AGP Executive Report

Serbia’s Tourism Push: Serbia promoted its tourism offer and EXPO 2027 in Zagreb, with new transport links planned to improve access to Belgrade’s event site. Travel Costs: Nearly half of Americans surveyed said higher prices could derail winter travel plans, as airfares, lodging and car rentals rise. Caribbean Tourism: Anguilla will host the region’s first sports tourism summit in 2027, while Antigua and Barbuda will host the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s annual industry conference. Destination Investment: The Philippines’ TIEZA has earmarked funding for tourism facilities in Ilagan, aiming to create jobs and boost domestic tourism. Industry Calendar: Montenegro will host ABTA’s 2027 Travel Convention, its first time as the event’s destination. Travel Alert: ABTA says ETIAS applications are not open, warning UK travellers to avoid more than 150 unofficial websites offering the delayed permit. Visitor Economy: Hampshire County tourism spending rose to $36.9 million, supporting 241 jobs.

Destination Partnerships: Ras Al Khaimah is pursuing tourism and development ties with US destinations, including Las Vegas, ahead of the planned 2027 opening of Wynn Al Marjan Island. New Tourism Investment: Oman has begun a $15 million project on Masirah, combining accommodation, retail and entertainment to build on the island’s natural and cultural attractions. PNG’s Growth Target: Papua New Guinea aims to lift tourism output above K3.6 billion by 2028, building on K1.2 billion in estimated economic impact last year. Shanghai’s Ambition: The city’s new five-year plan targets 10 million inbound visitors and 900 billion yuan in annual tourism revenue by 2030. Recovery Watch: New Zealand’s August international arrivals reached 99% of their 2019 level, with visitors from China up 32% year on year. Tourism Economics: Sri Lanka welcomed a record 2.36 million visitors in 2025, but earnings rose just 1.6%, renewing questions about how to attract higher-value travel.

Travel Disruptions: Singapore urged its citizens to defer trips to Saudi Arabia after missile and drone attacks targeted civilian aviation, while Riyadh airport closures have disrupted flights. The US also extended travel restrictions on Uganda, the DRC and South Sudan over Ebola transmission risks. Europe Entry Warning: The EU’s ETIAS authorisation still has no launch date, but more than 150 websites are reportedly offering applications. ABTA warns travellers not to pay unofficial sellers or share passport details. Caribbean Tourism: At the CTO’s SOTIC conference in Guyana, cruise training group Aquila urged destinations to turn ship visits into stronger local business and community benefits. Culture and Investment: Malaybalay City opened a month-long tourism celebration showcasing indigenous soil art and sustainable culture; Morocco is seeking bids for a cable car project in historic Fez, designed to protect the medina while adding a visitor attraction.

Air Travel Disruption: Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport is set to remain closed until October 17 amid Houthi attacks, while Qatar Airways has suspended flights to Riyadh and Dammam. Several governments have also warned against travel to Saudi Arabia. Malaysia Tourism: The government has allocated RM935 million to tourism and culture and extended Visit Malaysia Year through 2027. Travel agents say the funding should reach businesses on the ground, including small operators. Tourism Awards: Jamaica won multiple Caribbean honours at the World Travel Awards, including Leading Destination, as the industry highlights recovery and resilience after Hurricane Melissa. Off-Season Growth: Ladakh welcomed 55,582 visitors in September, up 60.6% year on year, as officials promote events and attractions beyond the summer peak. Industry Debate: At the WTTC summit in Malta, tourism leaders discussed crowding and sustainability, with calls to spread visits across the year and better balance growth with local needs. Thailand Travel Costs: A proposed 1,000-baht departure tax could add to costs for travellers, while industry groups warn it may discourage trips.

Destination Spotlight: Palawan was named Asia’s Best Island in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, praised for its beaches, biodiversity and sustainability efforts. Travel Disruption: A deadly attack on Riyadh’s airport prompted fresh travel warnings, including South Korea’s call for its citizens to leave Saudi Arabia; airport closures and flight cancellations disrupted regional travel. Tourism Growth: Curaçao’s central bank raised its 2026 growth forecast, citing stronger-than-expected tourism. Egypt is urging UK travel sellers to promote longer stays and multi-stop trips, as the country seeks to build on record visitor numbers. Nature at Risk: Vieques’ Mosquito Bay has lost its famous bioluminescent glow, raising concern for a natural attraction that supports the island’s tourism economy.

Saudi Travel Disruption: Governments including Australia, Canada, the UK and South Korea are warning against travel to Saudi Arabia after attacks on Riyadh airport killed 12 and injured hundreds. Flights have been disrupted, and South Korea is urging its citizens to leave. Green-Season Tourism: Mekong countries are promoting rainy-season scenery, festivals and rural experiences to attract visitors during the traditional off-season and encourage greener tourism. India’s Tourism Investment: Odisha has unveiled incentives for hotel development and earmarked ₹1,500 crore for tourism infrastructure through 2031, alongside plans for tourist police and trained beach lifeguards. Outbound Travel: Chinese travellers made 4.4 million overseas trips during the extended Golden Week holiday, up 9.3% year on year, with longer stays and stronger interest in Europe and New Zealand. UK Industry Impact: ABTA estimates outbound travel contributes £57 billion to the UK economy and supports 865,000 jobs.

