Home»ASIA» Now in Beijing, Shanghai, and Beyond, Shocking China Travel Restrictions Could Impact Your Next Trip, What Tourists Must Know Right Now
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
On heritage lined seafront Essex for miles of blue-flag coastline in all directions town since now threatened closure for contravening some govts list in a whose who of UKs feebly succoring glitter 1895 then town s even most photo bandstand waits for: The Iconic: Bandstand 2019 Southend-on-sea. Architectural 1935 Georgina street-Modus Even ‘wedding cake’ Listed II Town s last Bandstand street-1 of under 160 bandstands street this country where still use public performers.
Historical Charm Meets Modern Crisis
Eastbourne Bandstand The semi-circular Bandstand with its famous blue dome, was opened in 1935 and is one of the most instantly recognisable features of Eastbourne seafront. Brixton Not that you need an excuse to go to Brixton, but this one has been called out as one of the UK’s best by Tripadvisor– one for fans of 1,600 capacity gigs and cultural epicentres. What’s emerged is a hopping spot for those traspyhty visitors in search of live entertainment by the water.
But the beachside attraction is now under threat, a CED report into the construction of the structure, written for Eastbourne Borough Council, has said. The alarm of the report is rather less equivocal: “Structures are now also believed to be in an advanced state of decay and critically destabilised.”
Demolition Threat leaves Eastbourne holiday makers in a fury
The CED report paints a grim picture: putting a band-aid over it to last through one, perhaps two more safe seasons, or cased-managed divestment, or worse – demolition. The paragraph is a point as well as a document. “What it eventually all comes down to is breakage and throwaway and rot and structural failure.”
The cynical-proposed shift of its businesses is in fact about twisting the arms of the tea and tat shops and hoteliers that rely on the tourism Eastbourne to stay afloat; the heritage-huffers and puffers who seem to think the pier is there’s, when the pier is there’s town’s waterfront and they wouldn’t want anything shut down in there town even if they didn’t use it (they don’t, of course, they use the Hamptons), and those for whom this is there reliable old: because, unlike a carpark on the promenade, the pier actually is part of there routine (because, unlike a car park on the promenade, the pier’s a perma- fixture of there Sunday morning strolls.
Transfer Update!! Council Respond With Brave Overhual Plans
The operator of the disputed project, the Eastbourne Borough Council, in turn, has worked speedily to reassure visitors. With no option to tear it down, Cllrs say they want to transform the “iconic” draw back from its ruins with a £1.1m overhaul in the hope of reinvigorating the area.
In an extraordinary concerted effort plan by the authorities, the council wants every roof and canopy on south-facing shelters ripped out to reveal uncharted territory for the first time. “All of which adds up to the confidence, for everyone who’s ever been to the Bandstand, that they can keep going to summer music nights like this, for generations to come.
Heritage Tourism, and Parochial Pride, Is at Stake
Local shops depend on heritage tourism; with that support, the very structure of the bandstand becomes a load-bearing question. The council emphasizes that the main building and stage where acts are performed are not in danger, but that attention should be devoted to areas like the lower colonnade and upper colonnades. And despite the fact that local authorities have spent almost a £1m on the monument already, between that and 2019, it appears they are throwing everything at this monument to make sure it is passed down with them to the next generation.
It All Adds Up to Decades-Worth of Coastal Weathering.
The report compiles nearly a century of weather events at the coast, including damage from winter storms dating back to 1982. It had rotted away over the years and was just as overdue a clean-up.
(To rub salt into civic pride, Eastbourne Borough Council had written to central government earlier asking for funding to turn it into a heritageventure, and suffered a humiliating knockback.) Efforts are underway to convince the government to pony up the cash to save this cherished feature of the coast.
Tourism Revival and Transport Boost
Great news for day-trippers – there is now a direct train service between Eastbourne and London. “The axing of this lifeline transport service in 2020 and its re-instatement would (assuming approval is granted) be a ‘giant step’ towards sustainability in the continued interest of Eastbourne as an accessible weekend break for those residing out in the Capital and a show of recovery confidence in local business and tourism purveyors all round.
