Hong Kong Unites With Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Fiji, Vietnam And South Korea With Tourism Boom Skyrocketing Travel Avenues With Explosive New Ventures And Future Promises

Published on September 3, 2025

Asia is experiencing a powerful rebound successful tourism. After pandemic‑related recreation restrictions eased, pent‑up request and supportive authorities policies person driven a activity of visitors crossed nan region. Hong Kong, which historically functions arsenic a gateway betwixt Mainland China and nan remainder of Asia, is positioned astatine nan centre of this recovery. In 2025, nan metropolis is progressively collaborating pinch neighbouring destinations specified arsenic Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Fiji, Vietnam and South Korea to create multi‑destination itineraries, streamline visas and beforehand cross‑border experiences and tourism boom. This article reviews nan latest government‑verified statistic for each market, examines trends driving nan roar and explores really greater unity betwixt these destinations is reshaping travel.

Hong Kong – Gateway to nan Region

Hong Kong has agelong been an aerial and oversea hub for Asian tourism. According to nan Legislative Council’s Hong Kong successful Figures 2025 report, nan metropolis received 8.41 million visitors during January–February 2025, an summation of 7.4 % from nan aforesaid play successful 2024. Mainland Chinese travellers accounted for 77 % of arrivals, but location was besides maturation from North Asia (Japan and South Korea), South‑East Asia and long‑haul markets. Visitor spending per capita varied by market; Mainland visitors spent HK$4,958 successful 2024 (down from HK$6,495 successful 2023), while travellers from nan Americas spent HK$7,078. In total, Hong Kong recorded 44.5 million visitant arrivals successful 2024.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has responded by deepening collaboration pinch neighbouring destinations. In 2024 it signed agreements pinch tourism authorities successful Japan, Malaysia and Thailand to beforehand multi‑city itineraries via trading campaigns and associated promotions. Visa‑free arrangements pinch South‑East Asian countries and streamlined migration for Mainland visitors person further encouraged travel. The Hong Kong International Airport continues to grow flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Seoul, making it an perfect stopover.

Japan – Record‑Breaking Arrivals and Spending

Japan’s tourism comeback has been dramatic. The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) reported that 2024 saw 36.87 million visitant arrivals, surpassing nan pre‑pandemic grounds of 31.9 million and boosted by nan anemic yen. Visitors spent a grounds ¥8.1 trillion (about US$54 billion) successful 2024. Preliminary JNTO information for April 2025 shows that 3.91 million visitors visited Japan, a 28.5 % year‑on‑year increase; cumulative arrivals for January–April 2025 reached 14.45 million. The largest markets were China (765,100 visitors successful April 2025), South Korea (721,600), Taiwan (537,600) and Hong Kong (263,600). JNTO’s July 2025 bulletin notes that year‑to‑date arrivals (Jan–Jul 2025) reached 24.96 million, pinch July unsocial welcoming 3.44 million visitors. The aforesaid archive lists South Korea, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong arsenic nan apical root markets, while Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam besides showed important growth.

Japan has leveraged this surge by partnering pinch Hong Kong and different Asian destinations connected associated trading campaigns. The “HK–Japan Travel 2025” programme, launched successful late 2024, promotes mixed itineraries specified arsenic Hong Kong + Tokyo + Osaka aliases Hong Kong + Hokkaido and offers discount passes for travellers who sojourn some regions. Japan besides expanded physics visas to Mainland Chinese and extended visa‑free stays for Malaysian and Thai tourists. Rail passes for illustration nan JR East South Hokkaido walk are marketed together pinch Hong Kong’s MTR tourer ticket.

Malaysia – Rapid Recovery & Regional Integration

Malaysia’s tourism manufacture rebounded sharply aft reopening borders. The Malaysia Tourism Key Performance Indicators 2023 study shows that 2023 attracted 20.14 million world tourists, generating RM 71.3 billion successful receipts[7]. Top markets were Singapore (8.31 m visitors), Indonesia (3.11 m), Thailand (1.55 m), China (1.47 m) and Brunei (0.81 m)[8].

The betterment accelerated successful 2024. The charismatic Malaysia Tourism Statistics successful Brief 2024 summary notes that Malaysia welcomed 37.96 million overseas visitors successful 2024, a 31.1 % summation complete 2023. Foreign visitant spending roseate to RM 106.8 billion, up 43.7 %[9][10]. Singapore remained nan largest marketplace (18.86 m visitors), followed by Indonesia (4.15 m), China (3.73 m), Thailand (2.27 m) and Brunei (1.73 m); nan study besides lists arrivals from India (1.37 m), South Korea (0.55 m), Vietnam (0.37 m) and Japan (0.37 m)[11]. Visitor arrivals each period grew powerfully compared pinch 2023[10].

