AGP Executive Report

Tourism Recovery & Safety: Dinagat Islands in the Philippines says visitor numbers have surged to 1.121 million by Dec. 2025 after Typhoon Odette, with tourism revenues topping P545 million, while Bohol police move to identify suspects who robbed two Chinese tourists at Morning Hills. Destination Development: Bahrain’s Muharraq pushes investment into Old Muharraq’s historic zone and urges garages and repair workshops to relocate to protect the heritage-and-tourism character. Qatar Tourism Push: Qatar Tourism Awards shortlist (276 nominees) opens public voting, and the country’s MCIT backs practical tech pilots—using AI and connected systems—to improve visitor journeys. Caribbean Strategy: Guyana Tourism Authority urges regional destinations to diversify experiences without diluting authenticity, with more focus on artisans and heritage. Travel Experiences & Trends: Microbiome tourism is emerging as a gut-health wellness travel niche, and Lonely Planet released a dedicated Shikoku pilgrimage guide for travelers seeking quieter, local Japan. Holiday & Transport Notes: Canada Post cuts domestic parcel fuel surcharges by 15% for the holiday rush; Peru targets new air routes and airport upgrades to boost tourism competitiveness. Leisure Tourism: Union Pacific’s steam locomotive No. 844 returns for a holiday double-header with Big Boy No. 4014, and Point Turton in Australia welcomes smooth stingrays back after an algal bloom.

Weather & Disruption: Spain’s Catalonia is still reeling after torrential rain and flash floods, with Barcelona-El Prat cancelling 385 flights over the weekend and rail disruption continuing into Monday; Greece’s Crete also faced damaging flash floods and urgent alerts. Travel Safety: A tourist bus crash in Punjab, India killed four (including an LPU student) after it fell from the Banga flyover; separate drownings hit Spain’s Costa Blanca and a UK beach hotspot. Air Travel & Borders: The UK is upgrading e-gates with contactless facial recognition so returning Brits won’t scan passports at gates; Wizz Air pushed back an Abu Dhabi restart to January 10. Tourism Growth & Policy: Kenya says tourism is growing but still “punching below its weight,” aiming to double earnings; Namibia ranks 90th in the WEF tourism development index. Industry & Deals: FlightHub flags Casablanca as a breakout destination for Canadians; Hilton highlights “micro-trips” and wellness as rising travel habits. Hotels & Experiences: Moxy + AC Hotel’s LA tower adds more dining options, including a new grab-and-go cafe.

Travel Safety & Entry: Two American travel creators were expelled from Baghdad “for their safety” after being detained by security forces. Tourism Rules & Visas: Saudi Arabia expanded its streamlined tourist visa access to citizens of Kosovo and Guyana, including online or on-arrival options. Health for Travelers: Kuwait opened a Salwa travel health clinic offering pre-trip consultations, vaccination reviews, and preventive guidance. Wildlife Backlash: Oman fined and jailed two Ukrainian tourists (suspended) for disturbing nesting sea turtles at Ras Al Hadd after footage went viral. Air Travel Capacity: South Korea’s fair trade regulator rejected airlines’ bid to cut required Guam-bound seat capacity by 20%. Destination Marketing: Halkidiki ramped up UK (and Italian) agent familiarisation to grow arrivals. Travel Costs: USPS is raising holiday shipping surcharges, while Hopper warns holiday airfare is set for a pricier season. Tourism Growth: Georgia set a record in 2025 with 175.6M visitors and $46.2B in spending. Sustainability Spotlight: Victoria, Canada topped a global index for small-city sustainable tourism.