By this Lawrence Clarke memorial, of 1991; Eastbourne’s most famous landmark in it’s most critical year yet.
‘It’s a bit in limbo at present, with Eastbourne coming up to the busy summer season.’ A tourist instinctively bows her head, a historian shakes his, and local officials juggle some hard choices. But given the plans for a lively reflurry of maldevelopment itching to happen behind it despite its very Morecambe Bay-esqe apocalyptic structural warnings, it could have parish wide ramifications for the future of Eastbourne- one of the UK’s more polished seaside town dung heaps.
And for those who visit and many who live in the town, they can only hope that this old beach bandstand, a joyous, faded time-warped artefact of daft seaside days of yore, keeps trying to hit that note with generations of holidaymakers to come.
Eastbourne east sussex bandstand a crossroads centenary share_default Population of: 99,412: Coordinates: Latitude: 50.76 Longitude: 0.22: Post town: EASTBOURNE: S1 LocationEastbourne s population of 84,000 is well served with eduation facilities from nurseries to colleges of higher education.
A neo-Grec confection joins the riot in Leslie Rosevere’s makeover of the Eastbourne seafront for 1935 from a pav for tea-dunking to a pie of cream and coloured faience – the seafront was stretched to fit the former population of over 3,500 (though health and safety at one point in the 20th century limited this to 1,600). When it opened its mile of golden fins (completely covering the minerals beneath) in a semicircle whose circumference alone exceeded that of sumptuous Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach, 10,000 people streamed through the 28July 1935 to date sponsons (the only in Britain) and, excepting a time in the 60s when it could do little right (so it is today, with the various military bands and big band nights and Proms tribute shows) whether it was rock and roll, Branson tribute, the big top is thriven as the very blood of coast entertainment.
And So: Here Is the Long-Promised Winter 2025 Renovation Plan
With more than 100 concerts held in a record year at the site in 2024/25, work has already started on the essential restoration (£1.1m from council funds through the council-funded winter 2025 project focusing purely on colonnades and shelter roofs and on £750K worth of repair work to the stages, which has already been completed) meaning the council’s total repair and restoration commitment to the building is now close to £1.85M since 2019.
The upper balconies will shut, at least for the time being, though as many as 530 fans will populate the central arena — the same number as in 2024— and the promenade will remain accessible throughout the season. Safety hoardings would “ensure fans are not at risk” and works would start “immediately” after the curtain falls on the summer blockbusting shows, the spokesperson continued.
Missive From the Future Raises Stakes
Despite some attentions the CED structural engineers warned in a recent report that the bandstand was falling apart and on the verge of collapse at any time from rust or falling debris. The report sounded a somber note: Without a dramatic intervention, the site was facing “inescapable structural failure” that might lead to a managed decline of, or even the demolition of, large portions of Plymouth.
Council Pushback and Community Strength
It says the Wealden District Council “would be unable to support” the demolition of the main building and the stage, and that the council had “committed significant capital expenditure to this project” and “has a vision” to keep it long term. “They’re not going to let people down yet and I’d also like to reassure people that our commitment to the Bandstand is as strong as it ever has been,” added Cllr Jenny Williams. “Either way… it’s still possible to have the site reopened in spring of 2026 with a partial, elongated or truncated colonnade, or with the demolition of the colonnades.
the bandstand trust does its bit, too— in the form of public appeals for private donations and support through a membership scheme also— to ensure that concerts, and other heritage activities, continue.
Havas Apple Car Upset: Target heritage payment clawed back There is no target heritage payment.