Travel Safety: A deadly strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed 12 and injured about 300, triggering flight suspensions and travel warnings as the airport remained closed. Caribbean Partnerships: Guyana and Jamaica signed a tourism cooperation agreement covering investment, air links, training and sustainable development. Jamaica also reported a 23.5% rise in airline seats for the coming winter season, a sign of recovery after Hurricane Melissa. Destination Promotion: Illinois is directing more than $553,000 to Joliet-area tourism marketing and Route 66 projects, while Ajman is taking its tourism pitch to Central Asian partners. Cultural Travel: Egypt will send part of its restored Fayoum mummy portrait collection to Rome for its first exhibition abroad. New Experiences: China’s tech-tourism offer is drawing overseas visitors to robotics demonstrations and technology shopping in Shanghai.

Malaysia Tourism: The 2027 budget raises tourism funding by 32.6% to RM935 million, while Malaysia’s scuba industry is seeking a stronger role in developing marine tourism and protecting coastal communities. Bohol Recovery: Tourist arrivals fell nearly 22% in the first half of 2026. The province is planning new international flights and fairer pricing to rebuild visitor confidence. Airline Costs: Rising jet-fuel prices are prompting American, United and Southwest to cut or reconsider flights, potentially reducing choice and pushing fares higher ahead of the holidays. Riyadh Disruption: An attack on King Khalid International Airport killed 12 and injured more than 300, with flights diverted or cancelled and travel alerts issued. Destination Picks: The Isles of Scilly took the UK’s top island spot in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 readers’ awards. Cruise Trends: Japanese operators are introducing shorter, cheaper itineraries to attract younger travelers and grow a market long associated with retirees.

Travel Disruption: An attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport prompted evacuation and warnings for travelers to avoid the area, with flight cancellations and airspace disruptions possible. Destination Recovery: Bohol is responding to a 22% drop in visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026 with plans for more international flights, fair pricing and sustainable tourism. Regional Ties: Perlis and Uzbekistan’s Tashkent Region are exploring tourism cooperation, while visa-free access is helping drive Chinese visitor numbers to Uzbekistan up 3.5 times. Tourism Headwinds: Cuba’s international arrivals fell 64.4% through August, as fuel shortages, flight cancellations and hotel-chain departures deepen the sector’s crisis. Caribbean Investment: Guyana’s president urged regional governments and businesses to invest in transport and visitor experiences; a Caribbean initiative also showcased community-led conservation as a foundation for sustainable tourism. Goa’s Outlook: The state’s chief minister expects foreign arrivals to return to pre-pandemic levels within a year, citing infrastructure upgrades and efforts to encourage longer stays.

Tourism Investment: Odisha officials pitched Ganjam’s beaches, Chilika Lake and cultural sites for resort, homestay and ecotourism projects. Madhya Pradesh’s travel mart also highlighted community-led Dhoba village and eco-friendly ventures. Cruise Growth: Cordelia operator Waterways Leisure Tourism reported first-half profit of ₹81.27 crore, up 215%, and plans to start sailing its new ship, Cordelia Sky, on Oct. 23. China Travel: Visa-free policies are supporting inbound tourism, with 23.72 million visa-free entries recorded in January–August. But Golden Week spending per trip fell to a four-year low as more Chinese travelers went abroad. Industry Priorities: WTTC’s Malta summit set a goal of bringing one million tourism SMEs into its network; Jamaica called for a Caribbean tourism resilience fund and better regional transport. Travel Disruptions: Hurricane Isaias prompted airline waivers and early departures, while Delta warned high fuel costs could curb flight growth next year. Local Visitor Economies: Peterborough leaders are calling for closer regional cooperation to grow a visitor economy worth £2.4 billion.

Caribbean Investment: At SOTIC in Guyana, President Irfaan Ali urged the region to invest in transport links, disaster readiness and major events to turn its natural attractions into lasting growth. Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett proposed a regional resilience fund to help destinations, workers and small businesses withstand future shocks. Global Tourism: India will host the WTTC Global Summit in 2027, while Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness improved in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 index, lifting it to 23rd worldwide. China Travel: National Day holidays brought 826 million domestic trips and more than 738 billion yuan in tourism spending; average daily spending rose 4.3% year over year. New Regional Offers: Cambodia and Vietnam are exploring joint “Two Countries, One Destination” packages for international visitors, backed by stronger transport links and shared promotion. Travel Trends: Ukrainian summer demand shifted toward safer countryside stays, with hotel performance varying sharply by location as travellers made more cautious plans. Visitor Services: Bulgaria is developing a multilingual tourism portal with attraction, transport, accommodation and event information.