Maldives Tax Shake-Up: MATATO welcomed President Muizzu’s decision to revise the destination-principle TGST framework after tourism industry concerns, aiming to protect state revenue while keeping the Maldives easy to sell. WTTC Malta Summit: Croatia’s Nikolina Brnjac will speak at the WTTC Global Summit in Valletta (Oct 7–9), focusing on tourism growth, mobility, connectivity and sustainability. Kenya Pilgrimage Tragedy: A multi-vehicle crash on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway killed 17 pilgrims heading to Subukia shrine; officials called the stretch a “black spot.” Spain Storms & Safety: Spain issued a “danger to life” red alert as severe flooding and 70mph winds hit a holiday hotspot, with at least one death reported. Travel Disruption Watch: Global Affairs Canada issued a new Brazil travel security warning after a U.S. embassy security alert and consular suspension. Air & Cruise Moves: Southwest adds new nonstop routes from Austin (to Nassau, Punta Cana and Liberia) from June 2027; Holland America will put Montreal at the center of its 2028 Canada/New England itineraries. Tourism Policy & Local Life: North Yorkshire council considers a Chopstix noodle takeaway at Primrose Valley Holiday Village; New Forest MPs renewed opposition to an overnight visitor levy. Tech for Tourism: WTTC and ICC signed an MoU to back travel and tourism SMEs with research, policy advocacy and market access.

UAE Tourism & Events: Sharjah’s Sharjah Auto Fest is bringing 100 vehicles to four Shurooq destinations—Al Qasba, Al Heera Beach, Al Majaz Waterfront and Khorfakkan Beach—with free entry for visitors from 4pm to 9pm. Public Safety for Travelers: Bangladesh is considering adding 2,526 Tourist Police personnel to boost security and help services across 130 tourist destinations. Transit as Travel Policy: New Zealand’s Green Party is pushing a transport plan aimed at making trips cheaper and easier, including free travel for kids and expanded rail and bus services. Airline Network Moves: Delta will launch twice-daily nonstop service from Salt Lake City to Flagstaff starting June 7, 2027, restoring Flagstaff to a two-airline market. Loyalty Tensions: United’s new status match campaign is drawing backlash from some flyers who say it could strip perks. Travel Disruption & Safety: Spain faces severe weather risk with a rare red warning for intense downpours, while anti-tourism protests in Spain turned violent in major cities. Visa Update: Guyanese passport holders can now enter Saudi Arabia with e-visa or visa on arrival without needing a US/UK/Schengen visa. Cruise Cleanup Effort: Carnival Cruise Line says crews collected 5,000+ pounds of coastal trash across homeports and destinations during September.

Sports Tourism Push: Melaka is studying how to attract visitors with world-class events, highlighting the Le Tour de Langkawi and eyeing motorsports as a future draw. Tourism Markets & Housing: Tirana’s short-term rental boom is keeping rents high, with tens of thousands of apartments listed on Airbnb/Booking. Heritage Travel Surge: China’s Zunyi red-tourism sites reopened after renovation ahead of National Day, pulling crowds to Long March history. Public Health During Holidays: Medical workers stayed on duty across China during National Day to keep services running. India Tourism Investment: Odisha launched its 7th Travel Bazaar in Bhubaneswar, pitching heritage, wildlife and new support measures for hotels and tourism infrastructure. Airport Safety Tech: Costa Rica’s San José airport added QR codes for U.S. travelers to register for the STEP safety service. Park Reopens: Kaziranga National Park reopened after monsoon closure; jeep safaris started and elephant safaris are expected to resume soon. Digital Travel Access: Turkmenistan launched an e-visa portal with separate tourist, business and humanitarian categories. Travel Safety & Disruption: A Spanish tourist bar collapse in La Rioja injured at least 12 and trapped dozens. Travel Policy Change (US): U.S. CBP will stop routine passport stamping at primary screening, with stamps only on request. Tourism Business Spotlight: Cheyenne’s summer hotel demand is supported by a local 2% lodging tax funding visitor services. Controversy: A UK travel-agent “side hustle” promoted by influencers faced criticism over fees and low earnings.