Funding woes have persisted. Unsuccessful historyThe Round-Up reformed to ride again in January 2023 Est- don’t you just love the fact that the three old birds of Democracy had just paid to have the walls re-built on the The Round-Up The fortress and bandstand …. then ‘central government’ offered the Authority £26.5 million for them and the place was refused, why? Oh, I forgot, they’d just been paid not too long before that anyway. Rather than backing away, councillors are gearing up to fight for funding to bring it back to life even more.
Museum closed, and so were the tourists
Meanwhile, cuts in local authority funding caused the Eastbourne Heritage Centre to close in April 00. The loss underlines the financial pressures on the town’s cultural infrastructure, despite plans to move that collection elsewhere.
Why Travellers Should Care
But for anyone who has dodged to the beach for their traditional holiday, the Bandstand is not just a concert enabler but, rather, a vibrant, living part of that seaside life many of us cherish. Its military bands, tribute nights and fireworks will carry on until October, ploughing on regardless as it tries to draw in the tourists while its doors are still open for the refurb before them.
From the summer of 2026, there will be exciting new sights, with open-air colonnades and new infrastructure in place, offering an authentic British waterfront experience.
Final Take: There Goes Heritage Down The Coastal Zone
100 year old Bandstand – Eastbourne, UK 100 year Old Bandstand in the heart of a UK seaside town. In the meantime, as we again take part in a decades-long piece of preservation, it is still a place we are worth visiting — at summer concerts in 2025 toward a grand reopen in 2026. For everybody who misses the past or likes their musically live by the coast then yesteryears or yesterday’s is very much alive and kicking in the ever climbing cultural hotspot – and whether it’s the rotting decadence of local Eastbourne music royalty or a lesson in how to be a superstar that can stand the test of time – come visit future past– it’s worth it.
Home»TOURISM NEWS» Thailand Aims to Revive Tourism as Chinese Visitor Numbers Plummet
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Author: TTW News Desk
Tourism in Thailand, an important pillar of its economy, is having a tough year in 2025. International tourist arrivals have fallen 5%, led predominantly by a fall in visitors from China and competition from alternative destinations in Asia.
Between January 1 and July 5, 2025, Thailand received 16.8 million international visitors, lower than 17.7 million during the same period last year. The largest decrease was from neighboring nations, which dropped by 12.2%, with East Asia also experiencing a steep 24.8% decline. The main reason being the smaller number of Chinese tourists, which dipped by 34.2% from pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
Shifting Tourist Demographics
While long-haul travelers from markets like India, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and the U.S. have increased, their numbers remain relatively small, accounting for only 28% of total arrivals. These tourists typically spend more, but their growth cannot fully compensate for the loss of Chinese visitors.
Before the pandemic, China was Thailand’s largest tourism market, supplying 28% of all international arrivals—about 11.1 million visitors in 2019. However, Chinese tourists now make up just 13.6% of total arrivals. Estimates suggest that 2025 will mark the first time in over a decade (excluding COVID-19 years) that Chinese tourist numbers fall below 5 million.
Government Measures to Revive Tourism
Tourism contributes 20% of Thailand’s GDP, making its recovery crucial. The Thai government has introduced several initiatives to counter the downturn:
1. Delaying the Tourist Fee
Originally set for 2025, the government postponed the “Kha Yeap Pan Din” fee (a 300 THB charge for air arrivals and 150 THB for land/sea entries) to mid-2026. The funds will enhance tourist facilities and provide insurance coverage for foreign visitors.
2. Subsidies for Charter Flights
To attract more visitors, authorities are offering 350,000 THB per charter flight. New partnerships with travel agencies in Chongqing, Lanzhou, and Hangzhou aim to bring an additional 150,000 Chinese tourists to Thailand.
3. Digital Entry System
Earlier in 2025, Thailand launched a digital entry system, replacing paper-based immigration checks with a faster, online registration process to improve the traveler experience.
Factors Behind the Decline in Chinese Tourists
Several key factors contribute to the drop in Chinese visitors:
1. Economic Slowdown in China
China’s economic challenges, including a sluggish property market and weaker consumer spending, have led to reduced outbound tourism. Middle-class travelers, who once fueled Thailand’s tourism boom, are now more cautious with discretionary spending.
