Asia tourism shifts as new regulations and taxes emerge

Tourism trends in Asia are shifting as several countries implement new regulations, taxes, and visitor quotas to manage popular destinations. In Thailand, authorities are promoting 55 secondary provinces to redistribute tourist flows away from congested hubs like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. Specific sites like Maya Bay have also faced seasonal closures and daily visitor caps.

Other regional changes include infrastructure-driven closures in Boracay, Philippines, and new accommodation taxes in Kyoto, Japan, which may reach 10,000 yen per person for high-end stays starting in March 2026.

Thailand remains a major aviation hub in Southeast Asia, supported by approximately 40 commercial airports. Major carriers such as Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways facilitate significant international and regional traffic, with the capital's airports handling nearly 100 million passengers annually.