Skift Take Connecticut is taking advantage of the publicity around Visit Florida's LGBTQ Travel page removal to signal its commitment to inclusivity. Dawit Habtemariam Connecticut has launched a new campaign in response to Visit Florida taking down its “LGBTQ Travel” page. “We decided to do this now in response to what we saw coming out of Florida, and we knew … [Read more...]

Skift Take We all read about Saudi Arabia's ambitious giga-projects and want for international tourists, but for now, business is still coming from more traditional sources. Josh Corder Saudis are exploring their own country in bigger numbers and foreigners are bringing the cash. That’s the takeaway from a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the state … [Read more...]

Skift Take While China’s visa exemptions simplify travel, they alone cannot bring back 2019’s robust visitor numbers. Without a full recovery of flight capacity, particularly in top markets, the tourism boost China is hoping for may remain out of reach. Peden Doma Bhutia Norwegian citizens will no longer need a visa to enter China for visits up to 15 days. The policy … [Read more...]

Skift Take The travel industry is rapidly evolving, and the State of Travel 2024 report provides comprehensive insights into the key trends and shifts shaping its future. Varsha Arora The travel industry has continued to thrive in 2024, with businesses experiencing healthy growth and strong profit margins. However, as the industry evolves, it faces new challenges and … [Read more...]

Skift Take For Rome's tourism chief, cracking down on short-term rentals and managing visitor traffic at Trevi Fountain are the top priorities when it comes to combatting overtourism. Dawit Habtemariam Rome is looking to clamp down on overcrowding and tourist misbehavior at the Trevi Fountain, one of the world’s most iconic and popular attractions, with a reservation … [Read more...]

Skift Take Japan's casino dreams are ramping up as Osaka IR takes a leap of faith, ditching its exit clause. But with rising costs and public doubts, the stakes are sky-high. Will this gamble succeed, or is Japan risking a costly blunder in a competitive market? Peden Doma Bhutia Japan appears on track to welcome its first casino by 2030. Osaka IR, the operator of … [Read more...]

Skift Take Greece's prime minister acknowledged there's an overtourism problem in his country that needs to be addressed but he thinks it's only confined to Santorini and Mykonos. Dawit Habtemariam Greece plans to tax cruise passengers that step foot on the islands Santorini and Mykonos and ban new short-term rentals in three of Athens’ central districts, the prime … [Read more...]

Skift Take South Africa’s visa reform relies on vetted tour operators to streamline approvals for Indian and Chinese tourists. While this approach may reduce bottlenecks, it raises concerns about limiting independent travelers and whether operators can manage increased demand effectively. Peden Doma Bhutia South Africa has its sights set on two of the world’s … [Read more...]

Skift Take A tourist attraction has cut ties with Visit Florida over its LGTBQ Travel removal. It's only one but more could follow, putting pressure on the organization to change course. Dawit Habtemariam Stonewall National Museum & Archives has ended its decade-old membership with Visit Florida after the organization removed its LGBTQ Travel page. “As a … [Read more...]

Skift Take A growing wave of environmental pressures is pushing the travel industry toward rapid transformation. Deloitte's latest report offers insights into how companies can adapt or risk extinction in an increasingly eco-conscious market. Deloitte This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner. Navigating the implications of climate … [Read more...]

Skift Take The Trevi Fountain could be the latest world-renowned attraction to limit access to tourists after a summer of overtourism. Dawit Habtemariam Tourists may no longer be able to see Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain whenever they want or for free. City officials are considering adding a reservation system to better manage visitor flows. Under the proposed … [Read more...]

This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner. In today’s dynamic travel landscape, destination organizations face a myriad of challenges that require innovative solutions and robust support. They are tasked with promoting their destinations amid rapidly changing consumer behaviors, heightened competition, ongoing impacts of political and economic uncertainty, and … [Read more...]

Skift Take Saudi Arabia has only been courting international visitors for a few years, but under Al Khateeb, it’s become one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism sectors. Josh Corder It’s February 2020 and Ahmed Al Khateeb was just been named the first-ever minister of tourism for Saudi Arabia. He didn’t know it yet, but there was a global pandemic just weeks away. … [Read more...]

Alex Dichter is set to retire as leader of McKinsey’s global travel practice this year, but he’s not leaving the industry any time soon. He’ll be board chairman for HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), which provides cruise expeditions. Dichter has the ears of leaders in the aviation and cruise industries, along with other stakeholders in the travel industry. McKinsey’s forecast, advice and … [Read more...]

Heritage Group chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio has spent decades focused on the top end of luxury travel, from ultra-expensive cruises, to private jet tours, to off-the-beaten-track safari tours for the rich.  He’s best known as being chairman and former owner of Silversea Cruises, a company founded by his father based out of Monaco. The business started in 1994 with two ships – today … [Read more...]

Skift Take Dixon has proven he’s willing to fight for the travel industry. Now he’s got a much bigger budget. Dawit Habtemariam Fred Dixon has won a lot of fans during his 30 years in the tourism industry, in large part because of his willingness to fight for the interests of travel businesses. The support will serve him well as he starts his new role leading … [Read more...]

Skift Take More than 65% of Indian population is aged below 35. With increasing spending power, these young travelers make for a large potential traveler base. Bulbul Dhawan Indian Gen Z and Millennials prefer to travel in the off-peak season to avoid crowds and reduce costs, according to a report by online visa application platform Atlys. Young travelers are … [Read more...]

Skift Take New Zealand's government doesn't think the increased entry fee will put off travelers, but it just made the country's ongoing efforts to to make a full recovery from the pandemic a bit more difficult. Rashaad Jorden New Zealand announced Tuesday it would nearly triple entry fees for tourists: On October 1, the International Visitor Conservation and … [Read more...]

Skift Take Thailand’s tourism recovery though impressive is also fragile. Competition from neighboring countries and global conflicts could disrupt growth. Peden Doma Bhutia Thailand expects nearly 36 million foreign tourists this year, surpassing its initial target of 35 million. This growth is a positive sign for the country’s tourism economy, with foreign tourism … [Read more...]

India’s Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) has entered into a three-year partnership with global payments gateway Visa. The agreement is valued at around $1 million, with the aim to skill at least 20,000 youth for tourism-related jobs, according to the ministry of skill development.  As part of the partnership, youths from 10 Indian states, including Assam, Gujarat, Himachal … [Read more...]