Pacific drug crackdown: Australia and New Zealand police are setting up an International Joint Investigations Team in Colombia, with liaison support in Bogota, to disrupt cartel shipments and money laundering feeding the Pacific narco route. Tourism demand under pressure: Asia’s summer travel outlook is getting hit by fuel and energy costs tied to Middle East disruptions, with airlines among the most exposed. Thailand tightening entry rules: Thailand will scrap its 60-day visa exemption for 93 countries and cut the remaining 30-day list from 57 to 54, aiming to reduce misuse and simplify overlapping schemes. China smart tourism push: Beijing will host a global smart travel summit in June, while museum visits are shifting toward immersive, book-and-go experiences as bookings surge. Japan visitor experience tweaks: Paid “line-skipping” restaurant services are spreading in Tokyo to help tourists save time, and foreign overnight stays in big cities are softening even as travel spreads outward. Travel disruption fallout: More travellers are reporting last-minute cancellations as an Australian tour company’s trips are pulled or “under review.” Culture & travel wins: “Taiwan Travelogue” takes the 2026 International Booker Prize, adding fresh spotlight to Taiwan’s story-driven tourism appeal.