South Korea Extends Visa Exemption for Australians

Chinese airline Juneyao Air has launched its inaugural flight to Australia, operating four weekly direct flights between Sydney and Shanghai, marking it as the ninth Chinese mainland airline at Sydney Airport. This expansion increases Sydney's seat capacity to mainland China to 101% of pre-pandemic levels, which is seen as beneficial for New South Wales' $50 billion tourism economy. Meanwhile, India's tourism to Western Australia has surged, with 35,000 Indian visitors generating AUD 118 million for the local economy, moving it to the eighth largest international market for the state. Additionally, South Korea has extended its exemption of visa requirements for Australian and New Zealand passport holders until December 31, 2025, encouraging more travel and boosting tourism from these countries. This initiative aligns with South Korea's efforts to enhance tourism during Visit Korea Year 2023-24. The combined effects of these developments indicate a strong recovery and growth in international travel in the Asia-Pacific region.