Urban exploration in Asia: Can cities drive foreign arrivals in 2026?

One of the key trends many travel professionals are keeping an eye on this year is that of urban exploration (urbex), particularly throughout Asia.

Especially in major capitals like Tokyo, Seoul, and Bangkok, that isn’t surprising: cities offer a little of everything that a country can present to foreign travellers in the way of cultural experiences, dining, retail, and even adventure.

Likewise, popular culture has done its part in romanticising urban destinations, particularly in written fiction, film, and television; viewers find themselves drawn to city lights, the excitement they promise, as well as the slight frisson of peril involved in exploring new locations.

This feature takes a look at the urban exploration trend in Asia and how it may spin out throughout this year.

An aerial view of downtown Melaka

But first: a caveat

This is not to say, of course, that Asian nations should freely embrace urbex visitors without qualms.

On the contrary, urban tourism also poses several challenges that local governments need to take into consideration prior to going all-out on tourism promotion.

Overtourism is one such issue and one that bears down hard on the resources available within a city.

Over the years, we have seen how Japan in particular has struggled with the boom in tourist numbers following the pandemic and how these have caused stress for locals in the form of surging prices of basic commodities, transportation and traffic issues, as well as ill-advised behaviour on the part of visitors in sacred places or areas of historical relevance.

Unpreparedness is another, especially in developing nations like the Philippines whose basic tourism infrastructure is in sore need of improvement (if not outright total replacement) or Cambodia which continues to reel from the effects of armed conflict.

Likewise, overall safety and security remain a major concern, particularly for women and visitors belonging to ethnic or racial minorities.

In light of the BIMP-EAGA drive towards quality tourism, particularly within ASEAN, before the end of the decade, it has become imperative for countries to address glaring issues well before they present their urban centres as desirable destinations.

Urban art in the streets of Ho Chi Minh City

Countries to keep an eye on in 2026

• Thailand As stated earlier, Bangkok has long drawn in tourists thanks to its dynamic and highly exotic vibe, the plethora of dining options available for all budgets, as well as the richness of its cultural attractions. But Bangkok isn’t the only centre for urban exploration in Thailand: the northern hub that is Chiang Mai offers a more laid-back approach to city tourism, while locations like Pattaya and Phuket add a splash of tropical fun to the mix to draw in tourists;
• Malaysia While most travellers into the Pan-Malayan Peninsula are more drawn to Malaysia’s neighbour Singapore, it’s no secret that Kuala Lumpur’s popularity has grown by leaps and bounds since the pandemic era. But KL had better watch its back: UNESCO-recognised Melaka draws in tourists on the strength of its cultural preservation and immersive attractions like the Encore Melaka performances, while Penang and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah are breaking ground as regional venues of choice for MICE;
• Singapore The bustling urban hub of Southeast Asia continues to regale travellers with innovations at every turn. The impending opening of Terminal 5 at Changi International Airport is timely, given how the country is bracing itself to welcome between 17.5 and 20 million foreign travellers this year, drawn in by the promise of world-class events featuring top artists;
• Vietnam Vietnam continues to shine as the cultural hub for urban explorers in Southeast Asia, thanks to the wealth of museums, heritage sites, and historical locations in its chief cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Likewise, places like Da Nang, Hue, and Sapa are gaining ground for their equally vibrant urban offerings; and
• Indonesia The tropical paradise that is Bali may remain the biggest draw for foreign visitors to Indonesia, but its capital Jakarta has been steadily building its own following in the years after COVID-19 hit. The ad campaign Enjoy More, Enjoy Jakarta is seen to have been a driving factor in this, encouraging foreign guests to experience for themselves the melting pot that is the Indonesian capital.

The Bund glitters as night descends upon Shanghai

How cities can make the most of urban exploration

Moving forward, we offer several points to ponder as to how cities can capitalise on urbex tourism without compromising comfort for their citizens, and even drive visitor numbers higher.

Such measures need to include:

• Establishing a proper legal and ethical framework for urban tourism Right at the onset, city governments need to make visitors aware of local laws and customs to prevent untoward incidents. This is something that has become glaringly important in light of the rowdy behaviour of tourists in Bali, or westerners desecrating sacred sites in Japan, as well as North American tourists behaving or dressing inappropriately at places of worship in Europe and India. It also means that travellers need to hold up their end of the bargain by reading up on laws and customs before their trips to prevent misunderstandings and ensure that they are not showing disrespect to local communities;
• MICE matters The ability to host business events as well as large-scale entertainment spectacles like concerts is one factor that has driven travellers to cities like Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City. Keeping major venues in good repair and ensuring that these are equipped with everything event organisers need to pull off a successful function are plus points for any city seeking to make itself more visible on the map;
• Get communities involved and give citizens ownership of key initiatives Especially where cultural tourism is concerned, local communities should have a say as to how their areas may be best presented to travellers. This involves coordination between national authorities, local governments, and community leaders or experts with regard to curated approaches to local tours. The one-town one-product retail tourism approach also enables citizens to share their specialities or handiwork with foreign visitors, enabling them to get a better understanding of a place and its people through food and craftwork; and 
• Private-public partnerships are key To push the matter further, cooperation needs to occur between the government and private sector entities in order to present urban destinations in the best light.

All photos: Marga Manlapig