Visitor Demand: Cappadocia is enjoying an autumn tourism surge, with visitors from China and elsewhere in East Asia filling hotels and touring the valleys during China’s Golden Week. Destination Investment: Egypt has allocated more than 1 million square metres near Hurghada for tourism projects, including hotels, managed accommodation and water parks, with about 856 new rooms planned. Resilient Hospitality: At a Maldives hotelier forum, Bank of Maldives presented digital payments as a way to improve guest experiences and support local businesses, while the IFC outlined financing options to help resorts strengthen energy resilience. Tourism Outlook: China’s National Day holiday generated more than 2.1 billion cross-regional trips, as travellers took longer journeys and explored lesser-known destinations; new guidelines aim to streamline tourism projects and land use. Sri Lanka also ranked among the world’s 10 fastest-improving tourism economies. Destination Recognition: Phu Quoc was named Asia’s top island in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, while Qatar placed 19th among the world’s top countries.

China Travel: Golden Week produced 2.1 billion passenger trips, but growth slowed to 0.6% from 6.2% a year earlier, as high fuel prices and bad weather weighed on demand. Travel Connections: FlixBus launched a direct Columbus–Toronto route via Cleveland, Erie and Buffalo, offering a new cross-border option for travelers. Health Alerts: Kenya’s first reported Ebola case prompted travel advisories, while officials sought to reassure visitors and investors that the country remains safe. Tourism Capacity: Curaçao’s tourism group called for a pause on major projects until infrastructure can keep pace with hotel growth, raising questions about who benefits from the boom. Regional Growth: Guyana’s president urged Caribbean leaders to step up tourism investment and improve digital visa processing; Indonesia is expanding halal-friendly services to attract Muslim visitors. Destination Honors: Condé Nast Traveler readers named Greece the world’s best country for tourism and Seoul the top big city.

Climate & Destinations: Baguio expects El Niño heat to draw visitors seeking cooler weather, while promoting nearby destinations to ease traffic and protect water supplies. Health & Travel: The UK advised against all but essential travel to parts of Kenya after an imported Ebola case. Kenya says health measures are in place and is reassuring visitors at the Magical Kenya Travel Expo as it pursues a 5.5 million arrivals target. Travel Demand: Singapore hotel rates are rising as Formula One and business events boost demand, with other Asian cities competing for major events. Industry Outlook: WTTC expects Europe’s travel and tourism sector to grow 3.1% in 2026, ahead of the wider economy. Destination News: Puerto Vallarta ranked the world’s second-best small city in Condé Nast Traveler’s readers’ awards for a second year. Cape Town and Stellenbosch have also joined forces to encourage longer visitor stays.

Industry Outlook: WTTC’s Global Summit opened in Malta as Europe’s travel and tourism sector is forecast to grow 3.1% in 2026, outpacing the wider economy. China’s Holiday Boom: National Day travel drove a surge in tourism, with cultural experiences gaining ground and railways expecting 24.15 million return trips on the holiday’s final day. Caribbean Leadership: Antigua and Barbuda was elected chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, strengthening its role in regional tourism. Health Alerts: Kenya’s first imported Ebola case prompted updated UK travel advice and increased screening, putting health precautions in focus for visitors. Local Tourism: Vietnam’s Dong Van Karst Plateau is staggering buckwheat planting through December to extend its visitor season and spread benefits to local communities. Sustainable Growth: Camiguin is using a new framework to balance tourism growth with community needs and environmental protection. Travel Access and Costs: The Philippines granted visa-free entry to visitors from 46 African countries, while Thailand is consulting on a proposed 1,000-baht departure fee for air travellers. Visitor Numbers: Manitoba reported a record 11.1 million visitors in 2025, who spent $2.4 billion.

Ultra-Luxury Corporate Retreats: Astra Privé says it’s moving from packaged travel to “production-level” bespoke operations, building secure, minimalist event stages for C-suite and UHNWIs across London and Istanbul. Travel Tech & Safety: Jag Project launched “Travel AI Rescue” for eSIM users and warns that AI-generated emergency contacts can be wrong or incomplete. Tourism Expo & Deals: Mongolia’s International Tourism Mart-2026 runs Oct 23–25, while Zaxby’s is expanding into Florida Turnpike service plazas via Areas USA. Destination Spotlight: Europe’s top wine region ranking puts Slovenia’s Štajerska first, beating major French and Italian contenders. Accessible Travel: Cardiff Airport won an international award for accessible assistance, citing support for 32,540 passengers. Border & Travel Planning: Canada’s CBSA urges Thanksgiving travelers to plan ahead, declare honestly, and use officer guidance. Public Transport Update: Hong Kong’s Huanggang Port will add 24-hour bus and minibus routes, with travelers directed to other crossing points if needed. Health Alert: Kenya confirmed its first Ebola case and death, triggering urgent contact tracing.