Tourism News

The 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market opened on September 13, 2026, in Lagos, focusing on sports tourism and AFCON 2027. The event features the return of the African Tour Operators’ Summit and the Africa Travel 100 Awards.

Zanzibar saw 124,481 tourist arrivals in August 2026, an 18% rise from the previous year. Europe accounted for 58.1% of arrivals, with air travel comprising 92% of entry modes.

GCC states welcomed over 75 million tourists in 2025, with tourism spending reaching $131 billion. Saudi Arabia attracted nearly 40% of visitors, receiving 30 million international tourists.

The 2026 China Culture & Tourism Industries Expo opened on September 3 in Tianjin with 2,540 enterprises from 20 countries. Trip.com Group launched Trip Music Award 2 and the "Set Off for Tianjin" International Zone debuted, expanding inbound tourism promotion.

ITE Ho Chi Minh City 2026 drew 47,960 visitors and featured over 520 exhibitors from 32 countries and 34 Vietnamese provinces. The event also hosted three Mekong sub-region tourism ministerial meetings and showcased 15 forums on tourism innovation.

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism is a strategic partner for WTM Spotlight Riyadh 2026, held 8-10 September at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center. The event aims to connect global tourism businesses and advance Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets.

Guangdong has launched a 30 million yuan tourism subsidy campaign effective from September 11 to October 31, 2026, targeting residents and visitors alike. The program covers discounts up to 500 yuan on hotels, tours, cruises, and wellness travel during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays.

Cuba’s international tourist arrivals fell 62% to 419,000 in the first seven months of 2026. The decline is linked to the economic crisis and U.S. sanctions affecting airlines and hotel operators.

More than 75 million tourists visited GCC countries in 2025, with Saudi Arabia welcoming 30 million international tourists. GCC ministers met in Manama in 2026 to plan joint recovery actions and future tourism integration under the GCC Strategy 2023-2030.

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism is the Strategic Partner for the inaugural WTM Spotlight Riyadh event held September 8-10, 2026 at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center. The event supports Vision 2030 ambitions to grow tourism and strengthen global industry ties.