As a key economic driver, the tourism industry’s contribution to the Philippines’ gross domestic product stood at 12.7 per cent in 2019.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) would require international tourists who want to travel onwards to Northern Ireland from the Republic, even if it is just for a day trip, to apply for pre-travel clearance.

The tourism growth momentum is expected to continue in 2023, on the back of increasing flight connectivity and capacity, as well as China’s reopening.

The Authority has also introduced RAKFAM, a series of initiatives aimed at enriching connectivity, community life and facilities for tourism sector employees in the Emirate.

France is set to cement itself as the most visited country in the world, according to GlobalData, which estimates that the country will attract 93.7 million international travellers by 2025.

China has reopened its borders to international visitors for the first time since it imposed travel restrictions in March 2020.

Costs have already risen sharply for fuel, electricity, food and staffing, and companies will have to pass those costs onto consumers who are already hurting from the higher cost of living.

Lack of travel for the two years of the pandemic has encouraged travellers to make better use of their time, yielding creative forms of tourism trends such as “bleisure” travel.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board also announced in October it will give away 500,000 free airline tickets as soon as all restrictions have been lifted.

Located in the Siem Reap province, the 401-square-km Angkor Archaeological Park, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992, is the most popular tourist destination in the Southeast Asian country.