2. Rising Competition from Other Destinations
Countries like Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea have aggressively marketed themselves to Chinese tourists, offering easier visa policies and new attractions. Japan’s weakened yen, for example, has made it a more affordable option compared to Thailand.
3. Changing Travel Preferences
Post-pandemic, Chinese tourists are favoring shorter trips and domestic travel over long international vacations. The popularity of “revenge travel” within China has also diverted potential visitors away from overseas destinations.
4. Safety Concerns and Negative Perceptions
Reports of scams targeting tourists and safety incidents in Thailand have circulated on Chinese social media, damaging the country’s reputation as a secure destination. The Thai government is working to address these concerns through tighter regulations and public awareness campaigns.
Private Sector Initiatives in Thailand
Hotels, airlines, and tour operators are also adapting to the changing market:
Discounts and Bundled Packages – Many resorts are offering all-inclusive deals to attract budget-conscious travelers.
Luxury and Wellness Tourism – High-end hotels are focusing on medical tourism and wellness retreats, particularly targeting European and Middle Eastern visitors.
Sustainable Tourism – Eco-friendly resorts and community-based tourism projects are gaining traction among environmentally conscious travelers.
Future Outlook for Thai Tourism
Experts are of the view that these stimulus steps will begin yielding fruit by the end of 2025. Assuming no serious disruptions, Chinese tourist arrivals may return to 70-80% of pre-pandemic levels towards the end of 2026.
Thailand, despite present difficulties, is a leading travel destination, and the efforts of the government seek to reinstate it as a player in the international tourism arena. The emphasis currently is on diversifying sources of visitors and improving traveler convenience in a bid to develop long-term growth.
Home»ASIA» Thailand’s Tourism Strategy Must Evolve to Cater to The Growing Demand for Luxury Travel in Asia Pacific
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Author: TTW News Desk
To cater to the region’s influx of high-net-worth travelers on the hunt for premium experiences, Thailand’s tourism playbook needs a makeover. Market data reveals a new wave of middle class consumers in key markets, such as China and India, who now crave high-end resorts, exclusive experiences and luxury services. Despite regulatory constraints, the Thai government is making efforts to stay competitive by allowing integrated resorts and putting a premium on infrastructure and public-private partnerships that would attract these big-spending tourists. This change is essential for the nation to take full advantage of the wealth in Asia Pacific and guarantee long-term prosperity amid an ever more fierce tourism industry.
The tourism industry in Thailand has for many years been among the largest in Southeast Asia, and this amount continues to expand every year. With visitor numbers exceeding that threshold (CNN puts it at 40 million), a marketplace is emerging for five-star luxury tourism — that sector poised to deliver the future growth, now that the country has arguably peaked as a traditional tourist destination. However, several leading experts have urged the country to aggressively target high-end travelers from the Asia-Pacific region — a fast-growing group of potential tourists who could be key to helping restore Thailand’s tourism industry. This transition requires a focused strategy such as luxury marketing, perception branding through public-private partnerships, and investment in global standard infrastructure.
Thailand’s Tourism Landscape and Challenges
In recent years, Thailand’s tourism industry has enjoyed tremendous success, attracting millions of international visitors annually. However, after surpassing the 40-million mark, Thailand now faces new challenges in maintaining its competitive edge in the global tourism market. To remain relevant in an increasingly competitive landscape, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, Thailand must shift its focus towards luxury tourism.
This shift is necessary not only to keep up with the growing affluence of travelers in the region but also to maintain the country’s competitive position compared to neighboring destinations such as Singapore, Japan, and emerging destinations in the Middle East. Experts argue that Thailand’s tourism sector must focus on high-end travelers, particularly those from countries like China and India, whose growing middle class is fueling demand for premium travel experiences.
