In celebration of the year-end season, Saha District in Busan Metropolitan City will transform three locations—Buneccia at Jangnim Port, Gamcheon Culture Village, and Goejeong Hoewhwa-namu Saemteo Park—into a “Street of Hopeful Lights.” The light festival is scheduled to run for approximately 90 days, from December 1 to February 28 next year.
LED lights reflecting the unique charm of Saha District will be installed to spread a hopeful atmosphere throughout the entire district, presenting a special winter festival where both residents and visitors can enjoy the lights together.
At Buneccia in Jangnim Port, the Rainbow Bridge, the shimmering waters of Jangnim Harbor, and the promenade along the port will be utilized to create a dazzling and romantic light street. In Gamcheon Culture Village, various key photo zones, murals, and even the floors throughout the alleys will be used to produce a diverse array of lights. Finally, at Goejeong Hoewhwa-namu Saemteo Park, centered on The Little Prince-themed content, fantastical thematic displays will be added to provide visitors with a special experience as if they are strolling through a fairytale world.
This light street festival goes beyond simply enjoying beautiful scenery, offering an opportunity for families, couples, and friends to create memories and fully embrace the winter spirit of Saha District. Amid the warm glow and splendid illuminations, visitors can momentarily forget the hustle of daily life, experience the various photo zones and thematic displays prepared by Saha District, and look forward to a special and memorable time this winter.
Lorong Seni @ Lorong Panglima is a vibrant alleyway in Ipoh’s historic district that showcases local art and culture. To promote traditional art, handicraft, and music while boosting Ipoh’s status as a cultural tourist destination, this unique attraction was officially opened on 23rd July 2022 by the Ipoh City Council.
The location becomes a bustling marketplace where local craftspeople and merchants set up booths every Saturday from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm. Stop by the booths selling authentic Ipoh souvenirs, traditional clothing, musical instruments, and handicrafts. Tourists may take home a memorable memento of their experience with each product that showcases the local creativity.
Murals, artwork, and cultural exhibits surround the alley, transforming it into a beautiful outdoor gallery. As a performance venue, it also allows local artists and musicians to present their work and perform live music. Locals and tourists alike are drawn to the vibrant images, traditional crafts, and lively noises that create an inviting ambiance.
Symbolic of communal pride and cultural preservation, Lorong Seni @ Lorong Panglima goes beyond being an ordinary tourist attraction. It preserves Ipoh’s historic beauty while boosting the city’s creative economy by providing a venue for artists and small business owners to showcase their wares. Its prime location along the famous Concubine Lane has made it an absolute must-visit for history buffs and anybody else interested in the old town’s splendour.
Lorong Seni @ Lorong Panglima portrays Ipoh, as a city where tradition and creativity intertwine and where every corner has a tradition to be remembered, with its combination of history, artistry, and local character. In addition to protect cultural heritage, this initiative encourages the next generation to value and continue old crafts in contemporary ways. The alleyway’s beautiful paintings and vibrant ambiance have made it a popular location for photography, particularly among social media users who help promote this little-known treasure.
When people think of Yogyakarta, they often imagine history temples and iconic streets. But beyond these famous spots, Yogyakarta hides authentic experiences in its traditional markets called “Pasar”, In the context of “Pasar”refers to a vibrant traditional market where visitors can find not only raw ingredients and household goods but also a wide variety of local and traditional foods.
More than just a place to shop, it’s a hub of culinary culture, offering authentic tastes and a lively atmosphere that reflects the daily life and food traditions of the community. If you’re a food lover or a cultural explorer, include Culinary Pasar Kranggan, Pasar Ngasem, and Pasar Condronegaran in your travel list. These markets are more than places to eat they reflect Yogyakarta’s rich culture, warm community, and unforgettable flavors.
Culinary Pasar Kranggan a Flavorful Journey from Local Traditions to Global Inspirations
Start your journey at Pasar Kranggan, near Tugu Yogyakarta, a lively market open from 5 AM till night. Enjoy local dishes like pecel sayur (vegetables with peanut sauce), lontong opor (rice cakes in coconut chicken curry), and jenang sumsum (sweet rice flour porridge).
