AGP Executive Report

Storm Disruption: Storm Boelo is bringing high winds and heavy rain across the UK, with rail and ferry changes, cancelled events and warnings to check routes before travelling. Tourism Partnerships: Nepal and India will meet in Chitwan from Oct. 26–28 to connect tourism businesses and promote Nepal’s cultural, nature and adventure destinations to Indian visitors. Global Showcase: China is sending its largest recent delegation to London’s World Travel Market, Nov. 3–5, with more than 200 delegates and 116 tourism organizations showcasing destinations, technology and cultural experiences. Domestic Travel: Kenya’s tourism board is targeting 5.6 million domestic bed nights by 2027, starting with bookable packages for the Northern Kenya circuit. New Attraction: Gujarat’s 600-passenger Ekta Cruise on the Narmada adds river trips, dining and events near the Statue of Unity. Air Routes: British Airways plans more flights to Cincinnati, Las Vegas, San Francisco and St. Louis in summer 2027, expanding service on established US routes.

Greek Tourism: Record arrivals and €22.6 billion in 2025 revenue have strengthened the sector, but a new study warns Greece must manage growth, protect resources and spread benefits beyond crowded destinations. Rail Journeys: Southern Railway has trialled its first Vistadome coach on the Madurai–Guruvayur Express, offering panoramic views along the Sengottai–Punalur Ghat route through January. Destination Spotlight: Penang has earned a place on National Geographic’s Best of the World 2027 list and a spot among Asia’s top 10 meetings cities. Benin is also shortlisted in four Africa Tourism Awards categories, with public voting open until October 29. Market Strategy: Thailand is targeting five Asian markets with wellness, food and cultural campaigns, aiming for 6.2% growth in ASEAN visitor revenue in fiscal 2027; winter bookings from French travellers are up more than 30% despite protests at home. Tourism Risks: Fiji’s InterContinental resort says unreliable water supplies threaten operations and could force guest evacuations, while Greece is promoting Western Macedonia and Karpathos to German travellers to encourage year-round visits.

Travel Disruptions: Sea travel in northern Quezon resumed Friday after authorities lifted a gale warning, while Typhoon Champi caused 977 flight cancellations and suspended ferry sailings in Taiwan. Air Connectivity: Navi Mumbai International Airport added nine domestic destinations, improving links to regional tourism and heritage hubs. Short-Term Rentals: An Irish High Court judge refused to order Airbnb to reinstate a Medellín rental operator’s account, backing the platform’s action over concerns about its ban on sex-tourism listings. Destination Growth: Curaçao welcomed 63,565 stayover visitors in September, up 18% year over year; arrivals from the U.S. rose 20%. Industry Recognition: Benin earned four nominations at the 2026 Africa Tourism Awards, while Indigenous operator Pêmiska Tourism is among Saskatchewan’s national award finalists. Tourism Investment: Cyprus plans to use part of its €59.4 million tourism budget for promotion and product development.

Tourism Leadership: Edo State has elevated former Big Brother Naija housemate Anto Lecky to tourism adviser, while Bob East takes the chair at Tourism Tropical North Queensland. Destination Growth: Visit Herefordshire’s businesses renewed funding for five years, backing plans to grow the county’s visitor economy; Anguilla is also courting UK luxury travel advisers. New Visitor Experiences: Kandooma Maldives now bundles diving, snorkelling, fishing and spa treatments into qualifying stays, while Grand Park Kodhipparu has launched a slower-paced wellbeing retreat. Smart Tourism: Busan startups are using multilingual QR guides at attractions, and South Korea’s tourism agency is showcasing 27 startups in Seoul. Regional Cooperation: Laos and Cambodia adopted a 2026–28 tourism plan, including development of a heritage route linking Vat Phou and Angkor Wat. Travel Access: Thailand has paused a proposed 1,000-baht departure tax, citing risks to tourism, while the EU’s envoy says Türkiye is working on six remaining visa-free travel requirements. Tourism Outlook: Pacific operators report revenue growth but warn that limited flight links could constrain the boom.

Cruise Growth: Great Lakes cruise tourism generated a record $310 million in 2026, with passenger numbers and port visits exceeding forecasts. Screen Tourism: Hong Kong is promoting more than 100 film locations across 50 movies, with themed itineraries linking landmarks, neighbourhoods and local dining. Caribbean Cruises: Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism delegation met with 12 cruise lines at the FCCA conference to pursue growth and wider community benefits. Visitor Economy: Essex welcomed 52 million trips in 2025, with tourism supporting 76,825 jobs and contributing £3.75 billion to the economy. Market Headwinds: Visit Detroit has paused advertising in Canada after a two-year drop in Canadian visitors, citing strained relations between the countries. Heritage Tourism: A 1,900-acre Welsh estate with a hotel, glamping, tunnels and Zip World operations is on the market.