Holiday Travel Tech & Deals: Smart Travē is pushing discounted international eSIM data packs for Filipinos, pitching easier activation plus local Smart support. Community Tourism & Spending: Lake George, New York is extending its season with Halloween attractions like Fort Fright, while U.S. counties and sheriff’s offices kick off early holiday food and toy drives. Payments for Holiday Shopping: PayPal says BNPL use is set to rise, with shoppers citing tighter budgets and “more control” as key reasons. Visa Policy Shock (Australia): Changes to Australia’s working holiday visa cap are cutting third-year spots sharply, raising fears backpacker-reliant regions could lose workers and visitors. Border & Travel Scrutiny (U.S./Canada): U.S. border agents can search electronic devices without a warrant, and Canadians are being warned to expect tougher checks. Airline & Airport Capacity: Alaska Airlines unveils new premium suites; Indianapolis International expects 500,000 passengers in late September/October; Austin’s AUS braces for ACL-driven crowds. Sustainability Trend: Experts say tourism’s future hinges on sustainability and authenticity. Destination Updates: Maldives reported 150,764 arrivals in September; China’s new high-speed rail line is speeding trips to forest tourism spots.

Travel Insurance Rules: Tanzania will require a specific local travel insurance policy from Oct. 1 (mainland via National Insurance Corporation; Zanzibar via Zanzibar Insurance Corporation), with entry denied for travelers without valid coverage. Border Tech & Paperless Travel: New Zealand and Australia are considering a more digital, passport-light trans-Tasman process, but experts warn rollout details matter. Tourism Policy & Access: Tamil Nadu expanded its free bus travel scheme for women under Vettri Payanam, while Puducherry is considering a similar move and plans to add 100 buses. Safety & Liability: A UK firm Transforma Travel Group faces a £12m lawsuit after a Cambodia “sunset BBQ cruise” capsized; in the UK, Travelodge security failures are under scrutiny after reported room intrusions. Tourism Growth & Markets: Cyprus tourism revenue hit €536.5m in July; Nepal saw foreign arrivals up 12.1% in September; Mongolia welcomed 841,506 international tourists by Sept. 30. Industry Moves: Riviera Travel River Cruises named Donna Kurtz as MICE sales director for North America. Travel Deals/Tech: Smart Travē eSIM packs for Filipinos are discounted up to 40% for the holiday season.

Tourism Policy & Site Quality: Ghana’s Tourism Minister urged better maintenance, consistent historical storytelling, and ongoing investment after touring Eastern Region attractions. Fleet & Transport: Daish’s Holidays will add four new £1.2m Mercedes-Benz coaches to modernize its fleet for hotel routes. Road Disruptions: Arizona’s ADOT issued weekend freeway closures and detours for Oct. 2-5 in the Phoenix area. Travel Safety & Security: Canada raised Iraq to “avoid all travel” and warned conditions could worsen; the U.S. also signaled tougher checks for Canadian travelers. Border/Travel Disruption Risk: Reports of bus attacks and passenger abductions on Nigeria’s Owerri–Onitsha route highlight rising travel insecurity. Destination Demand: Seoul ranked No. 4 in Asia for repeat visitors, driven by culture and convenience. Tourism Infrastructure: North Dakota’s new $10m Oriska Rest Area opens with accessible amenities and traveler planning tools. Holiday Travel Costs: Disney World visitors face elevated airfare risk heading into the holiday season. Tourism Growth & Marketing: Guam showcased CHamoru culture at Tourism EXPO Japan and partnered with WTTC to boost international engagement. Local Tourism Planning: Charleston held public input sessions for a peninsula tourism management plan focused on congestion and resident balance.

Tourism Numbers: Indonesia saw foreign arrivals rise 6.27% in August, led by Malaysians (296,227; +28.95% y/y), while Malaysia also topped outbound trips from Indonesia. Travel Safety & Security: A UK independent review says Travelodge failed a guest sexually assaulted after a man obtained a room key, calling the chain “fundamentally failed… at every stage.” Climate & Travel Planning: ABTA’s Travel Convention keynote warns extreme heat is already reshaping holidays and hiking, pushing the industry to adapt. Holiday Travel Disruptions: Hawaii’s tourism cooled in August as storms cut arrivals, shorter stays hit spending, and leaders fear the slowdown may spill into early 2027. Policy & Passes: EU DiscoverEU opens for 18-year-olds for free rail-led travel across Europe (up to seven days). Destination Development: Cambodia inaugurated National Road No. 10 to link its northwest to the coast and boost trade and tourism. US Travel Curbs: The US tightened its Cuba embargo, restricting travel and banking access for Cuban independent entrepreneurs.

