The aircraft landed safely at Évreux. According to the French prime minister’s office, all 151 passengers and six crew members were taken to safety while bomb disposal teams inspected the plane. Aer Lingus said it would work to get passengers to their final destination as quickly as possible.

Aer Lingus flight #EI402 (Dublin – Rome) is diverting to Evreux Fauville Air Base, with squawk 7700. https://t.co/acg3BCwzKM

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) November 5, 2026

The threats mainly targeted low-cost carriers and flights to or from Bulgaria, Czechia and Italy. In Bulgaria, three Ryanair flights bound for Sofia, from Madrid, Copenhagen and London Stansted, were escorted by fighter jets. The London flight was diverted to Plovdiv. In Prague, four flights operated by Ryanair, easyJet and Sky Express received threats sent by email from anonymous addresses, according to the airport. No explosives were found. “We perceive the credibility of the threats as low,” Czech police said, adding that all necessary security measures had nonetheless been activated.

In Italy, a Finnair flight from Helsinki was escorted into Rome Fiumicino by Italian Air Force jets and landed normally. A Wizz Air flight from Milan to Warsaw was diverted to Vienna. A second Wizz Air service, from Milan to Bucharest, landed safely and was inspected on arrival. Flights from Thessaloniki and Porto to Milan Malpensa were also targeted.

Elsewhere, a second Finnair flight, from Helsinki to Vienna, landed as planned. Austrian police said Vienna Airport had received an email with a threat aimed at four flights. A LOT Polish Airlines flight from Warsaw to Brussels also landed as scheduled, and the airline said no suspicious items were found. In Denmark, police searched two aircraft at Copenhagen Airport.

Controlli in corso sul volo Helsinki-Roma della compagnia Finnair dopo l’allarme bomba scattato nella mattinata di giovedì 5 novembre. L’aereo è atterrato nello scalo di Fiumicino scortato dai jet dell’Aereonautica Militare. https://t.co/bemA1a6OLy

— Local Team (@localteamit) November 5, 2026

Thursday marks the third day of bomb alerts on European flights this week. On Monday, a Wizz Air flight from London to Sofia was diverted to Budapest. On Tuesday, around ten flights were targeted, leading to a brief closure of Warsaw airport and the scrambling of air force jets near Rome. In total, more than 20 hoax threats have been reported since Monday, at least seven of them involving Ryanair. No explosives have been found on any aircraft.

The UK government has described the incidents as malicious hoaxes. Marco Chan, an aviation expert at Kingston University, told the BBC that the threats were “most likely a hoax, but the system is right to treat it as real”.

The origin and motives behind the threats remain unknown. The wave comes as Europe faces a growing number of hybrid attacks, some of which authorities have linked to Russia or Iran. Recent incidents include cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems in several countries, drone incursions, and fake warnings sent through hacked public alert apps in Russia and Ukraine.

L’article Hoax bomb threats disrupt flights across Europe for the third time this week est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The new strategy brings together initiatives covering skills, digitalisation, investment, connectivity and crisis preparedness. Its central ambition is to maintain Europe’s position as the world’s leading tourism destination while giving greater weight to the value tourism creates for residents, workers and businesses.

The economic stakes are substantial. According to the Commission, tourism contributes around 10% of the EU’s gross value added, supports more than 20 million jobs and encompasses five million businesses, 99% of them small and medium-sized enterprises. Yet the sector faces overlapping pressures, from labour shortages and climate change to geopolitical instability and uneven visitor flows.

“Tourism is one of Europe’s greatest strategic economic assets,” said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. With the strategy, he said, the Commission is giving the sector the recognition it deserves on the EU policy agenda and bringing businesses, destinations and public authorities around a common vision.

From a shared ambition to a European framework

The much-awaited strategy arrives after its presentation was postponed several times throughout 2026. Initially expected in the spring, its adoption on 4 November marks the culmination of a lengthy period of consultation and political preparation.

At a European Parliament conference in December 2025, Tzitzikostas outlined the ambition for a common European tourism strategy, identifying Europe’s global competitiveness, benefits for local communities and investment in innovation as core priorities.

Those themes now form part of a broader framework organised around three main pillars: competitiveness, sustainability and resilience, and Europe’s international positioning. Investment, governance and transport connectivity support the approach across all three.

Today marks an important milestone for European tourism. For the first time, Europe is putting forward a unified EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, recognising tourism as a strategic pillar of our economy and placing it firmly at the heart of the EU policy agenda. It is a step towards giving the sector the recognition, support and strategic direction it deserves. Tourism drives growth, creates millions of jobs and supports businesses and communities across Europe, with SMEs at the heart of its strength and competitiveness. With this strategy, we are setting a shared vision for a more competitive, sustainable and resilient European tourism sector, one that creates opportunities, empowers local communities and ensures that the benefits of tourism are shared by citizens across Europe. #EUTourism https://t.co/V59oITMRmo

— Apostolos Tzitzikostas (@tzitzikostas) November 4, 2026

The strategy builds on existing work, including the Transition Pathway for Tourism and the European Agenda for Tourism 2030. Its adoption establishes a shared direction, while the academies, networks and management tools it proposes will require further implementation.

