AGP Executive Report

Disaster Response: Nepal’s Nepal–Tibet flash flood has killed at least 160 people, with hundreds of tourists and locals still missing; authorities say 341 foreign nationals are unaccounted for and the U.S. is tracking Americans while sending $500,000 in aid via Catholic Relief Services. Travel Safety & Access: New Zealand’s SH73 has partially reopened after snow, but the Canterbury side remains closed; NZTA warns of ongoing snow risks and surface flooding on other routes. Air Connectivity: Vietjet launches direct Clark (Philippines)–Ho Chi Minh City service from Nov. 10, three times weekly, with a promotional $75 one-way fare. Tourism Demand & Spend: Seoul set a record 1.61 million foreign visitors in July, with spending up sharply—medical and wellness services are rising fast. Destination Marketing: Peru’s PROMPERÚ hosted Australian travel advisors to push “beyond Machu Picchu” experiences. Policy & Taxes: Fiji clarified its 5% tourism services tax will apply only to new bookings from Sept. 1, easing fears of retroactive charges. Wellness Travel: Mandara Spa rolls out multi-day wellness programmes across Maldives resorts. Tourism Growth: South Africa saw a 17% jump in foreign arrivals in July, while Japan’s higher departure tax is funding overtourism-related projects like bear protection. Events: NUSTAR Run in Cebu drew 3,000+ runners, highlighting the rise of community wellness events.

Nepal Disaster: Flash floods in Rasuwa have killed at least 95 people and left 384 travellers missing, including 291 foreign nationals; Nepal Army says it rescued 88 while searches continue. Tourism Safety & Accountability: Jeju Island is reeling after four bodies were found in 72 hours, with a police officer accused of falsifying missing-person records and misleading families. Visitor Economy Pressure: Curaçao lawmakers are debating tourism limits after a carrying-capacity study warned the island is nearing overtourism conditions. Destination Strategy: Expo 2030 Riyadh and France’s Atout France signed an MoU to share expertise on operations, visitor experience, and sustainable tourism ahead of the World Expo. Air Connectivity: Porter Airlines launches new seasonal nonstop routes from London, Ontario (to Florida, Jamaica and Mexico) starting November, with more domestic service planned for 2027. Tourist Taxes & Friction: Edinburgh’s new tourist levy is drawing complaints from hotels over manual calculations and platform billing issues, with businesses warning costs could run into millions. Travel Demand Signals: Bulgarian domestic travel spending rose nearly 21% in Q2 2026, with accommodation costs up 35.09%. Cruise Season Wrap: Thunder Bay closed its 2026 cruise season with the final port call by Viking Octantis. Luxury Travel Trade: Anguilla’s Tourist Board says Virtuoso data ranked it No. 1 in the Caribbean for festive travel. UK Staycation Push: Research suggests Brits are shifting toward lesser-known destinations with space to explore rather than crowded hotspots.

Local Tax Win: Meadville voters approved a 3% occupancy tax for hotels, motels, B&Bs and lodges (more than six rooms), aiming to back the Okhissa Lake Lodge and Resort. Tour Access Simplified: Ladakh is exploring a single protected area permit for foreign tourists, with dedicated airport registration and fewer checkpoints. Airport Demand Rebound: Dubai Airports says DXB demand is recovering as capacity returns, with international airlines serving 217 destinations across 99 countries. Resort Upgrades: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort has finished a multi-million-dollar transformation, including refreshed rooms and new pool loungers. New Openings: Hyatt’s first Andaz in Australia is taking reservations for a late-2026 Broadbeach debut; Marriott signed Shanghai’s first urban Ritz-Carlton Reserve (opening 2030). Tourism Growth Watch: El Salvador reported $2.1B in tourism foreign-exchange revenue in H1 2026 (+10%), with 2.9M international visitors by July. Cruise Strategy: Sri Lanka is pushing to make Colombo a cruise hub and extend passenger stays via tighter port, hotel and agency coordination. Safety & Disruption: Winter storm impacts hit New Zealand’s South Island with road closures and heavy snow risk; Fiji’s Nadi fuel shortage is expected to end after a new jet fuel shipment. Policy Pressure: Seoul will inspect Yeouido hotels for price gouging ahead of the fireworks festival, with possible suspensions for rate-disclosure violations.

