AGP Executive Report

Hotel costs & policy: Dublin City Council’s plan to double the development levy for new hotels, hostels and aparthotels (starting 1 July) has drawn fire from the Irish Hotels Federation, which warns it could stall projects and worsen a looming hotel-bedroom shortfall. New routes: Caribbean Airlines will add daily non-stop Toronto–Guyana service from July 1, with fares starting around CAD$595 one-way. Tourism diplomacy: Egypt’s tourism minister met Serbia’s PM during a visit, discussing more Serbian arrivals and a possible Cairo–Belgrade direct flight, plus FITVEN participation. Japan access upgrade: Hakuba, Nagano is building a new bus-terminal hub to handle surging ski-season arrivals. Travel safety: The U.S. Embassy in Nassau urged Americans to avoid renting jet skis after injuries and sexual-assault allegations tied to rogue operators. On-the-ground travel: A 23-year-old British tourist was found dead off Portugal’s Peneco Beach after going missing while swimming. Local tourism boosts: Windsor launched a hotel-tax-funded wave of free summer/fall events, while Lapu-Lapu City opened Tourism Expo 2026 to spotlight local hospitality.

Oman Capacity Boost: Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority says more than 520,000 seats will be added for Dhofar’s Khareef 2026 season (June 21–Sept 21), with Oman Air and SalamAir ramping up daily flights to meet rising demand. Cape Town Economy Split: Cape Town tourism hit R24.5bn in 2025 as record foreign spend offset a domestic slump, with foreign visitors spending more per day even as locals stayed shorter. Malaysia Domestic Travel Up: Malaysia reported domestic tourist visits rose 11.5% in 2025 to 290.1 million, while domestic visitor spending climbed 13.6% to RM121.3bn. Health Tourism Push (Caribbean): Santiago launched a Health Tourism Alliance to link hospitals, universities and tourism partners, aiming to strengthen the city’s position as a Caribbean medical hub. Cruise Business Move: Puerto Plata will host the PAMAC Cruise Summit 2026, bringing senior cruise executives to shape shore excursions and port plans. EU Passenger Rights: Cyprus helped steer an updated EU air passenger rights deal, improving compensation rules, transparency on ticket pricing and protections for families and passengers with reduced mobility. Wellness in Cebu: NUSTAR Resort Cebu unveiled “In Full Balance,” a wellness platform built around movement, mindful living and community events. Travel Tech & AI: India’s travel tech is entering an AI-led growth phase, with online travel penetration expected to keep rising and the online travel market projected to reach Rs 3.8 trillion by FY28. Airline/Travel Safety: Virginia kicked off a “100 Safest Days of Summer” campaign to curb speeding, distraction and impaired driving as tourist traffic peaks. New Resort Opening: Rixos Hotels Egypt opened Rixos Premium Magawish Bay View on the Red Sea, adding 442 rooms and direct beach access near Hurghada airport.

Air Passenger Rights Update: EU lawmakers struck a deal to modernize air passenger rights after a 13-year deadlock, keeping compensation for delays while tightening claims, fare transparency, and protections for families and reduced-mobility travelers. Tourism Growth & Travel Demand: Beijing ports topped 10 million cross-border trips, with foreign arrivals up sharply, signaling continued opening-up and rising inbound interest. New Routes & Connectivity: Dhaka–Narita flights resume July 27 as Biman Bangladesh Airlines restarts Bangladesh’s only non-stop Japan link; airBaltic and EL AL added a codeshare from July 1 to boost Israel–Europe connections via Riga. Destination Pushes: Goa targets new international markets (Poland, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan) to grow longer stays and inbound arrivals; Sri Lanka launches a major tourism push in China. On-the-Ground Tourism Business: Experience Fayetteville unveiled its first public marketing and sales plan to drive visitation and support local businesses. Hotel & Investment Signals: JLL says luxury hotels look “compelling” for investment as ultra-luxury performance stays resilient. Caution Flags: Germany’s incoming agencies warn of a 25–30% drop in German tourists due to insufficient flight capacity. Tourism Policy & Paperwork: Vietnam adds health checks from July 1 as tourism booms and airport queues strain. Cruise/Experiences: Hudson’s Chapter2Books and Ted Blank Luxury plan a two-week transatlantic literature cruise starting Nov. 30, 2027.

