiday/tourism purposes.

The Uni-Visa is only available at the following ports of entry:

• Harry Mwaanga Airport, Zambia
• Victoria Falls Land Border, Zambia
• Kazungula Land Border, Botswana border
• Kenneth Kaunda Airport, Lusaka 
• Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe
• Harare Airport, Zimbabwe

The visa will be valid for 30 days and act as a multiple entry visa as long as you remain in Zimbabwe and Zambia but you can cross between the two as often as you wish in the 30 day period. It also covers those who visit Botswana for day trips through the Kazangula Borders, however, it will not be valid if staying in Botswana overnight. In this case, you would need to purchase a new Visa

For further details: www.kazavisa.info

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Picture Credit: MarcCooper_1950 flickr.com/photos/125843178@N06/28431392726 Sundown Over The Falls  via photopin

e-Tourist Visa arrivals in India for October 2016 up 86%

A total of 1,05,268 foreign tourists arrived in #India in October 2016 on an e-Tourist Visa compared to just 56,477 during the month of October 2015 registering a growth of 86.4%. 

The UK (22.9%) continues to occupy top slot followed by USA (12.1%) and France (6.6%) amongst countries using the e-tourist visa facility During October 2016.

The facility of e-Tourist Visa has been made available by the Government of India to the citizens of 150 countries, arriving at 16 International Airports in India.

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Access Indonesia

THE World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) expressed its full support for the decision of the Government of Indonesia to grant free visa to citizens from 169 countries. The measure looks for attracting international tourism to the country by simplifying travel procedures and follows research by UNWTO and WTTC that shows that visa facilitation in the ASEAN economies could create between 333,000 to 654,000 new jobs in a period of three years.

The visa-free policy is valid for a maximum stay of 30 days, has no restriction on the number of visits per year, and is non-extendable nor convertible to any other stay permit. Nationals of visa-free countries can enter Indonesia in any of the 124 immigration check points that the country possesses.

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Getting into the US

US Global Entry Enrolment Centre to open in London – FOLLOWING the announcement in December last year that UK citizens are eligible to apply for Global Entry, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will open a Global Entry enrolment centre at the US. Embassy in London for 60 days beginning September 26.

The centre will be open Monday through Wednesday from 8am to 4.30pm on an appointment-only basis.

Global Entry streamlines the screening process at airports for trusted travellers, bypassing the traditional CBP inspection line and using an automated kiosk to expedite admission into the US. More than 8,800 UK passport holders are already enrolled in the programme.

UK citizens should start their application on GOV.UK www.gov.uk/apply-faster-entry-usa. Conditionally-approved applicants can begin scheduling interviews with a CBP Officer at the London location now through the Global Online Enrolment System (GOES) website. There is a £42 processing fee on the UK side and a $100 fee on the US side.

Once fully-enrolled in the programme, Global Entry membership is valid for five years and membership includes TSA* Pre-Check when travelling with participating airlines.

*Transportation Security Administration 

www.VisitTheUSA.com/www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

Dublin Airport unveils 51st & Green for US-bound travellers – DUBLIN AIRPORT now offers travellers to the US pre-clearance ease and enhanced comfort with the opening of a passenger lounge after US Pre-clearance in Terminal 2.

The lounge – named 51st & Green to reflect Irish-American connections – is available to passengers travelling with Aer Lingus, Delta Airlines, United, and American Airlines holding business class tickets and airline club cards. The lounge has seating for 180 people, a concierge service, shower rooms, and an entertainment area with sports channels.

A record one million passengers used Dublin Airport's US Preclearance facility in 2015.

www.VisitTheUSA.com
www.dublinairport.com

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Concern over Schengen suspension for US and Canadian visitors

CONCERNS have been raised over the possible suspension of visa waivers for US and Canadian travellers to European countries within the #Schengen area.  

Leisure travel, including visiting friends and relatives, could suffer a fall of at least 30% if the European Parliament agrees to the clampdown, the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) has warned.

The situation has arisen after the US required visas to be obtained by people from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Poland, and Romania.

Although only Poland is one of the 26 Schengen zone countries – which allow unrestricted movements – Bulgaria and Romania have met requirements for joining while Croatia and Cyprus are seeking to become members.

As a result the European Commission is ‘obliged’ to pursue a reciprocal regime on US citizens entering Europe, according to ETOA.

The commission yesterday asked the EU’s Council of Ministers and the European Parliament to consider suspending the Schengen visa waivers for visitors from the US, as well as Canada.

ETOA chairman, Mario Bodini, said: ‘There should be reciprocity, but not a €15 billion and 600,000 jobs problem. And reciprocity is a principle widely ignored in visa circles; Europeans enjoy far more freedom to travel around the world than the world enjoys coming to Europe. Mercifully, both the council and the European Parliament have to take into consideration the economic impact and the practicalities of any move. And the practicalities are overwhelming. Even if the numbers were to drop, it would leave the main Schengen entry countries with a 10 million visa processing task. That alone should sink this idea.’

The association’s chief executive, Tom Jenkins, adds: ‘The US and Canada are two of our most important and longstanding origin markets. At a time of difficulty for the tourism industry in Europe, this does not project the necessary welcome.’

Go Holiday editor David Kernek comments: Britain is not in the EU’s failed Schengen area, so an absurd decision by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers to make life difficult for North American travellers would not affect American and Canadians wishing to visit the UK.

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Picture Credit: Uzbekistan Visa</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin