AGP Executive Report

Saudi B2B Travel: WTM Spotlight Riyadh names Fairmont Ramla and Fairmont Riyadh as Official Hotel Partners and Almosafer as Official Journey Partner for the Sept. 8–10, 2026 event, aiming to connect global buyers with Saudi tourism under Vision 2030. Oman Heritage Tourism: Dhofar’s Beit Kofan in Taqah is positioned as a sustainable, heritage-led guesthouse model blending local history, artifacts and traditional architecture. Ghana Tourism Numbers: Ghana reported 1.304M international arrivals in 2025 and GH¢4.34B revenue, plus 1.79M domestic visits, while pushing major projects like the Marine Drive waterfront redevelopment. Accra Culture Infrastructure: Ghana plans to review and revive the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre via a new U.S. agreement, linking cultural diplomacy with tourism and diaspora ties. Bahrain Sector Push: Bahrain’s tourism board reviewed Q2 performance and events, with continued focus on private partnerships and MICE growth. Safety & Disruption: Big Sur’s Timber fire forced evacuations of Ventana, Nepenthe and Post Ranch Inn; Greece issued heightened alert ahead of pro-Palestinian protests; and at Skiathos Airport, a tourist was seriously injured by jet blast. Travel Incentives: Abu Dhabi offers complimentary UAE entry visas to eligible Indian holiday bookings with at least a three-night stay.

UAE Visa Push for Indians: Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism is offering complimentary UAE entry visas for Indian travellers booking a package with at least three consecutive nights in the emirate, running Aug 1–Oct 31, 2026 (up to 20,000 visas via participating travel partners). Air Connectivity Boost: Jeju Air says China demand is surging, adding capacity on Korea–China routes as younger and independent travellers drive higher load factors. New Route Growth: China Southern Airlines opened an office in Yerevan to expand Armenia–China air links, citing growing passenger and tourism interest. Travel Disruption Watch: Indonesia’s Mount Bromo area is under pressure as a wildfire spreads toward residential areas, prompting closures and firefighting efforts. Tourism Policy & Costs: Edinburgh’s visitor levy is live, adding 5% to rented accommodation for up to five nights, with businesses warning about competitiveness and rollout. Tourism Safety & Health: A UK study finds only 8% of holidaymakers check rabies risk before travel, despite the disease being present in many popular destinations. Local Travel Development: Perak reported RM15.2b in investments and 10.1m tourists in 2025, while Selangor targets 9m visitors for 2026 after Visit Selangor Year 2025’s momentum. Tourism Experience Trends: A UK survey says screen-inspired “set-jetting” is booming, with many travellers planning trips around films and TV locations.

Mega-Project Launch: Qatari Diar kicked off Phase One of Alam Al Roum on Egypt’s North Coast, a $29.7bn mixed-use coastal city with first handovers targeted for 2030. Visitor Safety & Security: The Philippines named retired police general Rodolfo Azurin as undersecretary to lead DOT visitor safety and security initiatives. Tourism Growth Watch: WTTC says Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism sector is about 14.1% of GDP, with the Middle East forecast to be the fastest-growing region for travel through 2036. Disaster Disruption: Indonesia shut Mount Bromo to tourists as wildfire spread in the caldera, with ticket holders offered rescheduling or refunds. Travel Risk on the Road: A German tour bus overturned in Norway, injuring at least four passengers. Heritage & Pilgrimage: India approved ₹10 crore to restore Bhaderwah’s Rattan Garh Fort, aiming to boost heritage tourism. Cruise Demand: Yucatán expects to top 500,000 cruise passengers at Progreso in 2026, with port upgrades planned to expand capacity by 2027. Overtourism Pressure: Protesters marched in Mallorca’s Soller against mass tourism and rising local costs. U.S. Park Fees: Foreign visitors will pay an extra $100 to enter U.S. national parks starting January 2026 under a new policy.

Tourism Safety & Security: The Philippines’ Department of Tourism named retired police general Rodolfo Azurin as undersecretary to lead visitor safety and security initiatives, while a Malaysia Airlines co-pilot detention in Indonesia over alleged drug trafficking is prompting calls to tighten pilot and crew screening. Wildfire Disruptions: Indonesia shut all access to Mount Bromo and suspended tourism activities as a forest fire spreads, with visitors able to reschedule or seek refunds. Health Warnings for Travelers: A UK marine charity says hundreds of beachgoers have fallen sick at multiple coastal spots, including blue-flag beaches, raising concerns about polluted waters. Aviation & Risk: A helicopter sightseeing crash in Rio de Janeiro killed four, including three Colombian women from the same family, and authorities are urging tighter oversight of helicopter flights. Policy & Industry Moves: Jordan reported 3.15 million visitors and JD 2.47 billion in tourism revenue in H1 2026, and Bangladesh is seeking visa-on-arrival access from Indonesia to boost travel links. Global Tourism Partnerships: The World Governments Summit Organisation and WTTC launched a strategic partnership to shape future travel policy and support sustainable growth. Tourism Demand & Overtourism: Mallorca faces renewed anti-tourism protests as residents push back against mass crowds and housing pressure. Travel Fraud/Scams: Reports allege “agro-tourism” investment schemes in Bangladesh have collected money from the public with delayed withdrawals.

Helicopter Safety Shock (Brazil): A sightseeing helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro’s Tijuca National Park killed four people, including three Colombian women from the same family, prompting calls for tighter oversight of tourist helicopter flights. Volcanic Disruption (Italy): Sicily’s Catania airport resumed arrivals after Mount Etna’s ash forced a suspension, with operations gradually restored as alert levels eased. Tourism Planning Tightens (Greece): A new spatial tourism plan would categorize destinations, set minimum plot sizes for new hotels, and add stricter rules for islands, coastal construction, and short-term rentals. Tourism Investment Uncertainty (Jamaica): Jamaica’s hotel and tourism association says a proposed rise in the sector’s GCT from 10% to 15% is making investors hesitate. Regional Growth Numbers (Jordan/India): Jordan reported 3.15m visitors and nearly JD2.47b in tourism revenue in H1 2026; India’s Ladakh topped 3.3 lakh arrivals in the first seven months, nearing 2025 totals. Policy & Visa Pressure (US): The White House issued new executive orders aimed at curbing “birth tourism,” tightening scrutiny of nonimmigrant entries tied to childbirth. Adventure Branding (J&K): Jammu and Kashmir won “Best Adventure Tourism Destination” at TTF Ahmedabad, highlighting trekking, rafting, skiing and experiential tourism. Airline Disruption (Rome): Biman passengers stranded in Rome received hotel support while engineers worked on a technical fault delaying the Toronto–Rome–Dhaka route. Wildfire/Heat Impacts (Italy): At least 200 people were evacuated as a wildfire threatened Lake Garda tourism areas.

Transport Enforcement: The Philippines’ LTFRB suspended a taxi operator for 30 days after a viral incident in which a driver allegedly overcharged a foreign tourist P2,000 for a short NAIA trip and let another passenger ride; the operator must surrender the plate and submit an explanation at a hearing on Aug. 19, with the driver ordered to undergo a drug test. Sports Tourism Tech: The Philippines launched Golaman, a new online booking platform covering 79 golf courses, aiming to boost golf travel and sports tourism as it rolls out fully by Sept. 15. Security & Yatra Readiness: India’s Jammu and Kashmir tourism areas face a proposed security overhaul after a deadly Pahalgam attack, with calls for CCTV coverage, centralized monitoring, vulnerability assessments, security audits, and clearer inter-agency procedures. Beach Health Warning: UK marine charity Surfers Against Sewage says hundreds of tourists reported falling ill after visiting Blue Flag beaches, with sickness reports rising during the summer heatwave. Disruption & Weather: Typhoon Dolphin hit Japan’s Okinawa, injuring people and cutting power, while authorities in eastern China shut ports and closed schools and tourist sites. Tourism Growth Data: Armenia reported 1,041,598 visitors in the first half of 2026, up 14.8%, with overnight stays totaling 31.3 million. Destination Marketing: Zimbabwe plans to intensify international tourism promotion by deploying additional tourism attaches in key source markets as airline capacity expands. Overtourism Tensions: Mallorca’s Soller held a mass protest against “mass tourism,” targeting holiday rentals, hire cars, and transport and parking strain.

