Tourism Tax Debate (UK): England’s mayors are weighing a new visitor levy, with supporters saying it can fund sustainability and critics warning it could hit hospitality and raise costs for travelers. Dubai Scam Alert: Dubai’s Global Village warned residents to buy VIP packs only via official channels after fake websites and social media accounts were flagged by Dubai Police. Travel Disruption (Italy): Mount Etna’s renewed eruption has repeatedly grounded flights at Catania Airport, cancelling or diverting services for days. New Mandatory Insurance (Tanzania): Foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania must buy inbound travel insurance for $44 (up to 92 days), with Zanzibar using a separate insurer. Tourism Funding Fight (Uganda): Uganda’s opposition FDC says tourism is held back by weak financing and infrastructure, calling for more support for the tourism ministry and agencies. Hotel Investment (Asia-Pacific): CBRE reports Asia-Pacific hotel investment jumped in H1 2026 as demand and room rates improve, led by Japan, mainland China and South Korea. Philippines Airport Focus: A Senate hearing urged the Department of Tourism to prioritize airport accessibility and competitiveness beyond promotion. Tourism Recognition (Belize): Belize was named Central America’s #2 best mountain destination, spotlighting inland jungle and hiking over the coast. Tourism Tech Push (GCC): GCC-Stat says 20M+ tourists traveled within the region in 2025, with growth tied to smarter, data-driven tourism. Nepal Resilience Reminder: After the Bhotekoshi flash flood, Nepal’s tourism slowdown highlights the need for resilient systems to protect jobs and arrivals.