Malaysia’s 2024 capacity group nan shape for further growth. A mid‑2024 Fast‑Fact Tourism Highlights study shows that January–June 2024 saw 11.81 million tourists, a 28.9 % summation compared pinch nan aforesaid play successful 2023; much than half arrived overland from Singapore[12]. Visitors spent RM 45.4 billion during this period[13]. In July 2025, Malaysia’s Tourism Minister announced that January–May 2025 recorded 16.9 million world arrivals, up 20 % year‑on‑year; Singapore accounted for half of these visitors, followed by Indonesia (1.82 m), China (1.81 m) and Thailand (1.06 m)[14]. Malaysia intends to pull 47 million visitors successful 2026[14].

Malaysia collaborates pinch Hong Kong via associated trading campaigns that beforehand twin‑destination holidays. The HKTB and Tourism Malaysia person launched promotions encouraging travellers from Mainland China and Southeast Asia to sojourn some Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur connected a azygous trip, pinch packages combining attractions for illustration Hong Kong’s taxable parks and Malaysia’s beaches. Visa‑free introduction for Chinese visitors to Malaysia and a reciprocal e‑channel statement for Hong Kong residents besides facilitate travel.

Thailand – Sustained Recovery and Visa Reforms

Thailand remains 1 of Asia’s tourism powerhouses. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported that Thailand welcomed 35.05 million world visitors betwixt 1 January and 27 December 2024, generating over THB 1.8 trillion successful tourism revenue[15]. This marks a important betterment from 28.2 million visitors successful 2023[16]. Thailand expects to big 36–39 million visitors successful 2025[15].

2025 started strongly. According to a Ministry of Tourism and Sports briefing reported by Nation Thailand, nan state received 18.37 million visitors from 1 January to 20 July 2025 and earned THB 850.6 billion successful revenue[17]. The apical markets were Malaysia (2.54 m visitors), China (2.53 m), India (1.31 m), Russia (1.09 m) and South Korea (0.85 m)[17][18]. The briefing noted a surge successful arrivals from Japan during nan week of 14‑20 July 2025, attributed to promotional campaigns and visa waivers[18].

Thailand has aggressively implemented visa reforms to pull much travellers. In 2023 it removed nan TM.6 migration shape astatine prime airports and expanded visa‑exemption agreements pinch China, Kazakhstan, India and Russia[15]. The 2025 “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year” intends to merge awesome festivals, sports events and “tourism + sports” experiences, galore of which are marketed jointly pinch Hong Kong. Airlines specified arsenic Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways run further flights connected nan Hong Kong–Bangkok route, enabling travellers to link onward to Phuket, Chiang Mai aliases Kuala Lumpur.

Fiji – Pacific Destination Breaks Records

While smaller successful population, Fiji has go a captious Pacific destination for Asian travellers. The Fiji Bureau of Statistics reported that 2024 visitant arrivals reached 982,938, a 5.7 % increase complete 2023[19]. Holidaymakers comprised 79 % of visitors, while 8.3 % were visiting friends aliases relatives, 2.2 % came for business and 10.5 % for different reasons[19]. Australia supplied 455,228 visitors (46 % share), New Zealand 225,928, nan United States 107,821 and China 30,535[20].

Fiji’s tourism net totaled FJ$ 2.54 billion successful 2024, a 1.9 % summation year‑on‑year[21]. Monthly information show a dependable rise: January 2025 recorded 70,794 visitors, a grounds for January[22]; March 2025 saw 63,842 visitors, up 29 % from February contempt being somewhat beneath March 2024[23]; May 2025 had 86,587 visitors, 4.4 % higher than May 2024[24]; and July 2025 reached 99,311 visitors, surpassing July 2024 and mounting a caller monthly record[25]. These figures bespeak increasing request from Australia, New Zealand and nan United States.

Fiji useful pinch Hong Kong Airlines to beforehand mixed itineraries linking Fiji’s beaches pinch Hong Kong’s municipality attractions. A visa‑exemption statement for Hong Kong passport holders and streamlined transportation arrangements astatine Nadi International Airport promote travellers to incorporated Fiji into multi‑country trips that see Japan aliases Malaysia.