Hotel & tourism demand: Kenya’s Central Bank survey shows forward hotel bookings for Aug–Nov 2026 rising to 56.25% (up from 49.5% last year), with Nairobi seeing a lift from international meetings and conferences. Group travel shift: U.S. urban hotels are adjusting room inventories as bachelor/bachelorette and friend-group trips grow, with travelers favoring hotels over short-term rentals for reliability and logistics. Sustainability in tourism: TUI Care Foundation and Green Phenix expand Curaçao’s Destination Zero Waste project to nearly 100 tourism businesses, targeting 25 tons of plastic plus 30 tons of other waste. Destination development: Nayarit, Mexico is pitching a broader 2026 travel mix beyond beaches, leaning on its nine Pueblos Mágicos for culture and community experiences. Transport upgrades: New York’s LIRR Montauk Branch gets infrastructure improvements—track siding at Amagansett and a second platform at Hampton Bays—to cut delays and support higher ridership. Safety & visitor care: Vale of Leven Hospital urges local tourism operators to guide guests to the right care fast, including Minor Injuries and GP out-of-hours via NHS 24 (111). Tourism security/operations: A Meghalaya–Assam tourist taxi standoff is resolved after chief-minister level talks, aiming to restore cross-border visitor movement. Tourism tech & marketing: Cyprus opens consultation on an AI strategy to make the country an Eastern Mediterranean AI hub by 2032, explicitly linking AI to tourism and public services. Travel industry leadership: Visit El Paso names Veronica Castro executive director of Visit El Paso, while GPJ promotes leadership roles for its U.S. and global operations. Tourism experiences & products: Tampa Luxe launches a September booking platform bundling yachts, cars, nightlife and private stays across Tampa Bay. Tourism incidents: A Yellowstone visitor video shows a man spraying a wolf with bear spray after being stalked in restricted areas—another reminder that wildlife rules are non-negotiable.

Tourism Safety & Crime: Cambodia’s Sihanoukville police raided a 22-story hotel, detaining 35 foreigners tied to a cyber crime scam ring and seizing computers, phones and passports. Travel Demand Watch: Florida tourism dipped again in Q2, with a sharper fall in Canadian visitors as overall arrivals edged down. Destination Marketing & Culture: Vietnam leans harder on food tourism, with local dishes helping it rank among the world’s top culinary destinations. Policy & Taxes: Fiji’s hotel and tourism industry is pushing back on a 5% Tourism Services Tax, arguing it’s being applied to already-paid bookings and could hurt Fiji Airways. Infrastructure & Access: Singapore plans to expand its southern resort hub by linking Sentosa with a redeveloping neighboring island to create an “integrated leisure destination.” Hotel Deals: IHG signed a 14-hotel Kyoto conversion portfolio with phased rebrands to Garner and Holiday Inn Express. Air Connectivity: SalamAir adds Muscat–Erbil direct flights, while BermudAir launches seasonal Newark–South Caicos nonstop service. Local Growth Projects: Gauteng opened its biggest nature reserve to private operators via a long-term concession model. Weather Disruption: Spain’s Catalonia region faced severe storms and flooding, with authorities urging tourists to stay indoors. Tourism Experience & Ethics: Thailand unveiled its 2027 tourism plan, targeting 5% revenue growth and shifting toward higher-value, more meaningful travel.

US Birth Tourism Crackdown: The U.S. State Department says it has revoked 750+ visas since launching a Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force on Aug 12, targeting facilitators who market “guaranteed citizenship” schemes. Tourism Policy & Fees: Puerto Galera’s P50 environmental user fee is under fire from Mindoro’s Mangyan Alangan community, which argues indigenous residents shouldn’t be treated like tourists. Hotel Regulation: Penang moves to enforce Malaysia’s Private Accommodation By-Laws 2026, aiming to shut down unlicensed short-term operators and protect residents and visitors. Destination Marketing: Tourism Malaysia signs an MoU with Foodie Media to push Visit Malaysia 2026-2027 via culinary and digital content. Safety & Extremes: A French tourist died in Death Valley after a car got stuck in mud during extreme heat; officials urge better planning and water. Tourism Taxes Debate: Scotland’s Highland Council faces backlash over a proposed £5-a-night tourist tax, with critics warning of resident impact and weak planning. Brand Expansion: BWH Hotels expands Aiden boutique brand with new openings in the U.S., Germany and Thailand. Cruise Growth Push: Brazil and Australia both seek cruising momentum—Brazil via regional route circulation, Australia via calls to stabilize regulations and costs.