Asia-Pacific Recovery: International arrivals across 44 destinations reached 239 million in early 2026, or 96.3% of 2019 levels, PATA reports. Growth is uneven: Vietnam and South Korea are surging, while Thailand and the US have slipped. Pacific Connectivity: Nearly half of Pacific tourism operators grew revenue last year, but 44% say limited air links are their biggest barrier. Sustainable Tourism: The Malverns ranked 37th in the Global Destination Sustainability Index’s top 40, scoring 74% overall and 82.7% for the environment. Industry Agenda: Travel Weekly’s sixth Sustainability Summit is set for Dec. 2, focusing on the sector’s future and its impact on destinations and communities. Market Concerns: France’s tourism sector fears protests and unrest will deter foreign visitors. Year-Round Growth: Kyrgyzstan’s president called for better infrastructure, service and safety to make tourism a year-round industry.

Destination Marketing: Hong Kong is promoting film tourism with a new guide to more than 100 locations featured in 50 movies, linking screen landmarks with neighbourhoods, culture and dining. Cruise Growth: Labuan’s port authority, corporation and port operator have joined forces to attract more cruise ships and strengthen island tourism. Caribbean Skills: The CTO Scholarship Foundation aims to fund 30 tourism-related scholarships in 2027, with seven governments already pledging support; the organisation will also hold UK agent roadshows next month. Travel Advisories: The US raised its Kenya warning to Level 3, citing security and Ebola concerns, while the WHO urged countries not to impose travel or trade restrictions over Nigeria’s imported case. Tourism Outlook: Türkiye is targeting $70 billion in tourism revenue in 2027. Greece reported a 2.6% rise in August arrivals, while Georgia’s third-quarter travel revenue climbed 11.9%. Festive Demand: Indian travel searches rose nearly 40% ahead of the festive season, with Varanasi emerging as a popular choice.

Climate Readiness: Negros tourism officials urged businesses and local authorities to prepare for a very strong El Niño, warning of drought and water shortages that could disrupt visitor services into 2027. Tourism Targets: Türkiye is seeking $70 billion in tourism revenue in 2027 and a place among the world’s top six earners, backed by a proposed increase in its tourism budget. Changing Stays: Alternative accommodation is becoming a bigger part of India’s travel market, with booking value projected to reach ₹415 billion by FY29. Visitor Experience: South Korea is on track for record arrivals, but complaints about overcharging and poor service are rising. Regional Momentum: Georgia’s international travel revenue rose 11.9% in the third quarter to $1.86 billion. Health Alerts: Ebola concerns have prompted updated travel guidance for Kenya, while Nigeria confirmed an imported case in a traveler from Uganda. Destination Strategy: Sri Lanka’s tourism leaders say fragmented approvals and weak coordination are holding back investment, despite the country’s strong natural and cultural attractions.

Travel Advisories: Taiwan urged visitors to avoid protest sites in France, where violence has brought curfews; the U.S. also raised Kenya’s advisory to Level 3 amid health and security concerns. Air Access: Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will launch nonstop Seattle–Osaka and Seattle–Tahiti flights in 2027, while Ryanair is dropping its Malaga–Brussels route this winter. Tourism Growth: Guyana says 2026 arrivals are running ahead of last year’s record, after a 22% rise in 2025; Namibia’s hotel occupancy reached 66.5% in the third quarter. Industry Push: Ghana’s Inter-Tourism Expo opens in Cape Coast on Wednesday, bringing together more than 300 tourism and hospitality professionals. Visit Qatar will bring 40 partners to WTM London, while Dubai’s award-winning Red-Carpet Corridor promises passenger clearance in under five seconds. Destination Appeal: Tbilisi’s distinctive architecture is helping fuel Georgia’s tourism boom, and new research warns that AI trip recommendations still steer travelers toward the same popular destinations.

Kenya Travel Alert: The U.S. raised its advisory to Level 3, urging Americans to reconsider travel amid Ebola, crime and security risks; several regions face stronger warnings. Cruise Strategy: Royal Caribbean is expanding its Asia focus, with Spectrum of the Seas set to sail more than 70 cruises from Shanghai and Hong Kong in 2026–27, visiting about 20 destinations. Rising Destinations: Busan ranked fifth on Expedia’s 2027 destinations list as searches rose 50%, with the city’s beaches, markets and urban culture drawing attention. Tourism Policy: South Korea is moving its national tourism council to the presidential office and expanding its remit to include jobs, workforce training and MICE. New Connections: Batik Air’s first direct Batam–Penang service aims to boost leisure, business and medical travel in northern Malaysia. Travel Disruptions: Storm Adam flooded Ibiza’s airport and led to 64 flight cancellations, while protests in France prompted fresh travel warnings.

Canada–India Push: Destination Canada, Air Canada and Lufthansa Group have launched a campaign to attract travellers from South India for spring and summer 2027, aiming to turn marketing into bookings and broaden Canada’s visitor markets. Kenya’s Growing Appeal: Air departures from Nairobi to Middle Eastern destinations rose 16% in July and August despite regional conflict. Social media is also drawing more South African interest to Diani, as Kenyan tourism operators look to grow beyond the country’s traditional stopover role. Travel Disruptions: More than 45% of Saudi flight departures have been cancelled since Oct. 8, leaving residents to seek lengthy detours. Governments are also warning travellers in France to avoid demonstrations amid violent unrest. Sydney Airport Opens: Western Sydney International has begun passenger flights, adding a curfew-free alternative that could spur competition on fares and airport services. Tourism Technology: China plans to expand AI use in tourism, including digital and in-person experiences, with pilot projects spanning museums, snow tourism and inbound services.

