Travel

Tencent has launched a mobile payment app for foreign visitors to China, allowing them to use overseas bank cards and digital wallets across the WeChat Pay network as the country seeks to make its increasingly cashless economy more accessible to international tourists. Tencent headquarters in Shenzhen, China The app, TenPayGo, was launched last week by Tencent's WeChat Pay team. Tencent is one of China's largest technology companies and the operator of WeChat, a widely used p

Japan has returned to the top of the World Economic Forum's global travel and tourism rankings, as the country seeks to attract visitors also to its lesser-known destinations amid a surge in foreign arrivals. Shibuya’s bustling streets light up at night in Tokyo, Japan, a major tourism hub Japan ranked first among 110 economies listed in the index released Sept. 25, followed by the United States, Spain, Australia, and France. Japan had ranked first in 2021 before dropping to

Venice is looking at expanding its tourist entry fee, applying it for a longer period of the year ​and raising the daily charge to as much as €30 (US$34), ‌a senior official in the city government has said. Gondoliers row their gondolas through the Venice Canal as the city prepares for the Redentore Festival celebrations in Venice, Italy, July 15, 2023 Budget and taxation councilor Michele Zuin said the current fee of €5 to €10 was too low to safeguard against overtourism, bu

The 139-year-old Raffles Hotel has ranked 17th in the 2026 edition of The 50 Best Hotels list, making it the only Singapore property in the top 50 based on reviews from hoteliers and experienced luxury travelers. The facade of Raffles Hotel in Singapore Opened on Dec. 1, 1887, the hotel has 115 rooms and is widely regarded as the oldest hotel still operating in Singapore. It was gazetted as a national monument in 1987 and used to host many world-famous political leaders. The

China's largest online travel agency Trip.com is offering a six-day space tourism package for 5.1 million yuan (US$760,000), sparking debate over its price and safety. Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane in flight Offered through Trip.com's luxury travel brand HHtravel, the package includes four days of training in the U.S. before a 90-minute suborbital flight operated by Virgin Galactic from New Mexico. Passengers will experience several minutes of weightlessn

Fei Zhu Lok Lok, a Malaysian-style skewer chain in Singapore founded by local influencer Phyllis Seah, is closing its doors after more than five years in operation. A Fei Zhu Lok Lok stall "After thinking about it for a long time, I’ve finally decided to close all my outlets and bring this chapter to an end," Phyllis wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday, adding that Sept. 13 would be the chain’s last day. She did not give a specific reason for the closure, but described Si

Malaysia's AirAsia has entered into its first codeshare partnership with Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines, opening up connections between Southeast Asia and Europe via Istanbul. AirAsia planes are reflected in a glass wall at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2), in Sepang, Malaysia, Jan. 21, 2026 The partnership, which started on Sept. 2, initially covers five European destinations - London, Moscow, Athens, Ankara and Zurich - and will progressi

A roast meat restaurant in Malaysia's Selangor, run by Hong Kong actor Mat Yeung, has been temporarily closed by the Petaling Jaya City Council, just 10 days after officially opening. Hong Kong actor Mat Yeung at his restaurant in Malaysia A closure notice was posted outside the Six Hub Roast House on Aug. 24, ordering it to cease operations from 1 p.m. The notice cited alleged breaches related to the restaurant's license and use of the premises, The Star newspaper reported.