Sri Lanka Tourism Campaign: Sri Lanka is rolling out a Rs. 1.5 billion interim tourism PR and digital push to six priority markets (Australia, UK, Germany, India, China and Russia) from Aug 2026 to Apr 2027, aiming to bridge to a bigger global brand campaign in 2027. Maldives Hospitality Hiring: Anantara has appointed Keith Johnson as Cluster Director of Food and Beverage across its South Malé Atoll resorts, signaling continued investment in guest experience and culinary strategy. Tourism Safety & Disruption: Death Valley deaths highlight extreme-heat travel risks after a French tourist was stranded in mud and walked for help; meanwhile, the Pamitinan Protected Landscape in Rizal remains closed after cracks were found, with cleanup and safety checks underway. Destination Taxes Under Fire: Fiji’s new 5% Tourism Services Tax is being criticized by travel associations for hitting already-booked travelers, while Queenstown’s mayor is pushing back after a bed-night levy U-turn. MICE & Data Push: Busan is running a larger 2026 tourist survey (3,600 visitors) and staging its first Beijing MICE roadshow since 2015 to attract event business. Travel Tech Distribution: TravelDistro is enabling travel agencies to sell QR-issued attraction tickets for Türkiye via a single API. Tourism Business Climate: Kenya’s private sector warns election uncertainty could weigh on tourism and other sectors, as regulatory consultations flag tax, trade and finance barriers.

Tourism Safety & Access: Ilocos Sur’s Pinsal Falls reopened after improved weather and lower risk, with rules like life vests for boaters and a ban on hiking to the upper falls. Crisis Response: Kolkata’s hotel fire has triggered hotel closures over fire-safety gaps, leaving Bangladeshi visitors scrambling for beds. Destination Security: Shillong’s authorities say heavy security will continue and urge tourists not to cancel after recent violence. Tax & Regulation: Maldives approved GST changes that make foreign tour operators and offshore booking platforms pay GST under a destination principle, while also expanding GST rules for overseas tourism service providers; Maldives also reported green tax revenue up 5.8% to $84.31M. Travel Tech: IRCTC plans an upgrade to its ticketing system to cut peak-hour disruptions. Tourism Infrastructure: Goa cleared 1 lakh sqm for an eco-tourism investment promotion area in Quepem. Health & Travel Risk: Bali reassured visitors amid Zika concerns, saying no cases have been detected. Industry Growth: Nevis Tourism Authority hosted a junior minister to spotlight youth leadership ahead of the 2026 regional tourism youth congress. Digital Distribution: TravelDistro launched a Türkiye API-first B2B marketplace unifying tickets, tours, transfers, car rental, eSIM and hotels.

Extreme Heat Safety: A 68-year-old French tourist died in Death Valley after his car got stuck on a remote road and he couldn’t complete a walk to help as temperatures hit about 46C—rangers warn that remoteness, heat, and limited phone coverage can turn fast. Tourist Behavior & Liability: Police in Croatia say German tourists caused a major apartment fire in Poreč and an owner alleges obstruction during firefighting and abusive conduct. Local Tourism Pushes: Pakistan’s Multan is set for a tourism push with restoration of historic sites and an electric bus service; Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur is seeing new waterfall tourism as Naxal influence fades. Event-Driven Travel: Nagoya is ramping up for the Asian Games with visitor-facing events and hotel staff training, while Fiji’s Cloudbreak hosts the 2026 Fiji Pro with access restrictions. Policy & Pricing Pressure: New Zealand’s National Party promises “no new taxes” by ruling out a bed tax and bank tax, while Fiji’s hotel and tourism sector warns confusion over a new 5% Tourism Services Tax. Marketing Trends: Saskatchewan leans on content creators to fill tourism marketing gaps, and New York launches a Canada-focused discount campaign after a 26% drop in Canadian visits. Destination Growth Strategy: Vietnam is shifting from visitor-count growth to higher-value tourism, targeting more spending and longer stays.

