ATF TRAVEX 2026 Lands in the Philippines, Brings Asia to the World Cebu

The 45th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) officially opened today in Cebu, Philippines.

More than 1,000 delegates are expected to participate in over 30 meetings, business sessions, educational forums, and networking events, including ATF TRAVEX, the forum’s flagship three-day travel trade exhibition. The event has also drawn strong media interest. Nearly 100 local and international media representatives as well as the key persons of Russian Travel Digest Mrs. Marina Zatsepina and Mrs. Natalia Klimenok attend to report on key developments, announcements, and trends shaping the ASEAN tourism sector.

Designed to maximize productivity and commercial outcomes, ATF TRAVEX 2026 enabled exhibitors and buyers to pre-schedule up to 100% of their business appointments ahead of arrival. It has attracted buyers across 50 countries and territories worldwide, including buyers from Russian Federation.

The theme of the 2026 ASEAN Tourism Forum, “Navigating Our Tourism Future, Together,” reflects the region’s collective commitment to collaboration and shared progress amid a rapidly evolving global landscape. It underscores the importance of regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and inclusive partnerships in addressing emerging challenges and advancing sustainable tourism growth across ASEAN. The TRAVEX Opening Ceremony kicked off with vibrant Filipino cultural performances that warmly welcomed delegates. This was followed by an official walk-through of the exhibition hall led by senior government officials and ASEAN representatives, formally marking the opening of ATF TRAVEX 2026.

As host of ATF 2026, the Philippines proudly welcomes delegates to Cebu as a platform for meaningful dialogue, business exchange, and partnership building. Through a comprehensive programme of meetings, trade engagements, and networking events, ATF 2026 aims to strengthen connectivity, enhance destination competitiveness, and support a more inclusive and future-ready tourism sector for the region.

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ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) is a cooperative regional effort to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as one tourist destination. This annual event involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 11 ASEAN Member Nations: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Each year, the hosting of ATF is rotated among the member countries. The Philippines host host ATF 2026. ATF 2026 marks the 45th anniversary of this event since its inauguration in Malaysia in 1981.

Ecotourism in Kyrgyzstan: a Rising Star of the Tourism Industry
Kyrgyzstan is actively developing ecotourism, which aims to preserve the natural environment and attract tourists interested in close contact with nature. Ecotourism in the country combines mountaineering, trekking, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and ethno-tourism, creating unique opportunities for travelers. Popular tourist routes also include…
https://russtd.com/ecotourism-in-kyrgyzstan-a-rising-star-of-the-tourism-industry.html

February 2026: where the Russians are Vacationing
The February tourist flow continues to show a trend towards geographical diversification, which began in January. Based on data from the tour aggregator Sletat.ru the picture of sales and search interest of tourists for February 2026 included in the top ten:

Egypt – 26.5% of all sold tour packages
Thailand – 21.3%
UAE – 14.4%
https://russtd.com/february-2026-where-the-russians-are-vacationing.html

From Russia to China in 2.5 Minutes and 40 USD
The cross-border cable car is being built within the framework of an intergovernmental agreement between the Russian Federation and China, concluded in September 2015. The symbolic start of the project was given in July 2019. It will connect Blagoveshchensk in Russia and Heihe in China, and is scheduled to open in August 2026.
The highway…
https://russtd.com/from-russia-to-china-in-2.5-minutes-and-40-usd.html

Cebu the Island with the History, Traditions and Smiles
As part of the ASEAN TOURISM FORUM (ATF) 2026, a pre-tour «A Heritage Tour of Cebu» was organized for guests and media representatives on January 27. Natalia Klimenok from Russian Travel Digest shared her impressions of the…
https://russtd.com/cebu-the-island-with-the-history,-traditions-and-smiles.html

ITB China Officially Announces Georgia as Partner Destination for 2026
Georgia has been appointed Official Partner Destination of ITB China 2026, taking place from 26–28 May 2026 in Shanghai, underscoring its strategic focus on the Chinese outbound travel market and a new phase of cooperation in destination promotion, industry exchange, and business matchmaking.

As a leading B2B travel trade platform dedicated…
https://russtd.com/itb-china-officially-announces-georgia-as-partner-destination-for-2026.html

Uzbekistan plans to welcome 12 million foreign tourists in 2026
Uzbekistan expects to welcome 12 million foreign tourists in 2026. This was announced by Mr. Abrorhuja Munovarov, Head of the Investment Department of the Tourism Committee, at the 7th Hotel Business Forum 2026, which was held in Tashkent on February 13 - 14.

