Destinations

Madrid’s international tourist spending reached €10 billion in the first half of 2026, a rise of 11.4% from 2025, with visitor numbers increasing by 4.1%. The city recorded over 5.6 million visitors and has increased tourism employment by more than 5% this year.

Five major visa programs worldwide will implement significant regulatory and procedural changes by 2027. These include reforms to the H-1B lottery system, ETIAS travel authorization, EB-5 investment thresholds, Golden Visa policies in Europe, and U.S. student visa regulations.

Madrid recorded £8.5 billion in tourism spending during the first half of 2026, driven by 5.6 million visitors. Overseas tourists made up 59% of arrivals, boosting employment by over 5%.

Vietnam's National Authority of Tourism partnered with VFS Global in 2026 to boost international tourism promotion. Vietnam targets 25 million international visitors in 2026 and aims for 45-50 million by 2030.

By 2027, five major visa programs will operate under markedly different rules affecting applications and eligibility. Changes include a wage-based lottery for H-1B visas and new ETIAS requirements for entry to Europe.

Phu Tho Province attracted over 10.5 million tourists and generated US$410 million in tourism revenue in the first half of 2026. The surge was aided by viral digital content and government campaigns enhancing service quality.

From August 2026, the UK government expands the Global Talent Visa to include over 100 commercial research-intensive businesses. The move supports innovation across sectors like AI, life sciences, and clean energy.

A video by Nguyen Duy Tu, Party Secretary of Van Son Commune, generated nearly one million views in one day, prompting increased tourism interest. Phu Tho Province aims for 15 million visitors and US$621 million revenue by the end of 2026 through a digital tourism strategy.

The UK expanded its Global Talent visa in August 2026, allowing over 100 commercial research firms to sponsor international researchers. This move targets innovation in clean energy, life sciences, AI, and quantum technologies.

On August 5, 2026, the UK expanded its Global Talent visa to allow over 100 companies, including AstraZeneca and Jaguar Land Rover, to sponsor top researchers. This supports innovation across sectors like clean energy, AI, and life sciences.