Holiday Travel Costs: Hopper says 2026 Thanksgiving and Christmas airfares are at decade highs, with Thanksgiving flights averaging $402 (+31%) and Christmas $452 (+23%), as jet-fuel and airline fee hikes bite travelers. Airport & Border Tech: The TSA will require document-check officers to stand during checks, while New Zealand’s National proposes a more seamless trans-Tasman Australia-NZ trial using digital credentials and biometrics (no paper passport at the gate). Safety & Disruption: Bangkok is dealing with intense monsoon flooding, with major road closures and extra travel time urged even as airports and key attractions stay open; Nepal’s traffic police are cracking down on long-distance night buses needing two drivers. Tourism Policy & Access: Qatar’s Hamad International Airport and Ehsan launched an older-persons travel-awareness program to improve accessibility and confidence. Destination Demand: Malaysia is seeing a 160% jump in interest ahead of the Bahrain GP, driven by international searches. Industry Moves: Choice Hotels is buying RV stay network Harvest Hosts to expand outdoor travel options.

Airfare & disruption: Holiday flights are hitting 10-year highs, with Hopper flagging average round-trip domestic fares around $400 (and about $450 for Christmas), while volcanic ash from Mount Etna forced Jet2 to cancel flights into Catania and left some services still working through fallout. Airline perks: American Airlines will let solo travelers move off the middle seat if an aisle/window opens, free of charge, via a new app feature up to 24 hours before departure. Tourism policy & safety: York’s hotelier warns a proposed tourist levy could hurt longer stays and small operators; Bangladesh is boosting Durga Puja security and extending the holiday; and the U.S. measles resurgence is prompting travel-health caution ahead of outings. Destinations & demand: France logged its busiest summer in 15 years; Penang pulled in 285,400 medical tourists and RM601.8m revenue in 1H 2026; and Visit Portugal is ramping up Canada trade push for winter/spring. Travel tech & retail: WiT Singapore 2026 opens with senior travel leaders focused on tech-driven change, while Thomas Cook is expanding package access via Skyscanner Packages. New experiences: Chessington World of Adventures is set to open a Minecraft World Hotel near London in 2027, betting on gaming-themed travel.

Premium Air Push: Alaska Air is betting big on premium travel—lie-flat seats, premium-economy cabins and new lounges—as high jet fuel prices squeeze profits. Tourism Funding Boost: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced $4.6M in grants to promote Route 66 and tourism across the state, including international marketing. AI for Tourism Growth: Malaysia’s tourism ministry urged small businesses and communities to use digital tech and AI to plan trips and manage destinations more efficiently. Regional Cooperation: ASEAN tourism ministers met in Manila to push intra-ASEAN travel, expand marketing beyond big cities, and update the 2002 tourism agreement for digital and sustainable priorities. Travel Tax Debate: Philippines lawmaker Miro Quimbo urged quick approval to scrap the overseas travel tax ahead of the holiday rush. Safety & Security: Troops in Zamfara, Nigeria rescued 41 abducted travellers after a vehicle breakdown. Spiritual Travel Expansion: Sterling Holiday Resorts opened Sterling Varanasi near major temples and ghats, deepening India’s faith-based tourism push. Holiday Travel Costs: US holiday airfares are hitting 10-year highs, with experts advising earlier booking and flexible dates. Destination Spotlight: Cook Islands was named Oceania’s leading island destination at the World Travel Awards for a fourth straight year.

