Great Britain | The New Electronic Travel Authorisation to Travel to the UK will be Mandatory from 2nd April 2025 with an Expected Cost of €19.0

The new ETA, the Electronic Travel Authorisation established by the Governement of Great Britain to travel to the UK, a digital permission similar to a visa waiver, allowing visitor to travel for tourism, family, visits, business or short - term study will be mandatory from 2nd April 2025 with an expected cost of €19.0.

 From this date, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, excluding Irish citizens will need an ETA to travel to the United Kingdom for short stays, with applications already openned on 5th March 2025 and it will be mandatory for all travellers, including minors,with the exception of travellers in transit without clearing board control, residents and students with visas, among other situations considered exceptions and although the initial cost was of £10.0 about €12.0, it is expected to rise to £16.0 about  €19.0.

The request for authorisation is made through a specific application created by the British Government such as UK ETA app or on the GOV.UK website, and it is recommended to do so at least three days before the planned date of travel, as this is the time it may take to be issued.

 Applications, if accepted will mean that the applicant will receive a confirmation email and the document will be digitally associated with their passport.

An ElectrronicTravel Authorisation is valid for two years from the date of grant or until the passaport used in the application expires, whichever is sooner and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six month.

Link -  https://www.expreso.info/noticias/internacional/105567_la_nueva_autorizacion_para_viajar_al_reino_unido_costara_19_euros

Malaysia | Tourism Sector Experiencing an Impressive Growth, Focusing now on Religious Tourism to Diversify and Enhance its Offering

Malaysia, country occupying parts of the island of Borneo and the Malay Peninsula, a very emergent tourist destination in South East Asia, highlighted by dynamic cities, stunning beaches, idyllic islands, a rich biodiversity, national parks, rainforests, remarkable treasures and hidden gems. with a captivating mix of Malay, Chinese and European cultural influences and fabulous food is experiencing in the tourism sector  an impressive growth and now focusing on religious tourism to diversify and enhance its offering.

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, during Royal Selangor's 140th anniversary celebration revealed that the country's is seeing a very significant increase of its tourism sector with visitors numbers that amounted to an impressive 36.0 million in 2024.

This very significant growth in terms of incoming tourism is attributed to the increasing of arrivals from China but also from other countries with tourists more and more interested in the many opportunities Malaysia offers to live memorable experiences, also driven by the implementation of visa - free entrty for travellers from different nations and a very varied tourism offering in many segments and niches.

The Deputy Minister also said that the ministry is focusing on the religious tourism specifically on the Muslim - friendly tourism industry, linked to the so called "Halal tourism" that offers travel experiences adhering to Islamic principles, and includes accommodations, dining, transportation and activities, representing a market with huge untapped potential that many countries have yet to explore.

The Deputy Minister added that the Malaysian tourism industry needs to understand the changing preferences of travellers after covid - 19. Before the pandemic their interest were different, but now they are looking for more experiential trips, as they want to see, feel and immerse themselves in authentic experiences, and the Malaysian tourism sector must create offerings to meet these expectations.

Malaysia is well positioned in this regard, Islam was historically introduced in South East Asia by travelling merchants and Sufis from the late 13th century entering with a strong influence in Malaysia, it is the official religion of the country as per Article 3 of the Constiution, and the majority of the population practices it, however the nation also allows the practice of other religions and it offers a very interesting scene to develop very attractive options in the religious tourism segment diversifying and enhancing its offering.

Link - https://www.expreso.info/index.php/noticias/internacional/105398_el_turismo_en_malasia_alcanza_los_36m_de_visitantes

Morocco | Smoother Access to its Airports Thanks to a Reorganization of Security and the Implementation of a New System

Morocco, North African country in the Maghreb region is experiencing several improvements in its tourism sector such as developments and openings of new hotels and resorts, a diversification of its tourist offering, the launch of new attractive tourist products, the enhancement in air connectivity and recently there was a further improvement as making passenger traffic more fluid without detracting from airport safety, allowing a smoother access to its airports thanks to a  reorganization of security and the implementation of a a new system. 