U.S. Citizenship Crackdown: After a Supreme Court win on birthright citizenship, President Trump signed new executive orders aimed at “birth tourism,” but legal experts warn the rules may be unconstitutional and could complicate legitimate travel for medical care. Travel Safety & Disruption: Puerto Rico’s San Juan is rolling out 48-hour water outages amid severe drought, with cruise operations and tourists scrambling to adjust plans. Border Controls: Spain will temporarily add random identity checks for tourists arriving from Italy by sea and air, starting Aug. 8 through early September. Tourism Fraud Alert: Italy is investigating a Booking.com scam where criminals allegedly hijacked a real property profile and sold a fake Rome apartment. Local Tourism Boosts: DeKalb County, Alabama, expects major hotel demand from the 127 Yard Sale, while Kyrgyzstan extended a cultural tourism product competition deadline to Oct. 20, 2026. Wildfire Impact: Chelan County, Washington, says the Little Giant Fire is already cutting August tourism by about 10% so far.

US Policy Shock: President Trump signed two executive orders aimed at limiting birthright citizenship and cracking down on “birth tourism,” directing visa and entry actions and narrowing who qualifies for automatic citizenship after a Supreme Court setback. Safety & Enforcement: Malaysia’s Sabah stepped up enforcement against foreign “tourists” abusing social passes to run illegal businesses, while India’s Karnataka police checked tourist-vehicle panic buttons that failed to trigger alerts. Tourism Security Threats: Corsican separatists released a video warning tourists and second-home buyers to stay away, escalating tensions around visitor safety. Local Tourism Moves: Penang declared a floating mosque its “State Tourism Mosque,” Sri Lanka’s Colombo kite festival expands into a week-long international event, and Bengaluru’s KSTDC opened its Ambaari double-decker bus for private hire. Overtourism Debate: Malta’s tourism authority chief sparked backlash by saying the island doesn’t have an overtourism problem, despite resident complaints. Infrastructure & Growth: Madrid reported record €10bn+ international tourism spend in six months, and Ladakh approved India’s first high-altitude wildlife safari to curb off-roading.

US Immigration Crackdown: President Donald Trump signed new executive orders aimed at narrowing birthright citizenship and banning “birth tourism,” after the Supreme Court struck down his earlier attempt in June. The White House says the orders target children born in the US to certain categories tied to “alien enemies,” foreign terrorist organizations, and people accused of fraudulent entry, while also directing agencies to deny entry and revoke visas for those entering to give birth for citizenship. South Africa Tourism Resilience: Despite anti-foreigner sentiment, South Africa recorded 5.5 million international arrivals in the first half of 2026, up 12.3% year-on-year, with June arrivals rising 9.8% and the US remaining the top overseas market. Tourism Trade & Networking: Tourism Australia’s Southeast Asia platform drew nearly 200 delegates in Kuala Lumpur, while Skål International Bangkok held a healthcare-insurance focused networking lunch for tourism professionals. Local Visitor Experiences: Oldham County’s “Hometown Tourist” program continues to turn residents into visitors, and a new immersive Japanese dining concept in Virginia leans into Tokyo-style alleyway design. Travel Safety & Disruption: Central London saw a stabbing incident in Covent Garden described by police as an “isolated, mental health” attack.

