Asia Unmasked

Travel & Tourism news, views, and reviews. A closer look at developments in sustainable and eco-friendly travel across Southeast Asia and beyond

About Me
Asia Unmasked

Explore Articles and Get Inside Information for Your Next Vacation

Latest South East Asia tourism news, events, and stories. From culture to cuisine, nature to nightlife, gain insights for your next adventure. Must see destinations and must stay accommodation. Helpful updates and articles to help you plan your perfect trip.

Raja Ampat archipelago UNESCO biosphere reserve showing pristine coral reefs and limestone islands in Indonesia
Eco-tourism

Raja Ampat’s UNESCO Status Changes the Game for Sustainable Diving in Southeast Asia

Indonesia’s coral capital joins 26 new biosphere reserves. What this means for divers seeking authentic conservation experiences where their money actually protects marine ecosystems UNESCO just handed Indonesia’s Raja Ampat archipelago a designation that matters. The 52,000-square-mile area – home to over 75% of Earth’s known coral species – is now officially recognised as a

Read More »
October 21, 2025
The "Thailand Good Travel" mark is a new standard benchmarked against Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria that the government hopes will propel the country into the world's Top 100 sustainable destinations.
News

Thailand Launches “Good Travel” Mark as Nation Targets Top 100 Global Sustainability Ranking

Ambitious 2030 roadmap positions Thailand as sustainable tourism leader whilst new certification standard aims to reshape Southeast Asian travel industry The Thailand Good Travel mark combines traditional Thai symbolism with international sustainability standards Thailand has just declared war on greenwashing! The Department of Tourism unveiled its Thailand Green Tourism Plan 2030 this week, launching a

Read More »
October 5, 2025
View from a mountain top showing Lake Toba at sunrise
Eco-tourism

Concerned About Over-Tourism in Bali. These Spectacular Indonesian Alternatives Will Change Your Mind – What the BBC Forgot to Tell You

Discover pristine islands, ancient cultures, and world-class diving beyond the crowds Bali welcomed a staggering 6.3 million international visitors in 2024—nearly double its local population of 4.2 million. The BBC’s recent investigation revealed the stark consequences: beaches littered with plastic waste, traffic gridlock, and tourists posting “expectations vs reality” disappointments on social media. The tragic

Read More »
September 29, 2025
Côn Đảo National Park marine conservation area, newly recognised by IUCN Green List for exceptional environmental standards
Eco-tourism

Côn Đảo National Park Joins Elite IUCN Green List: Another String in the Bow Vietnam’s Sustainable Tourism

How international recognition validates Vietnam’s conservation approach and opens new opportunities for sustainable tourism and conscious travellers Côn Đảo National Park marine conservation area, newly recognised by IUCN Green List for exceptional environmental standards Over 90 protected areas worldwide currently hold IUCN Green List certification – a recognition so rigorous that sites undergo comprehensive evaluation

Read More »
September 27, 2025
Elephants single-file marching through water amongst a jungle setting
Conservation

Why Thailand’s Elephants Are Finally Getting the Respect They Deserve

Discover Thailand’s best ethical elephant sanctuaries where rescued elephants roam freely. A complete guide to responsible elephant tourism experiences that support conservation. The morning mist clings to forested hills as a magnificent Asian elephant wades into a natural pool, her trunk gracefully scooping water over weathered skin. She chooses when to bathe, where to walk,

Read More »
September 26, 2025
the sun sets behind a dramatic mountainous backdrop with two hot air balloons silhouetted against a golden sky
News

How New Green Financing Is Transforming Travel in Laos

Why this TUI-backed programme could reshape responsible tourism in Laos Laos has always held something special for me – genuine hospitality, preserved culture, and landscapes that take your breath away. It also provides amazing value. Having visited many times over the last two decades, I’ve watched this country maintain its authentic character while neighbours grappled

Read More »
September 22, 2025
image shows the Handara Gate at Buleleng, Bali set against blue skies
News

Bali Introduces Mandatory All Indonesia Declaration Card: Know Before You Go!

From September 2025, all visitors to Indonesia’s most popular destination must complete a new digital entry form within 72 hours of arrival – here’s everything you need to know to avoid delays at immigration. Planning your next escape to Bali? There’s a crucial new requirement you must complete before boarding your flight. From 1st September

Read More »
September 15, 2025
Vietnamese fishing families working as coral reef guardians in Co To Special Zone, demonstrating sustainable marine tourism practices
Eco-tourism

How Vietnam’s Coastal Communities Became Marine Conservation Leaders

Where fishing families protect coral reefs and your sustainable travel directly supports marine restoration across Southeast Asia. Discover how Vietnam’s sustainable marine tourism transforms fishing villages into coral guardians. Experience travel that directly supports ocean conservation in Co To and Nha Trang Bay. Local fishing communities in Co To have transformed from traditional fishers to

Read More »
September 14, 2025
traveller board the overnight train at Bangkok's Aphiwat Central Station
Eco-tourism

How Tripchaining is Changing Southeast Asian Travel for the Better

The sustainable travel approach that’s turning one flight into endless adventures Standing patiently on the platform at Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station feeling rather apathetic about the journey that lay ahead of me, I watched families bundle themselves and their belongings chaotically onto the overnight train to Vientiane, when a penny dropped. Here were travellers

Read More »
September 7, 2025
image of a hiking trail through a dense Malaysian jungle setting with sunlight catching the fauna through the forest canopy
Destinations

How Southeast Asia’s Safest Country Is Leading the Sustainable Adventure Tourism Movement

Malaysia claims nine of Southeast Asia’s top ten hiking trails whilst pioneering eco-friendly adventure tourism that benefits local communities Malaysia has emerged as Southeast Asia’s unexpected champion of sustainable hiking tourism, claiming nine of the ten best hiking trails in the region and recently being named the safest country in Asia for travellers seeking peace

Read More »
September 6, 2025
Eco-tourism

From Banana Pancake Trails to Bamboo Villas: How Southeast Asia Mastered Sustainable Luxury Tourism

The journey from backpacker guesthouses to eco-luxury resorts shows how a region transformed tourism whilst learning to balance profits with environmental preservation I still remember my first glimpse of Phuket in the early 2000s. Even then, it felt crowded compared to what my Thai friend described from the 1980s – endless stretches of genuinely deserted

Read More »
August 30, 2025
Luxurious interior of The Blue Jasmine train featuring comfortable double bed and expansive windows showcasing Thailand's scenic landscapes
News

The Blue Jasmine Brings Conscious Luxury to Thai Rail Travel

Thailand’s tourism has been evolving for years, but nothing quite prepared me for what’s arriving this November. The Blue Jasmine represents everything I look for in conscious luxury travel—a train journey so exclusive it carries just 37 passengers, yet so thoughtfully designed it feels like discovering Thailand’s soul rather than simply crossing its landscape. This

Read More »
August 27, 2025
Load More
Scroll to Top