These improvements were managed by ONDA, the Office National des Aéroports, Moroccan Airports Authority, responsible for managing and developing airport infrastructure and air navigation services in the country, with a focus on improving passenger experience and increasing capacity.

 The reorganization intended to streamline traffic flow and enhance the overall experience for arriving passengers and according to a press release of ONDA this relevant improvement was made possible thanks to the coordination between various authorities responsible for airport security, such as the Ministry of the Interior, the Gendarmerie Royale and DGSN, the General Directorate of National Security, with a control system redesigned to balance operationa efficiency with stringent safety standards.

The operations started with Mohamed V Airport V in Casablanca that has already implemented this new system on 5th March 2025. At the entrance of the airport the inspection devices, scanners and gates have been relocated, effectively eliminationg long queues according to information provided by the online newspaper Yabiladi.

The new system will be gradually implemented in other airports across the North African Kingdom beginning with Marrakech - Menara airport in the coming days, an airport that struggled with long queues for many years. The operations are already undergone to address this issue and the airport will soon be free of gates and other scanners making the access faster and more efficient.

This initiative is part of the “Airport 2030” strategy by ONDA, aims to modernize airport infrastructure and enhance the passenger experience, with a focus on enhancing security measures, integrating new technologies, increasing capacity and improving efficiency at key airports like Agadir, Casablanca and Marrakech to support tourism and economic growth, a strategic plan that also includes to double the Moroccan airport capacity to 80 million passengers annually by 2030, up from the current 38 million.

Link - https://en.yabiladi.com/articles/details/160808/casablanca-s-mohammed-airport-overhauls-security.html

Panama | Strategic Plans to Develop Nautical Tourism Throughout its Territory

Panama, Latin American country on the isthmus linking Central and South America, a land boasting a rich biodiversity highlighted by a pristine nature with protagonists rainforests, mountains, a stunning wildlife, idyllic islands, long coastlines on the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, with its iconic Canal as a major highlight is managing strategic plans to develop nautical tourism throughout its territory.   

The Panamanian authorities have the intention to promote boat shows, exhibitions, tournaments and a recreational events in marinas and public ports to develop nautical tourism, a tourist segment that involves water - based activities, such as sailing in sports or recreational boats, yachting, cruising, diving, jet skiing, port tours and marine heritage destinations a type of tourism that has become more popular in recent years as travellers seek unique and adventurous experiences. 

AMP, the Panama Maritime Authority, autonomous agency of the Panamanian government established in 1998 to integrate and coordinate the maritime services offered by the country to the international shipping industry of trade and logistic in collaboration with ATP, the Panama Tourism Authority, plans to sign cooperation agreements with public and private entities to promote the development of nautical tourism all around its territory, notably confident to have successful performances in this segment thanks to the presence of suitable infrastructure and a large variety of functional services.

Currently, there are multiple activities planned, such as stays in marinas, docks and ports for leisure, sport fishing, tourism and ecotourism activities, as well as the rental of recreational boats, for transport or single charter, likewise the holding of nautical fairs, exhibitions, tournaments and recreational events in marinas or public and concessioned ports, whose operational capacity allows the development of local tourism, will be promoted.

In addition, the development of marketing and advertising programs next to projects that encourage national and international interest in all nautical - sports activities and related activities has been established as important resources to position Panama as a relevant nautical destination compared to other countries in the region and the world.

Finally, the creation of the Nautical Tourism Office is foreseen, it will be attached to the Panama Maritime Authority, responsible for ensuring cooperation, coordination, control, monitoring tourist and nautical logistics, in addition to other operations and functions established by current legislation.

Link -  https://www.expreso.info/noticias/internacional/105199_cobra_impulso_en_panama_el_turismo_nautico