Destinations

Tourism in Northern Ireland is expanding driven by growing visitor numbers from the Irish Republic. The hospitality sector is also seeing record growth aided by new VAT measures.

Japan experienced a decline of over 5% in foreign visitors in April 2026, mainly due to a sharp drop in travelers from mainland China. This development has disrupted the tourism economies of Tokyo and Osaka.

Airfares for flights from the USA to Europe have increased recently, influenced mainly by higher fuel costs. Travelers should expect elevated ticket prices on transatlantic flights.

Rendez-vous Canada 2026, held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, has started in Toronto with participation from major tourism industry leaders across multiple countries. The event highlights Canada’s role as a central hub in the global tourism trade.

Mexico will participate in ITB Americas 2026, the largest B2B travel event in the Americas, held November 10-12 in Guadalajara. The event includes several American and Caribbean countries.

France, Thailand, and Indonesia are adopting AI-driven tools to improve travel planning and hotel digital experiences. These innovations aim to help travelers make more informed decisions.

Shiji Horizon Distribution and Kismet have partnered to launch an AI-powered platform that enhances hotel search and direct bookings worldwide. The platform aims to simplify hotel discovery and reservation using advanced technology.

American Airlines will introduce new transatlantic routes from Philadelphia and Dallas in summer 2026. This expansion seeks to reduce cancellations and improve flight reliability for travelers crossing between the U.S. and Europe.

Airspace disruptions impacting Turkey and other Middle East countries in 2026 have caused notable flight cancellations and route diversions. These changes have also prompted shifts in tourism patterns across the region.

Hotel prices in Spain rose by 7.5% in 2026, driven by elevated summer travel demand. This increase has placed Spain’s accommodation costs higher than the EU average.