Tourism Policy & Transport: South Korea’s Korea Tourism Organisation will cut express and intercity bus fares for foreign visitors—5,000 won off per person for 8,000 travellers for a month—to push tourism beyond Seoul. Regional Connectivity: Thailand’s CAAT-backed Bangkok–Kuching direct route is set to launch in October, boosting Malaysia–Thailand travel links for Sarawak and Sabah. Safety & Travel Advisories: The UK Foreign Office warns against all but essential travel to Bolivia’s La Paz Department and parts of Cochabamba after weeks of protests and road blockades. Infrastructure for Tourism: India’s Zojila Tunnel excavation is complete, aiming to slash Sonamarg–Minamarg travel time from nearly two hours to about 30 minutes and improve safety in the Himalayas. Hospitality & Experiences: Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort touts major international guest-review and travel awards; Unforgettable Croatia rolls out Starlink WiFi across its fleet. Tourism Growth Signals: Zimbabwe reports a 11% rise in tourist arrivals, with China leading Asian growth. Industry & Events Funding: Northern Ireland announces £325,000 for six tourism events, including North West 200 and Stendhal Festival. Travel Costs Watch: Japan’s expanding accommodation tax could hit Korean visitors’ wallets as more local governments adopt the levy.

World Tourism Outlook: UN Tourism says international arrivals rose 2% to 307M in Q1 2026, but growth slowed to 0.4% in March as Middle East conflict, higher airfares and reduced capacity weighed on demand. Croatia Soft Power: Croatia is rolling out a new U.S. tourism push with Hollywood actor John Malkovich ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026, banking on sport to lift global visibility. Payments for Travelers: India’s UPI is set to expand to Paris and Nice airports, aiming to make airport spending easier for Indian visitors. Tourism Growth Watch: Zimbabwe reports Victoria Falls Rainforest arrivals up from 60,000+ in Q1 2025 to 64,000+ in Q1 2026. Destination Marketing: Dominica names Wendy Lake as Destination Marketing Manager to boost nature, wellness and adventure travel. Travel Disruption & Planning: Panama’s Tocumen Airport expects 544,000 extra World Cup-linked passengers, with busiest days June 14–16 and longer lines likely. Local Tourism Pressure: In Kashmir, the National Conference warns prolonged restrictions are hurting tourism livelihoods and limiting visitor access. Sustainable Tourism Spotlight: Langkawi’s UNESCO Global Geopark status continues to guide conservation and community-led geotourism.

Aviation & Connectivity: Cambodia is getting a boost for long-term growth as the U.S.-Cambodia Open Skies Agreement is signed and Techo International Airport development continues, signaling stronger global links for travelers and investors. Tourism Policy & Borders: WTTC warns Europe’s new Entry/Exit System could trigger major border delays, putting up to 41 million arrivals and about $45bn in tourism spending at risk. Cruise & Caribbean: Puerto Rico hit a new high with 1,827,010 cruise passengers in May 2026, topping its 2019 record and underlining the island’s cruise momentum. Destination Development: Ho Chi Minh City launched a Waterway Tourism Society to coordinate Saigon River tourism, improve services, and push greener, safer boat experiences. Travel Deals & Planning: Emirates is reportedly working on a Dubai travel insurance product for international passengers, while Etihad already announced complimentary medical coverage for Abu Dhabi visits. Regional Travel Growth: Bodrum’s summer season is bringing heavy yacht congestion, with private vessels limiting access for sightseeing boats. Family Travel: Royal Caribbean welcomed Legend of the Seas to the Icon Class lineup, set for a July 2026 European debut. On-the-Ground Tourism: Philippine Airlines delayed its Saipan return flights until October as the territory continues recovering from a major typhoon.