Tourism Safety & Heritage: Penang’s tourism body is urging the state to roll out a full safety plan for UNESCO-listed George Town, including inspections and incentives for owners of pre-war buildings after a beam collapse injured two Sri Lankan tourists. Tourism Growth & Numbers: Penang also reported 967,742 international hotel guests in Q1 2026, ranking third in Malaysia, while WTTC said global travel and tourism investment topped $1 trillion in 2025 for the first time since 2019. Overtourism Pressure: Bibury in the Cotswolds saw parking fines jump 2,000% to £45,000-a-year as locals complain the village is overrun by visitors. Climate & Disruption: Budapest dimmed major landmarks during a heatwave to save energy as drought hit the Danube-linked nuclear cooling system; Danube shipping is also suffering from record low water levels. Payments & Travel Convenience: UnionPay International and Pesapal expanded card acceptance across Tanzania and Rwanda, adding thousands of tourism and retail merchant locations. Accessibility & Airports: Changi and SATS began deploying autonomous wheelchairs to help passengers with reduced mobility move through terminals more independently. Sustainable Tourism: Exmoor launched “Pay with Exmoor Care,” rewarding eco-friendly actions with discounts at park centres. Family Travel: Riyadh Air partnered with Disney for children’s amenity kits and onboard Disney+ entertainment. Airline Updates: LATAM unveiled the cabin for its new Embraer E195-E2 fleet, adding Premium Economy options, satellite connectivity and enhanced entertainment.

Tourism Pulse: Anchorage is riding a record-breaking summer, with Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport hitting its busiest day ever (14,500+ passengers through security on Aug. 1) and Visit Anchorage citing tourism’s growing local impact. Volcano Watch: In the Philippines, Mayon’s alert level was lowered from 3 to 2 after a sustained decline in unrest, allowing displaced families to return home. Aviation Reliability: Vanuatu’s Santo still isn’t getting dependable domestic connectivity, with ESTA saying disruptions and cargo limits persist despite claims the crisis is “over.” Travel Safety & Health: Mexico is testing food and water at hotels in Quintana Roo after UK-linked cyclosporiasis cases; in London’s Covent Garden, a woman was arrested after four men were stabbed in what police described as an isolated, mental-health related incident. Policy & Infrastructure: Russia’s road-safety law changes now let regions decide which buses can use allocated lanes to improve tourist transport predictability. Cultural Tourism: Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Museum drew a record 945,000 foreign visitors in fiscal 2025, underscoring renewed global interest amid nuclear-era tensions. Destination Development: Hangzhou approved plans to expand West Lake’s protected area and add more public spaces, aiming to boost heritage access and “digital tourism.”

Tourism Investment Pulse: WTTC says global travel and tourism investment topped $1 trillion in 2025, up 8.5% year-on-year, with the sector adding a record $11.6 trillion to GDP—highlighting why connectivity and destination spending matter. UAE Visitor Tech: The UAE’s Digital Tourist VAT Refund System keeps expanding, adding 449 retail outlets in H1 2026 and bringing connected stores to about 19,340, with 100 refund kiosks in place. Short-Stay Visa Boost: Oman introduced a free 14-day tourist visa for eligible nationalities, aiming to make quick trips easier and lift tourism demand. Regional Tourism Growth: Türkiye welcomed 25.8 million international visitors in the first half of 2026, keeping tourism revenue steady at $25.8 billion despite regional airspace disruptions. Film Tourism, With Guardrails: Sicily’s Favignana is banking on Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” to draw more visitors, while trying to avoid overtourism with a planned permanent exhibition. Safety & Disruption Watch: Penang will assess structural safety of heritage buildings after debris injured two tourists, while South Africa’s Table Mountain Aerial Cableway says a fire delayed maintenance but expects to reopen soon. Security & Crowds: Benidorm is adding joint French-Spanish-style tourist policing patrols to reinforce visitor safety during peak season.

Tourism Diplomacy: Jamaica and Ghana signed new cooperation deals spanning health, trade, and tourism during a high-level visit to Kingston. Tourism Growth Watch: Syria says visitor numbers more than doubled in the first half of 2026, but its revival hinges on security and service capacity. Spending Surge: South Korea reports a big jump in foreign tourist spending in H1 2026, boosted by Chinese arrivals and a medical travel boom. Responsible Tourism Debate: A forum in Brazil’s Tabajaras area challenged “favela tourism” models, pushing for community-engaged, inclusion-focused tours. Festival & Deals: Windsor announced a weeklong “Prohibition Week” celebration; Greece opened applications for its “Tourism for All” voucher scheme; and Valdosta rolled out a bundled “Visit Valdosta Pass” for top attractions. Safety & Disruption: Nashville is weighing retractable bollards after a pedestrian crash; Australia’s Phillip Island faces bird-flu fears that could devastate penguins; and Kosovo was told to pause Lake Ujman demolitions pending court rulings. Eco & Heritage: Egypt is developing Nabq Nature Reserve as a sustainable ecotourism model, while South Sudan plans to use its new UNESCO World Heritage listing to boost conservation and jobs.