Discover snacks like a pem (soft and sweet rice flour cake) often served at Javanese ceremonies, and herbal drinks like jamu. The upstairs food court blends tradition and modernity with Sate Klatak, Soto Tangkar, Roti Jala, Korean BBQ, and desserts. Pasar Kranggan is a flavorful start to your global foods adventure.
Culinary Pasar Ngasem the Royal Taste Near the Palace
Next, make your way to Pasar Ngasem, located just a stone’s throw from the Kraton Yogyakarta is the Sultan’s Palace. Head to Pasar Ngasem near the Kraton Yogyakarta, a peaceful market rooted in royal tradition. Enjoy local dishes like gudeg is young jackfruit stew, brongkos is spiced beef stew, klepon is sweet rice cake balls with palm sugar, jadah tempe is sticky rice with fermented soybeans, and geblek is crispy cassava crackers. Surrounded by history, it’s perfect for savoring traditional flavors while exploring nearby Taman Sari or the charming old lanes for a cultural experience.
Culinary Pasar Condronegaran the Street Food with Heart
Looking for hidden gems? Pasar Condronegaran is a quiet local market with heartwarming street food like jenang sumsum, tahu gimbal, and sate kere – all simple, comforting dishes loved by locals. At night, the market lights up with angkringan carts serving nasi kucing is a small rice with some kind of fish or tempe with a small portion and wedang jahe. Locals gather to relax, chat, and enjoy the moment. It’s a great place to experience daily life in Yogyakarta beyond the tourist paths.
Why Visit These Markets?
Pasar Kranggan, Ngasem, and Condronegaran show different sides of Yogyakarta its energy, heritage, and heart. Whether you’re starting your day, exploring palace culture, or enjoying evening snacks, these markets connect you to the city’s soul.
To truly taste Yogyakarta, skip the usual route.
Start at the market where every bite tells a story.
The Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities (TPO) successfully concluded two major talent development programs in October, reinforcing its commitment to building a sustainable tourism workforce.
K-CLIP Welcomes Record Participation
TPO announced that the Korean Culture & Language Immersion Program (K-CLIP) was successfully completed across four Korean cities, Andong, Mungyeong, Daegu, and Busan from October 19 to 29, 2025. The program welcomed 29 young participants from 22 cities across 10 countries and regions, including Australia, China, and Malaysia.
K-CLIP 2025 achieved record-breaking interest with 225 applications from 93 cities across 19 countries, the highest since its launch in 2009. Over 11 days, participants engaged in traditional cultural activities, visited UNESCO World Heritage sites, explored cultural heritage, and experienced modern tourism attractions. The program culminated in group marketing presentations where participants showcased innovative tourism promotion strategies.
Lasting Impact Through Education and Networking
Participants also attended several sessions of the Global City Tourism Summit, broadening their perspectives on global tourism trends. This integrated approach resulted in an exceptional satisfaction rating of 4.7 out of 5.
One participant captured the program’s impact: “I truly learned a lot throughout the whole K-CLIP program, and I never expected that through this trip, I would meet my dearest Korean friend”a reflection of K-CLIP’s dual achievement in education and cross-cultural networking.
Following the program, select graduates were appointed as TPO Supporters for a three-month to create media content promoting TPO member cities on TPO’s official YouTube channel. (https://youtube.com/@tposecretariat7984?si=AszUAG-bTPmriFLi)
Capacity Building Program Explores Workation Models
During the same period, the Capacity Building Program was held in Busan from October 27 to 30, 2025. Themed “Coexistence of Work and Travel: New Lifestyles Created by Workation”, Busan’s tourism policy combining work and vacation, the program brought together 14 government officials from 9 cities across five countries.
The program consisted of workation center visits, case study discussions, site inspections, and policy exchange sessions. Participants toured Busan’s workation center, experiencing the city’s public workation model with high-quality facilities and strong connectivity. They attended thematic sessions at the first Global City Tourism Summit and visited Busan’s tourist destinations, including the beach train, local coffee streets, and media art museums. These activities provided valuable benchmarking opportunities, demonstrating how tourism infrastructure can serve both leisure travelers and remote workers.
Expanding Global Tourism Collaboration
Building on this year’s success, TPO plans to continue both programs in 2026 and is currently accepting applications from member cities interested in hosting CLIP and other tourism promotion programs.