Travel Disruptions: The UK has advised against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia amid regional tensions and airport attacks; airlines have cancelled or changed some flights, leaving Umrah pilgrims seeking alternative routes. Tourism Earnings: Sri Lanka earned $2.245 billion from tourism in the first nine months of 2026, down from $2.473 billion a year earlier, despite welcoming nearly 1.7 million visitors. Destination Investment: Japanese investors have announced an initial $1.2 billion commitment to Bangladesh’s tourism and hospitality sector, with formal proposals still to come. Visitor Safety: Thailand’s tourism numbers are falling, and a former tourism chief says the sector can no longer carry the economy alone; safety concerns and competition are weighing on recovery. Tourism Promotion: Uganda will sponsor Europe’s Champions Hockey League to promote the country to Swiss travellers. Nature Travel: Birdwatching holidays are gaining ground, with GetYourGuide reporting a 65% year-on-year rise in bookings for birdwatching experiences.

Tourism Investment: Japanese investors have expressed preliminary interest in putting $1.2 billion into Bangladesh’s tourism and hospitality sectors, with officials promising to speed up approvals once proposals are submitted. Cruise Travel: Nearly 800,000 readers voted in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 awards, naming Princess Cruises the top line for megaships. Cultural Tourism: Cordillera’s Festival of Festivals brought traditional dances to Baguio as the region looks to sustain tourism; it generated an estimated 8.87 billion pesos in tourism revenue in 2025. Sustainable Travel: A natural reserve near Buenos Aires is testing regenerative tourism, with more than 600 visitors helping plant native species and clear waste. Travel Health: Tanzania has ordered 21-day monitoring for high-risk arrivals amid Ebola concerns, requiring health declarations and screening at entry points. Caribbean Cruises: St. Kitts is seeking new cruise partnerships after welcoming more than one million cruise passengers during the 2025–26 season.

France Travel Alert: Malaysia advised postponing non-essential trips as demonstrations continue in major French cities; protests have included the torching of Lyon’s tourism office. Tourism Safety: China warned visitors to Thailand about kidnappings linked to fake job offers, urging travelers to use licensed transport and stay alert to route changes. Macao Forum: The Global Tourism Economy Forum opened with a focus on resilience, sustainable growth and a shared future for the sector. Community Tourism: Cordillera’s festival dances are helping sustain tourism amid economic pressure and El Niño concerns; the region reported P8.87 billion in tourism revenue in 2025. In Malaysia’s Perlis, a geoheritage market featuring five geoparks aims to grow sales beyond RM100,000 and create local opportunities. Western Sydney: The region’s new international airport is set to welcome its first passenger next week, offering a fresh platform for tourism growth.

Tourism Investment: Ilocos Norte and the Philippines’ TIEZA plan to rehabilitate Paoay Golf Course as a public-access attraction, with a clubhouse, driving range and mini-golf facility. Sustainable Growth: At a tourism forum in Macao, Malaysia called for growth that protects heritage, supports local livelihoods and benefits communities. Sabah is also urging districts to build distinctive visitor experiences ahead of Visit Sabah Year 2027. Travel Disruptions: Tanzania has introduced health forms and screening for incoming travellers amid Ebola concerns. In the UAE, autumn fog could delay flights. Destination News: Albania recorded Europe’s fastest growth in overnight stays in 2025, up 27%, though its tourism intensity remains below the EU average. Jamaica collected 10 Caribbean tourism awards, including top destination and cruise honours. Safety Concerns: Protests across France turned violent, with Lyon’s tourism office set on fire. A deadly resort fire at Bangladesh’s Inani Beach has raised questions about visitor safety and tourism infrastructure.

Tourism Investment: Ilocos Norte and the Philippines’ tourism infrastructure agency plan to restore Paoay Golf Course as a public-access attraction, adding a clubhouse, driving range and mini-golf facility. Festive Travel: Goa searches for October-November trips are up 43% year on year, as the state prepares for holiday visitors with beach shacks reopening and improved connectivity. Festival Economy: Shreveport-Bossier’s Red River Revel and Prize Fest generated a combined $43 million in reported economic impact last year, while area room demand is up 9% so far in 2026. Travel Advisory: Britain now advises against all but essential travel across Saudi Arabia amid attacks and flight disruption, urging travellers to check with airlines. Cruise Costs: New Zealand will cut its border levy for arriving cruise passengers from July 2027, lowering the charge by nearly $20. Market Push: Northern England is courting Indian visitors as the UK’s Indian tourism market is forecast to reach £1.5 billion by 2030. Europe Travel: A paid EU travel authorisation, ETIAS, now appears unlikely to launch this year; officials have not set a start date.