• TravelBizNews > Top News > Asia Pacific reigns in 2021 Henley Passport Index, Top 3 – Japan, Singapore, South Korea

    Asia Pacific reigns in 2021 Henley Passport Index, Top 3 – Japan, Singapore, South Korea

    January 6, 2021
    Top News
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    Asia Pacific reigns in 2021 Henley Passport Index, Top 3 – Japan, Singapore, South Korea

    Travel Biz News —

    Japan continues to hold the number one position for the third consecutive year, with passport holders able to access 191 destinations visa-free.

    Asia Pacific (APAC) dominance of the index – which is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – now seems firmly established.

    According to the latest results from the Henley Passport Index , Singapore is in 2nd position, with access to 190 destinations, and South Korea holds onto 3rd place alongside Germany, with both having a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 189.

    Slightly further down but still in the top 10, New Zealand is in 7th position, with visa-free access to 185 destinations, while Australia is in 8th position, with access to 184 destinations. 

    The latest results from the Henley Passport Index – the original ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa – provide fascinating insights into the future of travel freedom in a world transformed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Over the index’s 16-year history, the top spots were traditionally held by EU countries, the UK, or the US, and experts suggest the APAC region’s position of strength will continue as it includes the first countries to begin the process of pandemic recovery. 

    Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and the inventor of the passport index concept, says with the US and the UK still facing significant challenges related to the virus, the balance of power is shifting.

     “Over the past seven years, the US passport has fallen from the number one spot to 7th place, a position it currently shares with the UK. Due to pandemic-related travel constraints, travelers from both countries currently face major restrictions from over 105 countries, with US passport holders able to travel to fewer than 75 destinations, while UK passport holders currently have access to fewer than 70.” 

    With the first Covid-19 vaccine approved just over a month ago, airline industry experts believe that mandatory vaccination before air travel may soon be a necessity.

     A technological innovation scheduled to launch in Q1 2021 that will contribute to restoring global mobility is IATA’s Travel Pass initiative – a mobile application that enables travelers to store and manage their verified certifications for Covid-19 tests or vaccines. Source :  Henley & Partners

    Jan. 6 , 2021

    Photo compiled : Travel Biz News

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