Affluent Travelers and the Rising Middle Class in Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region, which encompasses some of the world’s most dynamic economies, is witnessing an influx of affluent travelers who are increasingly looking for luxury experiences. According to the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), tourism in Asia-Pacific generated over 648 million regional trips last year, with projections indicating that the number of trips will reach nearly 700 million this year and 800 million by 2027. Thailand, with its rich cultural heritage, vibrant cities, and tropical landscapes, is well-positioned to capture a share of this growing market.
China stands out as a crucial market driving the demand for luxury tourism. Over 6.2 million affluent individuals and 168 million upper-middle-class consumers in China are fueling luxury consumption, both within China and abroad. As these consumers look for travel experiences that cater to their refined tastes, Thailand stands out as a prime destination for high-end tourism, offering world-class resorts, luxurious beachfront properties, and exquisite dining experiences.
However, Thailand faces challenges in attracting these affluent travelers. A significant challenge is the perception of safety, particularly due to concerns over border scams and the recent tensions at the Thailand-Cambodia border. Many governments have issued travel warnings for Thailand, which has caused some hesitation among potential travelers from key markets like China. This perception issue has had a direct impact on the country’s ability to tap into the luxury tourism sector.
The Need for Luxury Marketing and Public-Private Partnerships
To maximize growth in the luxury tourism market, Thailand needs to invest in targeted luxury marketing campaigns that focus on the affluent Asia-Pacific traveler. The country must also work on strengthening public-private partnerships to develop new infrastructure and attractions that cater to the needs of high-end visitors.
Public-private partnerships can be key to building integrated resorts, luxury hotels, and entertainment complexes that appeal to the growing affluent class in the region. Additionally, these partnerships can foster the development of experiences that go beyond typical tourist attractions, offering exclusive and immersive experiences that luxury travelers crave.
Currently, Thailand’s major tourism websites, such as the Thailand National Tourism Organization’s (TAT) website, could benefit from significant upgrades. A more user-friendly and visually appealing website would make it easier for international visitors to access important information about the country’s luxury tourism offerings. By looking at the success of other national tourism boards, such as Japan’s National Tourism Organization website, Thailand could make improvements that would better showcase its luxury offerings to potential visitors from around the globe.
The Impact of Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill
Thailand’s entertainment complex bill, which remains delayed, is another factor that could affect the country’s ability to compete with other countries in the region. The bill’s approval is crucial for enabling Thailand to establish the necessary infrastructure to compete in the luxury tourism market. Integrated resorts and high-end entertainment complexes have become key attractions in places like Singapore and Macau. These resorts not only provide luxury accommodations but also offer world-class entertainment, dining, shopping, and leisure activities, creating a destination that appeals to affluent travelers.
Without this bill’s passage, Thailand risks falling behind other countries in the region. For example, developments like Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands and Sentosa, or Macau’s integrated resorts, continue to set the standard for luxury tourism in Asia. Additionally, new projects in emerging destinations such as Vietnam are gaining attention for their ability to attract affluent visitors, which could further increase the competitive pressure on Thailand.
Galaxy Resorts Thailand, for instance, has emphasized the need for the bill to be passed in order to enhance the country’s competitiveness. The resort giant has expressed patience regarding the delay, respecting the government’s decision while remaining hopeful that the legislation will eventually pass to allow for future developments.
Global Competitiveness and the Luxury Gaming Sector
The battle for dominance in the luxury tourism market extends beyond accommodations and entertainment. The gaming industry also plays a significant role in attracting affluent travelers, with several integrated resorts across the Asia-Pacific region catering to high-end gaming enthusiasts.
In Macau, for example, Galaxy Entertainment Group’s Galaxy Macau is set to open a fourth phase with five new luxury hotels, retail outlets, and family-friendly attractions. The resort is focused on attracting premium customers rather than mass-market gamblers, positioning itself as a high-end destination for tourists looking for both luxury gaming and non-gaming experiences.
