Tourism News

The 2026 China Culture & Tourism Industries Expo commenced in Tianjin on September 9, 2026. The event featured broad international participation from culture and tourism sectors.

ITE Ho Chi Minh City 2026 attracted 47,960 visitors and featured more than 520 exhibitors across 410 booths. The event included Mekong sub-region tourism ministerial meetings and over 21,000 business meetings.

Zanzibar saw 124,481 tourist arrivals in August 2026, an 18 percent increase from August 2025, with a hotel bed occupancy rate of 92.9 percent. Improvements in infrastructure, peace, and immigration technology have contributed to the tourism growth, officials report.

Guangdong launches a 30 million yuan tourism subsidy campaign for the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays. The program targets diverse tourism products and visitors from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and overseas to boost spending and support industry recovery.

GCC countries recorded more than 75 million tourist arrivals in 2025, with tourism spending rising to $131 billion. Saudi Arabia hosted 30 million international visitors, representing nearly 40% of the region's total.

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has partnered with WTM Spotlight Riyadh for the first event in September 2026. The event supports Vision 2030 goals by connecting Saudi Arabia's tourism sector with global markets.

ITE Ho Chi Minh City 2026 drew 47,960 visitors and set a new record with over 520 exhibitors and 21,000 B2B meetings. The event featured three simultaneous Mekong sub-region ministerial meetings and expanded startup activities.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism is the Strategic Partner for WTM Spotlight Riyadh 2026, running 8-10 September at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center. The event will connect global tourism businesses with the Kingdom to support Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.

Cuba's tourism sector experienced a 62% decline in international arrivals during the first seven months of 2026, falling to 419,000 visitors. This decline is driven by the country's economic crisis, U.S. sanctions, airline suspensions, and payment service withdrawals.

More than 75 million tourists visited GCC countries in 2025, with Saudi Arabia receiving nearly 40% of these visitors. Tourism spending in the region topped $131 billion, contributing 11.4% to the GCC GDP.