Agro-tourism Awards: Malaysia’s Selangor Fruit Valley (SFV) won two top tourism honours in two weeks, boosting its push to blend farm experiences with tech, education and new attractions like a Vanilla Cafe and glamping. Tourism Infrastructure: Chattogram Development Authority plans a 3-km tourist zone along the Karnaphuli River, adding a riverside walkway plus food and kids’ entertainment. Air Connectivity: Fly Jinnah will launch Karachi–Riyadh direct flights on Sept 18 (three weekly, then daily from Oct), expanding travel options for business, family, tourism and pilgrimage. Cultural Travel & Hospitality: India’s FHRAI convention in Varanasi featured an Andhra Pradesh tourism pavilion focused on coastal, heritage, spiritual, eco and MICE offerings, while Odisha’s deputy CM tied tourism to local agriculture, crafts and clean energy. Safety & Disruption: Long Beach is proposing $5m/year speed-camera funding after a record 2025 spike in traffic deaths; Madrid-Barajas baggage system strikes could cause checked-luggage delays for travellers in late August and September. Overtourism Watch: A study flags Rimini, Italy as the country’s most touristed destination, raising sustainability concerns as visitor density climbs. Wildlife Incident: A bear attack injured a foreign tourist near Lake Towada in Japan, renewing calls for caution around wildlife areas.

Tourism Policy & Regulation: Christchurch is pushing for a national bed register after a ministry ruling that short-stay rentals need permission, with councillor Nathaniel Hertz Jardine arguing Airbnb-style use turns homes into de facto hotels. Destination Marketing: Palawan is rebranding to target Cebu and the Visayas, staging its tourism-and-trade expo in Cebu for the first time in 11 years (Oct. 23-25) to tap air links and local demand. Travel Disruption: North Vancouver Island operators say B.C. Ferries’ three-week mechanical outage between Port Hardy and Bella Coola is already triggering cancellations. Sports Tourism: South Dakota’s Yankton is banking on late-September/early-October world archery tournaments to bring international visitors and longer stays. Cruise & Pricing: Royal Caribbean’s latest onboard fee changes are being framed as the end of the “workaround economy,” tightening drink-package rules. Global Cooperation: BRICS tourism ministers adopted the Jaipur Declaration, focusing on AI, sustainability, skills and smoother travel facilitation. Infrastructure & Access: Vicksburg National Military Park has reopened key roads after six years of repairs following 2020 storm damage. Hotel & Heritage Development: The Stanley Hotel’s horror-film museum and expansion are now projected to finish early 2028, boosting Colorado’s visitor draw. Safety & Compliance: Maharashtra tightened adventure tourism rules after fatal incidents, urging registration and certification for operators.

Cruise & Ports: Morocco is repositioning for European cruise demand, banking on Casablanca’s new terminal plus Tangier and Agadir—though the key is keeping passengers in local economies, not just quick stopovers. New Openings: Four Seasons debuts its Red Sea Shura Island resort, while Birmingham’s historic Tutwiler Hotel reopens as a full-service DoubleTree by Hilton. Air Connectivity: The Philippines and Iceland signed an air services deal for seven weekly flights, and Malaysia is teaming with Malaysia Aviation Group to push Visit Malaysia Year 2026 demand via new routes and joint marketing. Tourism Growth & Spending: Durham County hit a record $1.17B in visitor spending in 2025, and St. Kitts and Nevis surpassed 1M cruise passengers again. Travel Tech: Payarc and RV Business Tech are embedding payments into RV park operations, while hotel brands roll out more AI search tools for planning. Policy & Taxes: Scotland’s Highlands is considering a £5-per-night tourist levy, and Portugal’s tourism “decoastalisation” debate highlights shifting investment inland. Safety & Disruption: Flash floods and storms are battering parts of Europe’s tourist belt, and multiple incidents—from fires to accidents—keep travel risk in focus.

Tourism Policy & Taxes: Fiji’s new 5% Tourism Services Tax for large operators kicks in Sept. 1, and travel groups say they weren’t consulted—raising fears that travellers with existing bookings could be hit with unexpected extra costs. Sports Tourism: Trinidad and Tobago is drafting a national sport tourism policy, aiming to build hotel hubs near major venues; meanwhile Laoag City announces it will host IRONMAN 70.3, betting on international visitors for local hospitality. Travel Tech & Safety: Nepal’s Annapurna I Base Camp route now uses a QR code for real-time safety and logistics info; Greece’s Ionian islands are leaning into greener, design-led stays as new resorts reshape the luxury map. Disaster Impact: After Japan’s Kumamoto earthquake, southwestern Japan saw about 174,000 hotel/ryokan cancellations, with subsidies planned across Kyushu. Payments & Cross-Border Convenience: China’s Weixin Pay is now usable in Cambodia via KHQR, smoothing payments for Chinese visitors. Destination Development: Vietnam is pushing interprovincial tourism networks to create longer, connected itineraries. Event-Driven Demand: Eurovision 2027 planning ramps up in Burgas with EUR 20m earmarked, while sports-themed cruises keep growing as fans add land stays around sailings. Infrastructure & Access: China’s new highway G331 is boosting tourism and local business in Jilin’s mountainous towns.