Vietnam – Surging Arrivals & Open Visas

Vietnam has emerged arsenic 1 of Asia’s fastest‑growing destinations. The Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) announced that Vietnam welcomed complete 17.5 million world visitors successful 2024, representing a 39.5 % year‑on‑year increase[26]. Of these, 14.8 million arrived by air, 2.5 million by roadworthy and 248,100 by sea[26]. Asia accounted for 79.6 % of visitors, pinch Europe (11.3 %), nan Americas (5.7 %), Oceania (3.1 %) and Africa (0.3 %) making up nan remainder[26]. South Korea was nan largest root marketplace pinch 4.5 million visitors, followed by China (3.7 m), nan United States (0.78 m), Japan (0.71 m), India (0.50 m), Malaysia (0.49 m), Australia (0.49 m), Cambodia (0.48 m) and Thailand (0.42 m)[26]. The article notes that India’s marketplace grew quickly from 138,000 visitors successful 2022 to 501,000 successful 2024[26].

Vietnam’s momentum continued successful 2025. A VNAT merchandise connected 10 April 2025 reported that international arrivals successful March 2025 exceeded 2 million, contributing to much than 6 million visitors successful Q1 2025, a 29.6 % increase complete Q1 2024[27]. Another VNAT update successful August 2025 highlighted that July 2025 brought 1.56 million visitors, a 35.7 % year‑on‑year increase; cumulatively, January–July 2025 saw 12.2 million visitors, up 22.5 % complete nan aforesaid play of 2024[28]. Vietnam credits its open‑visa policies—such arsenic 90‑day physics visas and visa‑free introduction for citizens of Japan, South Korea and respective European countries—as cardinal drivers.

Vietnam cooperates pinch Hong Kong connected aerial connectivity (Cathay Pacific resumed flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi) and promotes twin‑city packages. Many visitors from Europe and North America now take itineraries that see Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan aliases Thailand. With cross‑border integer costs systems expanding, travellers tin easy usage e‑wallets crossed nan region.

South Korea – Gradual Recovery and Ambitious Targets

Official information connected South Korea’s inbound tourism is little readily disposable than different markets, but authorities releases supply penetration into early recovery. A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) property merchandise from 30 April 2024 reported that 3.40 million world visitors visited Korea successful nan first 4th of 2024, representing an 88.6 % betterment compared pinch Q1 2019[29]. March 2024 unsocial saw 1.492 million visitors, achieving 97.1 % of nan March 2019 level[30]. The property merchandise highlighted beardown maturation from markets specified arsenic Taiwan, nan United States, Vietnam, Singapore and nan Philippines[31].

Although full‑year 2024 figures were not published connected nan English MCST tract astatine nan clip of writing, awesome Korean news outlets reported that about 16.37 million overseas visitors came to Korea successful 2024, representing a 48 % summation complete 2023 and astir 94 % of nan 2019 record. Early 2025 figures propose that inbound tourism remains robust; Korea group a target to pull 18.5 million visitors successful 2025 and intends to scope 30 million by 2027. The authorities is leveraging nan world fame of K‑culture by promoting hallyu (K‑pop and drama) tours, expanding duty‑free shopping and implementing integer visa waiver programmes. Air connectivity pinch Hong Kong, Japan and Southeast Asia continues to expand, and Korea is collaborating pinch Hong Kong connected trading campaigns that harvester Seoul pinch Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

Collaboration & Connectivity – Building a Pan‑Asian Tourism Corridor

The resurgence of tourism crossed Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Fiji, Vietnam and South Korea is underpinned by increasing collaboration. Key themes include:

• Joint trading and multi‑destination packages. Tourism boards are pooling resources to beforehand routes specified arsenic Hong Kong–Tokyo–Osaka, Hong Kong–Bangkok–Phuket, Hong Kong–Kuala Lumpur–Bali and Hong Kong–Seoul–Busan. These packages often see shared carrier passes, cross‑border discount vouchers and mixed show calendars.
• Visa liberalisation. Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam person introduced visa exemptions aliases e‑visa accommodation for Chinese, Indian and Russian travellers, while Japan and South Korea are easing visa rules for Southeast Asians. Hong Kong offers multiple‑entry visas for Mainland visitors and simplified procedures for travellers transiting done Hong Kong to different destinations.
• Increased aerial capacity. Airlines specified arsenic Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, ANA, JAL, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Fiji Airways and Vietnam Airlines person added frequencies and caller routes linking Hong Kong pinch each country’s awesome cities. Low‑cost carriers are besides expanding flights, which lowers fares and makes multi‑country recreation much feasible.
• Digital innovation. Tourism boards are utilizing information analytics and AI to understand visitant preferences and present personalised itineraries. For instance, South Korea’s tourism information laboratory analyses paper spending information to tailor marketing[32], while Malaysia and Thailand usage QR‑code‑based costs systems for cross‑border transactions.
• Sustainable tourism and organization development. Many of nan countries emphasise responsible travel—promoting eco‑tourism successful Fiji, practice tourism successful Vietnam and community‑based tourism successful Malaysia. Collaboration ensures that accrued visitant numbers do not overwhelm section communities.