Tourism Policy & Housing: Sydney’s Waverley Council is weighing a major short-term rental crackdown on Bondi-area holiday lets, proposing to cut non-hosted rental days from 180 to 90 and push for a 5–7.5% booking levy to fund long-term housing. Airport & Event Travel: Seattle-Tacoma’s expanded Concourse C opens ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026, adding space and new shops/restaurants to handle fan crowds. Air Connectivity: Oman Air and SalamAir add four routes this summer, including Muscat–Singapore and Muscat–Tashkent, plus Dubai–Salalah and new Vienna/Medan services. Regional Infrastructure: Bulgaria’s Black Sea road repairs are set to finish within two weeks, with officials saying July–August disruption should be minimal. Destination Development: Malaysia earmarks RM8 million to upgrade the Sungai Lembing tunnel to boost heritage tourism. Travel Safety & Incidents: A Russian tourist was found dead in a Kasol homestay washroom; police say an autopsy will determine cause. Incentive Travel: Fiji expects $10M from a 430+ North American incentive group visiting resorts via Fiji Airways charters. US Travel Rules: A judge orders the National Park Service to restore removed educational exhibits, halting further censorship while litigation continues.

Coastal Tourism Push (Oman): Duqm’s SEZAD is advancing a waterfront coastal tourism master plan under Oman Vision 2040, including a 16-kilometre promenade, marina, hotels/resorts, eco-attractions, and targets of 200,000+ annual visitors by 2030. Public Health & Travel (Uganda/Ebola): Uganda hit back at “unfair” Ebola-linked travel curbs, warning they could hurt trade and tourism while urging smarter screening instead of sweeping bans. Sports Tourism Demand (US): New Jersey’s Meadowlands stadium events are already driving hotel bookings and boosting expectations for transit, rideshare, and visitor spending. Tourism Growth Strategy (India/UP): Uttar Pradesh is pitching tourism, culture, and heritage infrastructure as a path to major economic gains, shifting from visitor volume to higher-value experiences. Wildlife & Conservation (Albania/Palau): Albania’s “Flamingo Revolution” campaign is fighting a Kushner-backed resort in a protected delta, while Palau reports faster-than-expected recovery after invasive rats were removed from an island. Travel Safety & Nature (Gibraltar): A study finds ship noise in the Strait of Gibraltar is disrupting pilot whale communication, raising new concerns for marine life. Tourism Business (Maldives): InterContinental Maldives promoted a new Director of Spa & Wellness, underscoring the resort’s push toward guest-focused wellness. Visitor Experience (China): WTTC data points to China’s continued tourism expansion, with rising arrivals, spending, and jobs.

Tourism Partnerships: Nepal’s Pokhara, Lumbini, and Bharatpur just signed a “Silver Triangle” pact to bundle adventure, spirituality, and wildlife into one promoted route, with joint fairs, branding, and digital info boards. World Cup Travel Surge: New York is bracing for about 1.2 million visitors as the tournament kicks off, while some locals plan getaways to dodge the crowds. Caribbean Growth Watch: Curaçao reported a 10% jump in May stayover arrivals (65,144 visitors) and a 9% rise year-to-date, with longer stays and strong Netherlands demand. Tourism Policy Under Pressure: Banff unveiled a 4-year strategy focused on “human use management” to handle mounting visitation strain. Cruise Disruptions: An Alaska cruise was forced to change ports after a propulsion issue delayed Holland America’s Zaandam by more than a day. Safety & Costs: Travelers are warned about hidden vacation expenses and “tourist trap” pricing as summer travel ramps up. Visa Crackdown: The U.S. State Department says it revoked 600+ visas tied to “birth tourism” schemes.

