Australia, New Zealand and China are playing a central role in strengthening tourism across the Asia-Pacific region as expanding travel corridors, simplified digital travel processes and growing regional connectivity encourage more international journeys. The latest travel developments, supported by increasing electronic travel authorisations and completed cross-border trips, are contributing to higher visitor movement while reinforcing links between Oceania and Asia. The evolving travel network is also influencing tourism across Japan, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam, where improved accessibility and rising international demand continue to shape visitor flows throughout 2026.
Australia Strengthens Its Position as a Regional Gateway
Australia continues to serve as one of the Asia-Pacific region’s principal aviation and tourism hubs.
Major international airports in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth connect travellers with destinations throughout Asia and Oceania, supporting both leisure holidays and business travel. Improved travel procedures and expanded airline capacity are making Australia an increasingly important starting point for multi-country itineraries that extend into New Zealand and key Asian destinations.
Visitors also benefit from Australia’s diverse tourism offerings, including coastal experiences, wildlife, national parks, Indigenous cultural attractions and major cities.
New Zealand Continues to Attract High-Value Tourism
New Zealand remains a preferred destination for travellers seeking nature-based experiences, adventure tourism and sustainable travel.
International visitors frequently combine Australia and New Zealand within a single itinerary, taking advantage of well-developed air connections across the Tasman Sea. Destinations including Auckland, Queenstown, Rotorua and Christchurch continue to attract travellers interested in outdoor recreation, Māori cultural experiences and scenic landscapes.
Growing regional connectivity further strengthens New Zealand’s role within Asia-Pacific tourism.
China Drives Outbound Travel Recovery
China continues to influence regional tourism through the steady recovery of outbound travel.
As international mobility expands, Chinese travellers are increasingly exploring destinations across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam. Airlines, tourism operators and hospitality businesses throughout the region continue to adapt their services to meet growing visitor demand while promoting tailored travel experiences for international markets.
The continued recovery of outbound tourism from China remains an important factor supporting tourism growth across the Asia-Pacific region.
Digital Travel Systems Improve Visitor Mobility
Electronic travel authorisation systems are helping simplify international journeys by reducing administrative processes for eligible travellers.
Digital travel platforms improve the visitor experience by streamlining entry procedures, supporting faster border processing and encouraging more efficient travel planning. The growing use of digital authorisation systems also supports tourism authorities in managing increased visitor volumes while improving international connectivity.
These developments contribute to smoother cross-border movement throughout the region.
Multi-Country Itineraries Continue to Expand
Improved air connectivity encourages travellers to combine several destinations during a single holiday.
Visitors increasingly travel between Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam, experiencing a wide range of cultural, natural and urban attractions within one itinerary. Short flight times, extensive airline networks and growing tourism cooperation support this regional approach to travel.
The expansion of multi-country holidays benefits airlines, hotels, tour operators and visitor attractions across multiple destinations.
Competition Strengthens Tourism Across Asia-Pacific
Japan, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam continue expanding their tourism offerings to attract international visitors from both regional and long-haul markets.
Japan combines heritage, technology and seasonal attractions, while Thailand remains popular for beaches, cultural landmarks and wellness tourism. South Korea continues to attract visitors through urban experiences, entertainment and cultural tourism, while Vietnam offers coastal destinations, heritage cities and culinary experiences.
The continued growth of these destinations contributes to a highly connected and competitive regional tourism market.
Planning an Asia-Pacific Journey
Travellers planning an Asia-Pacific itinerary can combine Australia and New Zealand with destinations across East and Southeast Asia using extensive international flight networks.
Popular travel routes often include Sydney, Auckland, Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, allowing visitors to experience different cultures, cuisines, landscapes and tourism attractions within a single journey. Digital travel authorisations, expanding airline services and improved airport infrastructure continue to make regional travel more accessible.
As tourism continues to evolve across the Asia-Pacific region, Australia, New Zealand and China remain central to strengthening regional travel through improved connectivity, digital mobility systems and growing international visitor demand. Together with Japan, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam, these destinations are supporting a more integrated tourism landscape where seamless travel, cultural experiences and multi-country itineraries continue to shape international tourism throughout 2026.