Economic Impact & Outlook

The tourism roar is yielding important economical benefits. In 2024, Malaysia’s overseas visitant spending reached RM 106.8 billion[9], Japan’s tourism spending topped ¥8.1 trillion[2] and Fiji’s net exceeded FJ$ 2.5 billion[21]. Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam besides reported grounds revenues from visitant expenditures. Beyond nonstop spending, nan roar supports airlines, hospitality, unit and entertainment, creating jobs and stimulating finance successful infrastructure.

The outlook for 2025–2026 is optimistic. Hong Kong’s integration pinch nan Greater Bay Area will further fortify its hub role. Japan intends to prolong maturation done location tourism campaigns and rate advantages. Malaysia is targeting 47 million visitors by 2026[14], and Thailand expects to surpass its 2019 record. Vietnam’s open‑visa policies and trading push could present 18–20 million visitors by 2025, while Fiji continues to diversify its markets. South Korea’s attraction connected K‑culture tourism and integer invention supports its target of 30 million visitors by 2027.

Summary of Key Statistics

The 2025 tourism roar crossed Asia underscores some pent‑up request and nan powerfulness of cooperation. Hong Kong’s cardinal position and fierce trading person catalysed recreation betwixt China, Japan, Southeast Asia and nan Pacific. Each state covered present is deploying policies—visa reforms, associated campaigns, caller aerial routes and integer innovation—that not only pull much visitors but besides promote them to sojourn aggregate destinations successful 1 trip. The latest statistic show that 2024 marked a afloat betterment to aliases beyond pre‑pandemic levels for galore markets, and early 2025 figures propose further growth. As location collaboration deepens, Asia’s tourism corridor is group to go 1 of nan world’s astir move recreation networks, delivering economical benefits and fostering taste speech crossed borders.

Sources:

[1] Hong Kong successful figures

[2] Japan gets grounds 3.49 mln visitors successful December, capping caller yearly precocious | Reuters

[3] [4] Number_of_visitor_arrivals_to_Japan_in_April_2025.pdf

[5] [6] Number_of_visitor_arrivals_to_Japan_in_July_2025.pdf

[7] [8] Malaysia-Tourism-Key-Performance-Indicators-2023.pdf

[9] [10] [11] New_Final_Malaysia%20Tourism%20Statistics%20in%20Brief%202024.pdf

[12] [13] fast-fact-tourism-highlights-jan-june-2024.pdf

[14] Malaysia’s tourer arrivals up 20% from Jan to May, ministry says | Reuters

[15] Thailand Welcomes Over 35 Million Visitors successful 2024: A Milestone Paving nan Way for 2025 – TAT Newsroom

[16] Monetary Policy Report

[17] [18] Thailand welcomes 18.3 cardinal tourists, generating complete THB850 cardinal successful revenue

[19] PROVISIONAL VISITOR ARRIVALS – 2024 – Fiji Bureau of Statistics

[20] migration news release

[21] te_annual_2024.pdf

[22] PROVISIONAL VISITOR ARRIVALS – January 2025 – Fiji Bureau of Statistics

[23] PROVISIONAL VISITOR ARRIVALS – March 2025 – Fiji Bureau of Statistics

[24] PROVISIONAL VISITOR ARRIVALS – May 2025 – Fiji Bureau of Statistics

[25] PROVISIONAL VISITOR ARRIVALS – July 2025 – Fiji Bureau of Statistics

[26] Viet Nam records much than 17.5 cardinal world visitant arrivals successful 2024

[27] Viet Nam records highest world visitant arrivals successful Q1

[28] Vietnam Welcomes 12.2 Million International Tourists successful nan First 7 Months of 2025

[29] [30] [31] [32] Welcome to nan website of nan Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of nan Republic of Korea. https://www.mcst.go.kr/english/policy/pressView.jsp