UAE Visa Overhaul 2026: Dubai has rolled out major 2026 visa and residency changes, including expanded Golden Visa benefits and new long-term options, signaling a push to make the Emirates easier for tourists and global talent. Malta Tourism Spotlight: WTTC’s Global Summit lands in Valletta on Oct 7–9, with Travel & Tourism forecast to add $4.9B to Malta’s economy in 2026 and support 72,200 jobs. Cuba Tourism Strain: Reuters reports foreign visitors are scarce at Cuba’s once-busy hotspots as sanctions and shortages keep many major travel operators away. World Cup Travel Rules: The U.S. warns foreign influencers that paid content on tourist visas is illegal work, adding friction for some World Cup travel plans. Health & Safety Alerts: UK travelers returning from Cape Verde are linked to 164 shigella cases and 99 salmonella cases, prompting extra precautions. Outdoor & Nature Travel: Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan is being pitched as an eco-conscious destination amid climate pressures around the Aral Sea. Regional Travel Updates: flydubai adds a new daily Dubai–Pokhara route from Sept 23; and a summer bus service returns to connect Enniskillen with the Marble Arch Caves.

World Cup Travel Reality Check: Hours before kickoff, Reuters reports the expected U.S. tourism windfall isn’t showing up—ticket prices are high, flight demand is soft, and hotels have cut revenue forecasts. Visa & Rules Crackdown: U.S. authorities are warning foreign influencers that monetized content on a tourist visa counts as work and can trigger cancellation or deportation. Tech for Travel Identity: WTTC puts biometrics and digital identity at the top of its travel agenda, aiming for safer, smoother journeys. Destination Updates: Air Macau will restart Manila flights July 2 and relaunch Macau–Fukuoka for summer. Local Events: Hokitika’s Midwinter Magic lights up July with Puanga Matariki in New Zealand; Jerash Festival (Jordan) returns July 22–Aug 2 under royal patronage. Travel Safety/Scams: A Rome ice-cream “tourist trap” story is going viral, and Aruba travelers are urged to use only the official ED card site. Tourism Trade: Pattaya hosts Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2026, spotlighting wellness and “healing” tourism.

US Visa Crackdown: The State Department renewed its crackdown on “birth tourism,” saying visitor visas can’t be used for the primary purpose of giving birth in the U.S. to secure citizenship, with consular officers expected to enforce the rule. EU Travel Rules: The UK Foreign Office updated guidance for Spain, warning Scots and other UK travelers about passport “date of issue” checks and new entry steps under the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Tourism Safety: Two people died and several were injured in an early-morning fire in Magaluf, Mallorca, as authorities investigate the cause in the popular British-and-German tourist zone. Overtourism Pressure: A viral traffic jam on Ladakh’s Nubra–Pangong route has reignited calls for limits on vehicle numbers in fragile Himalayan areas. Air Connectivity: Air Serbia plans to add year-round flights to Yerevan and boost frequencies to Tbilisi and Baku. New Routes for Travelers: Singapore Airlines returns to Madrid from Oct. 26, 2026, with five weekly flights via Barcelona. Destination Marketing Tech: Carvertise and Azira say they can measure real-world visits from rideshare ads, citing verified trips and economic impact for Visit Fort Worth. Tourism Trade Push: St. Kitts launched “St. Kitts Your Way” (SKY) to reward travel agents with preferred rates and site inspections across participating properties.

Sustainable Tourism Spotlight: Dubrovnik is using cruise limits, traffic controls, and smarter visitor management to spread crowds more evenly after years of overtourism headlines, with the city getting major BBC exposure. Tourism Dollars in Motion: Paducah, Kentucky, hit a record $326.7M in 2025 visitor spending, supporting 2,435 jobs and boosting local tax revenue. Capacity & Infrastructure: Augusta Regional Airport is expanding TSA security and adding a hangar ahead of major events, while Amtrak unveiled “once-in-a-generation” Penn Station overhaul renderings aimed at easing passenger flow. Deals to Shift Demand: London Bridge Resort launched summer midweek packages and longer-stay offers through October to pull visitors into quieter weekdays. Global Travel Signals: Turks and Caicos posted record Q1 arrivals and is adding hotels and new nonstop routes; Uzbekistan is among the fastest-growing destinations with a 37% jump in early-2026 arrivals. Policy & Safety: The EU warned Albania’s Vjosa-Narta resort plan faces environmental-law scrutiny; the U.S. urged Ebola travel restrictions ahead of the World Cup, and New York hotels were reminded to post human-trafficking hotline info. On-the-Ground Reality: A mosquito swarm in Russia trapped tourists in their cars, and wrong-way driving concerns are rising in Thailand’s Sattahip.

