Australia woos Singaporean tourists

SINGAPORE, 5 June 2017: Singaporeans travelling to Australia, next year will be eligible for a new visa that will allow stays of up to three months at a time, over a six-year validity period.

ChannelNewsAsia reported the new visa was “exclusive” to Singaporeans and would be effective from 1 January, 2018.

The announcement on the long-term visa was made 2 June by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during his three-day visit to Singapore. Read more

Marriott opens long-stay in London

LONDON, 30 March 2017: Marriott International announced, Tuesday, the expansion of its extended-stay brand, Residence Inn by Marriott, with the signing of two new properties in London.

With additional openings in Amsterdam and Aberdeen this year, Residence Inn expects to more than double its European portfolio in 2017.

The opening of Residence Inn London – London Bridge expected in the second quarter of this year and the opening of Residence Inn London – Kensington is scheduled to follow in the last quarter. Read more

10-year visa in pipeline

BANGKOK, 23 November 2016: In a first for Thailand the government says it is ready to issue 10-year visas for foreign residents 50 years or over.

Details are sketchy on conditions and no timeframe was mentioned for the launch date.

Khaosod Daily broke the news, Tuesday evening, quoting the government spokesperson who confirmed the new visa had  already gained Thai Cabinet approval at its Tuesday meeting. Read more

Cambodia pursues long-stay travellers

PHNOM PENH, 23 August 2016: Cambodian intends to make sweeping changes to its immigration regulations that will allow foreigners to stay for up to three years on a single visa in an effort to boost long-stay tourism.

Khmer Times quoted Tourism Minister Thong Khon saying the three-year multiple-entry visa is part of a government strategy to encourage foreigners to stay in the kingdom for extended periods.

It will target retirees and other long-stay travellers who have adequate means of support. The sector spends considerable revenue in a country and has been successfully pioneered by neighbouring Thailand. Read more

Vivo Bene gains stars

CHIANG MAI, 7 July 2016: The 80-room Vivo bene Village, Chiang Mai, recently gained a five-star “Long Stay Standard” accreditation from Thailand’s Department of Tourism.

Under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the department, assesses long-stay accommodation  facilities and services that extend beyond the normal range of facilities offered by a holiday resort.

According to the standard, guest areas must be disability-friendly with smooth surfaces and universal wheelchair access.  Read more

Cambodia targets second home scheme

PHNOM PENH, 15 February 2016: Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism will draft new policies that will encourage Chinese tourists to make the country their second home.

It will boost tourism revenue and length of stay of Chinese tourists.

Khmer Times quoted Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon saying the proposed ‘second-home policy’ could be a major factor to boost high-spend tourism from China. Read more

SFO votes goes Airbnb’s way

SAN FRANCISCO, 13 November 2015: Airbnb dialled down its battle rhetoric, Wednesday, promising to pay taxes and not cut into long-term housing amid criticism it unfairly competes with hotels and has exacerbated a San Francisco housing crisis.

The surging home-sharing start-up released a so-called Community Compact in which it vowed to pay its “fair share” of hotel and tourist taxes.

It also pledged to be transparent with information about home sharing activity, and to work to prevent short-term rentals from biting into the availability of long-term housing.

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Klapsons riverside haven

BANGKOK, 9 October 2015: Klapsons The River Residences Bangkok has announced the official opening of its new property on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, offering long-stay residences.

The new property features 77 spacious rooms and suites with  river views. Read more

Chiang Mai: Be healthy stay longer

CHIANG MAI, 17 September 2015: This northern destination, famous for its cultural and adventure style tourism, is gearing up to pitch for the lucrative medical tourism market.

As part to the long-term strategy to broaden the scope of its tourism appeal, the city introduced a wellness and health theme at the Lanna Expo 2015, while hosting a specialised health hub event to explore the potential of medical tourism, on the sidelines of the expo.

The Lanna Expo 2015, which ran from 4 to 13 September, featured 1,200 booths highlighting a broad mix of products from Thailand’s northern provinces, but with a strong tourism-related perspective.

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