According to him, 1023 new accommodation facilities have been opened in the regions…
https://russtd.com/uzbekistan-plans-to-welcome-12-million-foreign-tourists-in-2026.html

Russian Union of Travel Industry: France, Italy, and Spain Remain the Leaders in Visa Issuance to Russians
Experts from the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI) estimate the number of visa applications submitted by Russians in 2025 at 620 000 – 670 000, and the number of visas issued at 540 000 – 570 000. France, Italy, and Spain remain the leaders in the number of Schengen visas issued to Russians, but the share of multiple-entry visas has fallen…
https://russtd.com/russian-union-of-travel-industry-france,-italy,-and-spain-remain-the-leaders-in-visa-issuance-to-russians.html

Russia Plans to Simplify Visa Regulations with Four African Countries
Russians' interest in exploring the African continent continues to grow, according to travel industry experts. On average, the tourist flow increases by one and a half to two times annually, some travelers become regular buyers of tours.
Currently, Russians can visit 11 African countries visa-free. Russians can stay in Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia,…
https://russtd.com/russia-plans-to-simplify-visa-regulations-with-four-african-countries.html

The Journey to the Philippines Continues
After days full of exhibitions, meetings, presentations, and briefings at the ASEAN TOURISM FORUM (ATF) 2026, the final event was a tour of the picturesque regions of the Philippines, which took place from January 31 to February 4, 2026 for hosted buyers and media representatives.

Natalia Klimenok from Russian Travel Digest, who previously…
https://russtd.com/the-journey-to-the-philippines-continues.html

Middle East: The Sky Is Closed
Due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, several Gulf countries have completely closed their airspace or imposed temporary overflight restrictions.
Russian air companies, as well as companies from other countries in the region, are forced to adjust their routes.

As of March 1–2, 2026, the airspace over the United Arab Emirates,…
https://russtd.com/middle-east-the-sky-is-closed.html

A New Budget Vacation Option in the Maldives: pros and cons
Guesthouses and local islands - inhabited islands where locals live - are becoming increasingly popular among Russian tourists vacationing in the Maldives. This is the opposite of island resorts, where there are only tourists and staff.

As Interfax notes, the growth of guesthouses has contributed to the increase in tourist flow from Russia.…
https://russtd.com/a-new-budget-vacation-option-in-the-maldives-pros-and-cons.html

The Middle East: How Russian Tourists are Being Repatriated
The situation in the Middle East remains tense, but the repatriation of tourists to Russia is in full swing. On March 2 and 3, nearly 3,000 Russians left the Persian Gulf countries.
On March 3, approximately 2,800 passengers were departed:
Moscow's Vnukovo Airport welcomed four Flydubai flights from Dubai. Besides Moscow, passengers…
https://russtd.com/the-middle-east-how-russian-tourists-are-being-repatriated.html

Japan Is One of the Most Growing Market for Russian Tourism
The Japanese National Tourism Organization (JNTO) reported that the number of tourists from Russia in 2025 increased to nearly 195,000, a 96.3% increase from 2024. In December, 8,300 Russians visited Japan, a 41.2% increase from the previous year.

Experts named the increase in interest in traveling to Japan expected and explained it, in…
https://russtd.com/japan-is-one-of-the-most-growing-market-for-russian-tourism.html

Tour operators advise tourists not to cancel tours to the Middle East booked for late dates
According to experts from the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI), there have been no mass cancellations of tours to the Middle East for distant dates yet, although tourists are wondering whether they are obliged to do so following the Russian Ministry of Economic Development's travel advisory. RUTI experts emphasize that the conflict in the…
https://russtd.com/tour-operators-advise-tourists-not-to-cancel-tours-to-the-middle-east-booked-for-late-dates.html

Middle East: the Evacuation of Russian Tourists is Completed
As of March 16, Association of tour operators of Russia announced that they evacuated from the UAE to Russia all the tourists the who had purchased package tours.

In rare individual cases, tourists, usually with hotel only tours (those who booked only a hotel from a tour operator and bought tickets on their own) chose to stay in the UAE…
https://russtd.com/middle-east-the-evacuation-of-russian-tourists-is-completed.html

One More African Country Plans to Launch Direct Flights to Russia and to Waive Visas for Russian Citizens
The growing interest among Russians in vacationing in Africa, Uganda has become even more active in promoting itself in the Russian tourism market. The DMCs are establishing contacts with Russian tour operators. Its national carrier, Uganda Airlines, is ready to consider launching direct flights.

At the MITT-2026 travel fair held in Moscow…
https://russtd.com/one-more-african-country-plans-to-launch-direct-flights-to-russia-and-to-waive-visas-for-russian-citizens.html

Hainan Island: Russian demand has increased by 60 percent
Russian tourist flow to the Chinese island of Hainan, having reached record levels last year, continues to rapidly increase in 2026.

In the first two months of 2026, Hainan welcomed 89,000 tourists from Russia, a 61.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Russia accounted for 31% of Hainan's total tourist flow in January-February.
https://russtd.com/hainan-island-russian-demand-has-increased-by-60-percent.html

Azerbaijan is Expanding Its Presence in the Russian Tourism Market
In 2025, Russian tourist flow to Azerbaijan totaled 615,000 visits, an 18% decrease year-on-year.

2026 Azerbaijan has a chance of being even more successful, stated Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Russian Federation Rahman Mustafayev, pointing to the fact that in January 2026, tourist flow from Russia had already grown by 7% year-on-year,…
https://russtd.com/azerbaijan-is-expanding-its-presence-in-the-russian-tourism-market.html