“K-CLIP and the Capacity Building Program demonstrate TPO’s role in cultivating future tourism talent and leading cooperation among member cities,” said Kang Da-eun, Secretary-General of TPO. “We remain committed to advancing sustainable tourism development and global talent cultivation.”
Through these programs, TPO continues to strengthen tourism workforce development and building on this year’s success, TPO plans to continue CLIP programs in 2026 and is currently accepting applications from member cities interested in hosting the 2026 CLIP program until December 12. Interested cities can submit applications via email to jaseo@aptpo.org.
Ministry of Tourism and Sports: Efforts to Enhance Tourism Capacity
In 2024, Kazakhstan welcomed around 15 million foreign visitors, of whom approximately 1.3 million stayed accommodation facilities such as hotels.
The Kazakh government’s tourism development roadmap projects that by 2030, the number of overnight tourists will exceed 4 million, more than triple the current figure. To achieve this, the plan includes expanding the currently insufficient accommodation facilities and improving transport accessibility.
The Kazakh government has identified an annual shortage of approximately 15,000 skilled professionals in the tourism industry. To address this gap, a presidential decree established the International Tourism Hotel University in Turkistan. The university offers a curriculum composed of over 60% on-site internships to provide practical training. Furthermore, Kazakh Tourism (NTO) has launched and operates an online academy to strengthen the expertise of tourism sector workers, actively supporting professional development across the industry.
The City of Almaty won the ‘Tourism Innovation and Urban Transformation’ prize in an International Forum
The Almaty Tourism Bureau received the Award for Tourism Innovation and Urban Transformation at the Global Tourism Forum held on October 21 in Brussels, Belgium. The award recognizes Almaty as a model of sustainable tourism development and innovative urban planning in Central Asia. The city’s achievements include introducing innovative solutions to improve tourist experiences and developing urban infrastructure with sustainability at its core.
This historical city, located at the foothills of the Ili Alatau mountains, was highly recognized internationally for attracting domestic and foreign tourists through projects such as developing transportation systems and eco-friendly parks, and restoring historical sites, all while preserving the surrounding natural scenery. This, in turn, has enhanced the city’s accessibility and improved the living environment for its residents.
Kazakh Tourism targets Japanese Tourism Market
Kazakh Tourism co-hosted a trip with Air Astana for 10 major Japanese outbound travel agencies to visit sites like Shymbulak Ski Resort, Kolsay Lake, and Charyn Canyon, and also explored Mangystau region’s coastal tourism resources. Furthermore, Kazakh Tourism organized B2B meetings with local inbound travel agencies, actively encouraging the development of diverse Kazakhstan travel packages targeting Japanese tourists.
In September, Kazakhstan actively advanced tourism exchanges with Japan by hosting major B2B travel marts in Osaka and Tokyo. These events were part of preparations for the launch of the first direct flight route to Japan scheduled for next year, aiming to boost bilateral tourism and cooperation.
Meanwhile, from January to September 2025, the number of Japanese tourists visiting Kazakhstan totaled 9,178, representing a 20% increase compared to the same period last year.
Kazakhstan-Thailand Tourism Exchange Expected to Increase
Kazakh Tourism (NTO) expects increased tourism exchange between Kazakhstan and Thailand with the launch of a new direct flight route. Starting December 1, 2025, Thai AirAsia X, Thailand’s largest low-cost carrier, will operate the Bangkok-Almaty route four times weekly. Strengthened collaboration and the visa-waiver agreement allowing a maximum stay of 30 days are anticipated to accelerate growth in Thai tourist arrivals.
As of 2024, more than 5,500 Thai tourists visited Kazakhstan, with more than 4,200 staying overnight visitors.
Kazakhstan-Armenia: Free Entry/Exit with National ID Cards
Citizens of Kazakhstan and Armenia can now travel freely between the two countries using only their national ID cards. Previously, visa-free travel was allowed for up to 30 days, with police registration required thereafter. Now, they can stay for up to 90 days without a visa or registration using their national ID cards. Stays longer than 90 days are possible with a temporary residence permit. This change is expected to significantly increase the number of Kazakhstani visitors to Armenia.
Sourced: KTO (Korean Tourism Organization) Data Lab – Tourism Market Trends in Kazakhstan (October 2025)
Tourism Scope 