Tourism Policy & Borders: Spain’s ETIAS rules are set to add a new pre-trip step for many visa-free visitors, with strict passport validity and “apply again after renewal” reminders, while the EU’s Entry Exit System is already triggering warnings of long UK-to-Europe border delays. Destination Demand Shifts: Bahrainis are leaning toward nearer, cooler Gulf breaks like Salalah and Saudi highlands as some Europe and East Asia demand softens. Travel Infrastructure & Tech: Bhutan is upgrading Phuentsholing immigration to ease road-entry congestion, and Shiji’s 2026 distribution chart flags the push toward AI discovery and “bookable everywhere” direct booking. Wellness & Hospitality: Sati Spa at InterContinental Phuket Resort wins two Asia honors, and France’s Zannier Île de Bendor opens as a new Mediterranean wellness retreat. Local Governance & Sustainability: Bali’s waste crisis is flagged as a competitiveness risk, and England’s proposed overnight visitor levy faces council pushback. Industry Moves: Qantas launches a major domestic sale, and St Kitts renews discounted hotel rates for UK travel agents. Experiential Travel: China’s industrial tourism is rising, and Andaman divers set a Guinness record with a 73-foot underwater human tower. World Cup Travel Costs: A new analysis highlights how host-city choice can swing World Cup travel budgets dramatically.

Airport & Visas: Portland International Airport topped a new AirHelp Score ranking for best U.S. airports, while Dubai says its single-entry tourist visa (valid 30–60 days) can be processed in as little as 48 working hours once requirements are met. Tourism Deals: Tourism Malaysia and Dorsett Hotels launched a domestic campaign with up to 30% hotel discounts through Dec 31, and Bahrain is bringing back its Summer Toy Festival (2 July–5 Aug 2026) for families. Travel Safety & Security: Police are investigating a severe assault on a Canadian man in Byron Bay; in Albufeira, daylight car break-ins targeted tourists with bags, laptops and passports stolen. Cruise Watch: Carnival Sunrise faces a lawsuit over an alleged onboard sexual assault, and Norwegian passengers are upset after an abrupt itinerary and embarkation change. Local Tourism Economics: Madison, Wisconsin and Dane County reported record tourism spending ($1.6B in Madison; Wisconsin nearly $27B statewide in 2025). What to Do: Glacier National Park’s shuttle/parking system is frustrating visitors, and Airbnb-style inspiration continues with a Harry Potter-themed stay in Arizona plus waterfront rental roundups in Tennessee and New Hampshire.

Israel Tourism Rebound: Israel says it’s gradually and safely reopening borders, cultural sites and major pilgrimage areas for international visitors, with phased protocols and renewed operations at key heritage spots plus beach access. World Cup Travel Pressure: Toronto hotels are bracing for “uneven” June bookings as the city hosts World Cup matches, with demand dampened by pricing and FIFA room cancellations. Beach Rules Hit Holiday Plans: Antalya, Turkey, has introduced a new smoking ban on select beaches, with fines reported around £28. Safety Closures: Greece’s famed Navagio Beach (Zakynthos) will close all summer until Oct. 31 due to landslide risk. New Routes & Tech: Riyadh Air opened bookings for its first flights (Riyadh–London Heathrow on June 10) and Visit Qatar signed MoUs with Fliggy and Huawei to roll out AI travel tools for Chinese visitors. Tourism Growth Watch: Japan’s GCC visitor arrivals surged in 2025, and Zimbabwe reported double-digit Q1 gains in arrivals and receipts. Travel Planning Apps: Plany launched in the UAE, pitching an AI, calendar-first way to plan, collaborate and manage trip expenses.