Readers’ Choice Awards 2026: Seoul Named Best Big City as Japan Keeps Its Crown
Condé Nast Traveler readers named Seoul the best big city and Japan the top country for a fourth year; the UK edition put Bangkok first.
Asia
Asian Games Close in Japan After 50 World Records — and a Long List of Complaints
China topped the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with 169 golds as 50 world records fell, but organisers faced criticism over housing, logistics and empty seats.
Thailand Plans a 450-Baht Fee for Foreign Visitors: What Travellers Need to Know
Thailand plans a flat 450-baht (about $14) fee for foreign visitors from 2027. Who pays, who is exempt, what it funds and when it could start.
Nepal–Tibet Glacier Collapse: Floods Kill Hundreds, More Than 1,500 Missing
A glacier collapse in Tibet unleashed flash floods into Nepal, killing more than 390 people with over 1,500 missing. What happened and why.
Japan Triples Its Departure Tax: What Travellers Now Pay to Leave
Japan’s International Tourist Tax rose from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 in July. Who pays, how it is collected, and what the money funds.