Visa & Entry Simplification: Oman rolled out a free 14-day tourist visa for eligible nationalities, while Egypt launched an electronic visa-on-arrival using a QR code to speed entry. Tourism Policy Pressure: Kenya introduced mandatory inbound travel health insurance for foreign visitors (minimum $50,000 cover), raising fears it could dent competitiveness. Market Momentum: South Korea reported a big jump in foreign spending in H1 2026, led by Chinese visitors and a surge in medical tourism; Croatia also saw Czech, Hungarian and Italian arrivals bounce. Destination Stewardship: WTTC urged destinations to manage tourism growth for shared benefits, with “quick actions” for peak-season pressures. Safety & Disruption: Penang’s George Town saw two Sri Lankan tourists injured after debris fell from a heritage building; Guatemala declared an emergency after Fuego erupted and evacuations began. Events Driving Travel: Malaysia is pitching a “Mega Sports Weekend” in October to boost sports tourism, and NASA’s “Salute to America 250” air show at Kennedy Space Center is expected to lift hotel demand. Infrastructure & Growth: Sabah proposed moving tourism to Malaysia’s Concurrent List for tighter federal-state coordination; Sri Lanka plans to develop Delft Island as a sustainable tourism hub.

Tourism Policy & Visas: Oman rolled out a free 14-day tourist visa for citizens of 100+ countries, with eligibility tied to tourism-only entry requirements. Travel Safety: A seaplane crash near North Bimini in the Bahamas left 10 people (8 passengers, 2 crew) safe after it struck a dock and sank; authorities say heavy boat traffic forced a course change. Tourism Safety & Search: Greek authorities are still searching off Symi after a yacht incident swept seven German tourists into the sea; one man remains missing. Overtourism Costs: Edinburgh introduced a 5% visitor levy on accommodation (capped at five nights), adding to the growing trend of city tourism taxes. Sustainable Tourism: Miami-Dade linked its zero-waste push with the hospitality industry via the Green Key Global program to cut waste at tourist venues. Infrastructure & Access: Tanzania opened plans for a Plaza Premium lounge at Julius Nyerere International Airport to improve the premium airport experience. Local Tourism & Culture: Abu Dhabi confirmed Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will open 11 Dec 2026, boosting Saadiyat’s cultural draw. Tourism Economy: Andalucia reported record first-half 2026 arrivals and spending, with more visitors but shorter stays. Disruption Watch: Nighttime southbound I-5 lane closures in Vancouver (Aug 4-5) will affect travelers with right-lane and Exit 9 ramp shutdowns.

Oman Tourism Push: Oman launched the “Dhofar is Something Else” campaign to boost Khareef 2026 travel, aiming for higher hotel occupancy and more family visitors. Korea Medical Tourism Boom: Korea’s foreign card spending shows medical tourism surged 98% year-on-year in H1, led by Seoul, as travelers mix treatment with shopping and leisure. Maldives Resort Dominance: Maldives arrivals hit 184,734 in July (+46% month-on-month), with resorts taking about 73% of visitors; overall arrivals remain slightly below last year. Peru Nazca Crash: Peru temporarily suspended Aerodiana after a sightseeing plane crash near the Nazca Lines killed 13, pending an investigation into regulatory compliance. UK Tourist Tax Backlash: UK Hospitality urged Andy Burnham to drop plans to expand a “tourist tax,” warning it could cost 33,000 tourism jobs. Türkiye Food Spend: Foreign visitors in Türkiye spent nearly $6B on food and beverages in the first half of 2026, underscoring dining as a major travel draw. Safety & Disruption Watch: FAAN said there was no fire at Lagos airport after an FM-200 system discharge caused smoke.