#Thaitravel

In 2024, Albania welcomed 11.7 million foreign visitors, a 15.2% rise from the year before, with travelers from the Americas among the growing segments. Nestled in the Adriatic’s southern front, Tirana—once a quiet capital of a country long isolated from much of the world—is quietly transforming into a launchpad for global explorers, digital nomads, and families seeking a different European experience. A growing spine of expats, drawn not only by sun-soaked beaches and Alpine scenery but by a still-cheap cost of living and a sense of “untouched by mass tourism,” is turning Tirana into a real-world case study in how small nations reinvent themselves in the modern travel era. It’s a story that resonates with readers who want value, safety, and a chance to weave new chapters into their lives without breaking the bank.

A wave of travel inspiration arrives as Tripadvisor reveals the 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards for Best of the Best Things To Do. The list spotlights top-rated attractions and tours, chosen from millions of reviews. For Thai readers planning overseas trips or curious about how Thailand compares globally, the results offer practical ideas and important cautions.

Trust in these rankings comes from everyday travellers, not marketing budgets. The 2025 results cover reviews from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, weighing both quantity and quality of feedback alongside editorial input. The approach prioritises authentic experiences over hype, reassuring budget-conscious families.

Tripadvisor has released its hotly anticipated annual Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do for 2025, highlighting the world’s highest-rated attractions and tours, and putting popular “tourist traps” to the test of public opinion. Drawing on millions of reviews from a global community of travellers, the list reveals which iconic and off-the-beaten-path experiences are truly worth travellers’ time and money. For Thai readers keen on travel overseas or looking to understand how Thailand stacks up in global rankings, this year’s results offer both inspiration and food for thought.

Interest among Southeast Asian travelers in visiting the United States is showing a marked decline, with a new survey finding that one in four respondents has lost enthusiasm for US-bound tourism over the past six months. The results, drawn from a major poll by Milieu Insight involving 6,000 travelers from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia, highlight rising anxieties over potential discrimination, actions by the Trump administration, and fears of gun violence—factors that have begun eclipsing traditional concerns around cost or lengthy journeys (e.vnexpress.net).

A global shift in travel policy is reshaping planning for work, study, and holidays among Thai readers. China has broadened visa-free access to 74 countries for stays up to 30 days, part of a drive to revive tourism and strengthen people-to-people ties. By contrast, the United States is tightening entry rules with higher visa fees and shorter visa validity in many cases. The divergence underscores changing attitudes toward openness and borders, with direct implications for Thai students, workers, and vacationers.

A growing wave of international travelers is swapping classic American holidays for European experiences. Travel experts say concerns about U.S. politics and higher travel costs are prompting a shift toward destinations with distinct European flavors and easier logistics. Reports highlight how iconic American moments—from California surf to New England cabins—are being reimagined through a European lens.

Across the last several months, travel data and industry notes point to a deliberate rethink of U.S. trips. Practical barriers like visa complexity and rising prices, alongside principled responses to policy debates, are shaping new itineraries across Europe—from sun-soaked beaches in Portugal to tranquil Finnish forests.

Amid growing concerns among international holidaymakers about recent political and social developments in the United States, European destinations are enjoying a surge in popularity as travelers look for alternatives to classic American holidays. The latest travel research and expert commentary, as seen in The Guardian’s recent feature “Surfin’ USA? Not this year: 10 European alternatives to classic American holiday destinations”, highlights a marked trend: iconic US experiences, from California surfing to New England cabins, are being swapped for experiences with a distinctly European flavour.

Backpacking across Asia is a dream for many, but a recent travel account published by Tom’s Guide offers fresh lessons for Thai globetrotters keen on embracing technology and streamlining their journeys. After two months backpacking through South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, one UK traveler’s digital missteps and discoveries provide a roadmap for trouble-free, tech-powered exploration—much of which resonates strongly in the Thai context as local and international travel bounces back post-pandemic (Tom’s Guide).

A recent travel account from Tom’s Guide offers practical lessons for Thai explorers chasing seamless, tech-powered journeys across Asia. After two months of backpacking through South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, a UK traveler’s missteps and discoveries provide actionable guidance for trouble-free travel—lessons that resonate with Thai travelers returning to the road post-pandemic. According to the article, smart packing and digital tools can prevent common hassles and boost enjoyment.

International tourists, once a familiar sight at American landmarks and city centers during the peak summer vacation months, are increasingly opting to take their holidays elsewhere, according to the latest news analysis and tourism research. With North America’s iconic destinations now reporting fewer foreign visitors—particularly from Canada, Europe, and other long-standing source markets—the trend signals a shift with broad implications for both the global and Thai tourism sectors (Wall Street Journal via MSN).

International visitors have begun bypassing the United States this summer due to policy shifts and safety concerns, reshaping global travel patterns and offering new opportunities for Thai tourism. Data from tourism research shows a noticeable dip in visitors from Canada, Europe, and other traditional markets, signaling a broader reallocation of travel to destinations perceived as safer and easier to access.

Historically, the United States drew huge crowds to iconic sites like the Statue of Liberty and Disneyland, alongside extensive shopping and varied landscapes. For Thai travelers, the U.S. has long represented access to education, business opportunities, and rich cultural exchanges. Yet this season, hotels, airports, and tour operators report quieter peak months, with fewer international arrivals and altered itineraries.

Southwest Airlines recently ended its long-standing “bags fly free” promise, introducing $35 and $45 fees for checked bags. The move, effective immediately, aims to boost revenue by about $1–1.5 billion but could cost the airline as much as $1.8 billion in market share losses. In short, the policy change may deliver a short-term gain at a potentially steep long-term cost, according to an analysis by Forbes.

This issue resonates beyond airlines. It highlights how businesses must balance immediate financial pressures with the trust and fairness that underpin customer loyalty. Southwest built its identity on hassle-free travel and clear pricing, and the abrupt shift challenges that image.

Flying abroad brings excitement for many Thais, whether for work, study, or leisure. But turbulence can trigger anxiety, leaving passengers gripping armrests and silently wishing for a smoother ride. A recent feature distills expert-backed strategies from flight attendants to help travelers stay calm and informed.

Turbulence is a common in-flight experience, and many passengers catastrophize brief bumps in the sky. For Thai travelers, especially first-timers during a travel rebound after the pandemic, understanding turbulence can lessen fear. Insights from seasoned flight attendants demystify this aviation reality and offer actionable guidance.

For many Thais, the thought of flying abroad—whether for business, study, or leisure—evokes excitement, but also anxiety. This is especially true when a smooth journey is suddenly interrupted by turbulence, leaving passengers gripping their armrests and silently chanting “สาธุ” (sa-thu) for safe passage. A new feature published on HuffPost, “How To Calm Anxiety During Turbulence, According To Flight Attendants” (source), brings comfort by distilling practical, expert-backed strategies straight from the world’s most seasoned flyers.