Tourism Operations & Safety: Nasugbu, Batangas reopened outdoor tourism after a one-day weather suspension, but visitors are urged to use authorized providers and follow local safety rules. Infrastructure & Environment: Fiji’s Denarau is facing recurring wastewater rising-main bursts, raising foul-odour and marine-risk concerns for one of the country’s key tourism corridors. Cruise Demand: St. Kitts welcomed 1,002,282 cruise passengers, topping one million for the first time since the pandemic. Public-Private Collaboration: Ghana’s tourism minister pushed for stronger public-private coordination to unlock Bono’s tourism potential and urged local MMDCs to identify, develop, and promote attractions. Aviation & Events: Zimbabwe began rehabilitation at Masvingo Airport ahead of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo 2026. Tourism Policy: Scotland’s Highlands proposed a £5-per-night visitor levy (with lower rates for hostels/campsites) for nine months, with a public consultation planned. Digital Payments for Travel: Tencent’s TenPay Global will let ShopeePay users pay via WeChat Pay QR codes across parts of Southeast Asia, aiming to smooth travel-era spending. Tourism Disruption: Spain’s La Manga area saw migrants storm a beach, triggering tourist evacuations and renewed security questions.

Sustainable Tourism Data Push: Greece’s Pieria is building a Digital Hub for Sustainable Tourism to track visitor flows, carrying capacity and environmental impact around Mount Olympus. Tourism Policy Reform: New Zealand’s tourism industry urged lawmakers to keep conservation as the core of a Conservation Amendment Bill, warning against wording that could tilt priorities toward development. Infrastructure for Travel: India’s Railway Ministry backed projects to expand rail access to tourism and heritage sites, while Bihar approved a highway to improve links to the Nepal border. Resort & Energy Upgrades: Vietnam’s Corona Resort in Phu Quoc is adding a 10MWh battery to a 3MW solar system to boost resilience for tourism demand. Safety Shock: A safari helicopter crash in northern Kenya killed seven, including five Americans and an Ecuador intelligence chief, as investigations begin. Local Tourism Disruption: Philippines’ Nasugbu suspended outdoor tourism due to monsoon flooding and calamity conditions. Hotel Market Shift: Seoul’s hotel scene is retooling for K-culture-driven international arrivals, with operators upgrading and rebranding for higher-spending guests. Legal/Platform Scrutiny: Jurors heard claims that Expedia offered illegal bookings on a Cuban island, as a trial begins.

Tourism Safety & Disruption: Nasugbu in Batangas suspended outdoor tourism and recreation (swimming, hiking, island excursions) amid flooding and poor weather, urging resorts and tour operators to halt risky activities. Visitor Levies: Scotland’s Highlands is considering a £5-per-room, per-night visitor levy (with £2 for hostels/campsites) for nine months to fund roads and visitor facilities, with providers keeping 5% for admin. Air Connectivity: Cyprus Airways added winter Larnaca–Rome and Larnaca–Munich routes plus more Larnaca–Heraklion frequency, expanding year-round links. Travel Media & Tech: The Renaissance Traveler launched a multimedia-first experiential travel platform, while Vibe Adventures rolled out real-time dynamic packaging that bundles multi-day tours with flights. Local Tourism Development: Perlis (Malaysia) is exploring Brunei and Bangkok collaboration to boost border tourism and attract five-star hotel investors; Bohol inspected TIEZA-funded Panglao safety and access projects. Major Incidents: A British tourist died after struggling while swimming near Marathonisi off Zakynthos; a helicopter crash in Kenya’s Samburu killed all onboard. Accommodation & Revenue: Slovakia reported Q2 2026 accommodation revenues topping €183m (ex-VAT), up 11% year-on-year.