With Macau’s government projecting a decrease in the region’s gross gaming revenue, Galaxy Entertainment is still optimistic about its business prospects, as it targets the premium gaming sector. Its strategy aligns with a broader trend in the industry, where companies focus more on high-value customers rather than the traditional mass market.
The Role of Integrated Resorts in Luxury Tourism
The concept of integrated resorts, which blend luxury accommodations, world-class entertainment, gaming, and retail, has become a key component of luxury tourism in Asia. Thailand has the potential to become a major player in this sector, but it will require the government and private sector to collaborate on the creation of world-class resorts that can attract affluent travelers from the Asia-Pacific region.
With the entertainment complex bill still under discussion, Thailand has not yet been able to capitalize fully on the integrated resort trend. However, as developments such as Japan’s MGM Osaka and the UAE’s first casino resort by Wynn in 2027 continue to emerge, the competition in this sector is becoming fiercer. Thailand needs to act quickly to secure its place in this rapidly expanding market.
Thailand’s Strategic Position in Asia-Pacific Tourism
Despite the current challenges, Thailand remains strategically positioned as a leading destination in the Asia-Pacific region. The country’s natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and world-class infrastructure provide a solid foundation for luxury tourism development. However, Thailand must adapt to the changing demands of the Asia-Pacific tourism market by focusing on the luxury sector, particularly targeting the growing number of affluent travelers from China, India, and other regional markets.
To ensure its continued success in the luxury tourism market, Thailand must focus on marketing strategies that emphasize the country’s unique offerings and its potential for delivering world-class experiences. Building integrated resorts, improving tourism platforms, and passing the entertainment complex bill are essential for establishing Thailand as a top destination for wealthy travelers in the Asia-Pacific market.for affluent travelers in the Asia-Pacific region.
With the rise of luxury travel in Asia Pacific, driven by affluent travelers from markets such as China and India who are seeking once-in-a-lifetime high-end experiences, Thailand’s tourism strategy needs to adapt. Thailand has an opportunity to capitalize on its long-standing reputation as a tourism leader in Asia, but it will need to act quickly and invest in infrastructure, luxury resorts and public-private partnerships that build out the region if it is wants to stay at the head of the pack.
Luxury tourism in Thailand may be at a turning point. Safety remains a concern with the entertainment complex bill still unfinished, but the country needs to step up marketing efforts and take advantage of its rich pool of high-rolling visitor sources from Asia-Pacific. Thailand will become a key global player in the premium tourism market by developing public-private partnerships, rehabilitating infrastructure, and ultimately targeting luxury markets.
The Pakistan men’s hockey team will not be taking part in the Asia Cup to be held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 29 to September 7, according to a Hockey India official.
Speaking to The Hindu on Wednesday, the Hockey India official said even though the Indian government was willing to provide visas for the Pakistan players, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) refused to travel, citing security reasons.
Bangladesh invited
“In fact, PHF has written a letter to the Asian Hockey Federation on Wednesday, saying that it won’t be able to compete in the Asia Cup due to security reasons. We have invited Bangladesh now,” the official said.
Pakistan’s participation in the competition — a qualifying event for the 2026 World Cup — had been uncertain given the continued tensions between the two nations, with the PHF making it clear that it had security concerns and even suggesting moving the tournament elsewhere as an option.
This was despite the Indian government’s assurances in early July that no Pakistan team would be stopped from travelling to India.
Officials had claimed as late as July-end that the Pakistan team had already applied for visas. However, the Pakistan government had recently ordered that no invitation to travel to India should be accepted by any sports federation without its explicit approval.
The decision also casts a shadow on Pakistan’s participation in the Junior World Cup to be held in Chennai and Madurai in November-December. Pakistan had also missed out on the JWC in 2016 – which India won – after the Pathankot and Uri terror attacks. Interestingly, Pakistan last travelled to India for the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, finishing fifth in the six-team competition.