Travel Tax Debate (Philippines): Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo urged fast approval of a bill to scrap the long-running travel tax on overseas trips, saying it’s a burden on Filipino families and part of the Marcos administration’s agenda. Tourism Policy & Regulation (Malaysia): Airbnb called for clear national short-term rental guidelines ahead of Budget 2027, arguing rules should be workable for small hosts while boosting domestic travel to secondary cities and rural areas. Destination Marketing (Hong Kong): The Hong Kong Tourism Board and Informa Markets promoted Hong Kong’s luxury, marine and tourism offerings at the Monaco Yacht Show, teeing up a November festival. Safety & Disruption (UK): A pedestrian was taken to hospital with suspected life-threatening injuries after a collision with a bus in Sheffield, causing diversions. Airport & Border Updates (UK): UK Visas and Immigration reminded travellers to check whether they need a visa or an ETA using the GOV.UK tool before trips. Adventure Tourism (Saudi Arabia): King Salman Reserve trails earned international accreditation for 10 hiking routes, aiming to raise safety and quality. Tourism Growth (Bahamas): The Bahamas central bank reported stronger August tourism earnings, with arrivals up to 8.5 million for the first seven months. Travel Tech (Singapore/India): Indian travellers reported mixed results using UPI abroad, with a Changi Airport payment glitch raising questions about acceptance. Tourism Governance (Bahamas): The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association will appoint an interim president after Jackson Weech’s move to become tourism director general. Local Tourism Events (Philippines): Mindanao’s DOT plans the 4th Mindanao Tourism Expo in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, to strengthen regional travel links.

Philippines Tourism Funding: A Senate hearing on the 2027 DOT budget urged faster foreign-visitor growth by fixing airport accessibility, hotel/food pricing, and easing friction at e-gates. Travel Taxes in Focus: Tieza asked for a transition before abolishing travel taxes, saying the levy funds most tourism infrastructure like airport upgrades and sewage projects. China Travel Curbs Tighten: Beijing expanded overseas travel approvals for top AI talent to include spouses and children, further restricting movement for key tech figures. Holiday Flight Costs: U.S. holiday airfares hit 10-year highs as jet fuel costs rise, with Thanksgiving and Christmas round-trips averaging $402 and $452. Cruise Disruption: Royal Caribbean canceled an Icon of the Seas stop at Costa Maya, offering onboard credit and sparking mixed passenger reactions. Tourism Trade & Confidence: Thailand’s tourism authority warned flooding could cut Chinese Golden Week arrivals by up to 20%, while trade groups push to restore confidence. Destination & Culture: Seoul’s free Tourism ON Festa returns Oct. 2-3 at Namsan, and Sarawak Connect brought trade partners together to turn “partners into packages.” Safety & Fraud Alerts: FBI warned Captivating Travels clients may have had card data used in fraud; separate reports flagged a fatal bar fight involving an American tourist in Panglao.

Volcano Disruptions: Mount Etna’s 4km ash cloud has grounded flights at Catania Airport for a third straight day, with a red flight warning in force and cancellations hitting holidaymakers, including routes linked to the UK. Border Rules & Passports: UK–Ireland ferry travel tightens as Irish Ferries and Stena Line require valid passports at check-in, dropping driving licences and national ID cards; passport cards are accepted. Travel Safety: South Africans are being urged to closely supervise children during school holidays amid warnings about GBV, sexual assault, abduction and trafficking. Tourism Tech Push: Kenya marks World Tourism Day by accelerating digitisation and AI-led promotion of tourism experiences to meet travellers’ smartphone-driven booking habits. Gulf Tourism Outlook: GCC-Stat says Gulf tourism’s next phase depends on more visitors, expanded hotel capacity, and better use of data, digital apps and AI to manage demand and destinations sustainably. New Routes & Connectivity: China–Laos Railway launches a new Boten–Vientiane intercity service, adding same-day travel options for northern Laos. Visa/Entry Updates: Australia announces tighter temporary visa rules for students, skilled workers, tourists and Working Holiday Makers, while Thailand reduces visa-free stays for UK visitors from 60 to 30 days. Affluent Travel Training: Not Just Travel rolls out a 12-week luxury sales course for homeworking agents as demand shifts toward higher-value experiences.