Tourism remains primarily the responsibility of national, regional and local authorities. The Commission’s questions and answers clarify that the strategy does not harmonise national laws or frameworks. Instead, it seeks to improve coordination where cooperation across borders can deliver practical benefits. 

Measuring value beyond visitor numbers

One of the strategy’s most consequential elements is its emphasis on balanced tourism. Presenting the initiative, Tzitzikostas said that just 13% of European regions account for half of all nights spent in Europe, illustrating how unevenly demand is distributed.

For destinations experiencing intense seasonal pressure, growth can bring difficult trade-offs involving infrastructure, natural resources, housing and residents’ quality of life. Elsewhere, communities with tourism potential struggle to attract visitors or sustain businesses outside a short peak season.

Tourism’s economic impact goes beyond what visitors spend. Our new estimates captures its wider contribution: in 2025, tourism accounted for 10.1% of GVA on average across the EU countries covered – nearly 2.5 times its direct contribution. More https://t.co/yko5YqBunx https://t.co/T7vgDtmeKV

— EU Joint Research Centre (@EU_JRC) November 4, 2026

The Commission plans an EU Model for Tourism Management, a proposed Council recommendation and a Toolbox for Balanced Tourism. These are intended to help destinations manage visitor flows, encourage travel throughout the year and spread activity towards places receiving fewer visitors.

“Our objective is not simply to attract more tourists to the same destinations,” Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms Raffaele Fitto said during the presentation. “It is to create more value and spread the benefits of tourism more widely.”

That approach connects tourism policy to territorial development. Fitto argued that stronger local businesses, better services and employment opportunities can help people build their futures in their own communities, including rural, island, coastal and mountain regions.

Skills, data and simpler rules for businesses

For tourism businesses, the strategy promises support with some of their most persistent operational challenges. An EU Tourism Academy will help develop training, attract talent and strengthen the skills needed for the sector’s clean and digital transitions.

The planned EU Tourism Observatory and Common European Tourism Data Space are intended to improve access to information for businesses, destinations and policymakers. Better use of data and artificial intelligence could support decisions on visitor demand, services and destination management.

An EU Simplification Initiative for Tourism will examine unnecessary administrative burdens, with Member States and the industry involved in the work. The Commission also envisages guidance, technical assistance and support for investment.

HOTREC, representing Europe’s hotels, restaurants, bars and cafés, welcomed the strategy’s emphasis on simplification, skills and fair digital markets. However, it stressed that implementation must reflect an industry dominated by small businesses and micro-enterprises.

“Europe’s hospitality businesses need practical support, not additional complexity,” said Marie Audren, HOTREC’s Director General. She called on Member States to prioritise tourism investment and make funding easier to access through simpler procedures, clear information and tailored assistance.

HOTREC also welcomed recognition of the need for fair commercial practices by online booking platforms and effective enforcement of the Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act. It cautioned against duplicating established national systems and sector initiatives, particularly in accommodation classification.

Connectivity becomes part of destination management

The strategy treats transport as essential to both competitiveness and a more balanced distribution of visitors. Better links can help destinations outside established hotspots attract demand, while fragmented journeys can limit the appeal of European routes.

Tzitzikostas highlighted work on multimodal travel, cross-border car rentals and the possible interoperability of local transport ticketing systems. He also announced a renewed aviation strategy for 2027, with particular attention to the connectivity needs of islands and remote and coastal regions.

ECTAA, representing European travel agents and tour operators, welcomed the framework’s focus on balanced visitor flows, connectivity, data, modernised VAT rules and skills. Its response also highlighted the role of travel intermediaries in guiding demand towards lesser-known destinations and travel outside peak periods. 

Airports, meanwhile, raised an immediate concern about the gap between the ambition for seamless journeys and travellers’ experience at external borders. ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec welcomed recognition of the relationship between aviation and tourism, but called for urgent action on the Schengen Entry/Exit System.

“There can be no truly effective strategy for seamless travel and a competitive, welcoming tourism sector without tackling the very real disruption and hardship that the EES is currently causing to travellers,” he said.

ACI EUROPE reiterated its call for structural solutions, referring to the six-point plan presented jointly with Airlines for Europe and the International Air Transport Association.

Cycling organisations welcome recognition but seek concrete action

The European Cyclists’ Federation welcomed the inclusion of cycling tourism and EuroVelo, alongside recognition of active mobility’s contribution to sustainable tourism. It nevertheless argued that the framework needs more concrete commitments.

In its assessment of the strategy, ECF said proposals for a European economic impact study on cycling tourism and an improved digital ecosystem for promoting Europe as a cycling destination had not been included.

The federation sees cycling and active tourism as opportunities to extend the season, support regional development and distribute spending more widely. Its response underlines a broader question for implementation: how recognition in a policy framework will translate into funded projects and usable services.

Regions gain a stronger place in tourism policy

The European Regions Research and Innovation Network, ERRIN, highlighted the strategy’s recognition of regions as central actors in destination management, resilience planning and tourism governance.

For regional authorities, the proposed management model, balanced tourism toolbox and EU Tourism Alliance offer opportunities to shape implementation around local circumstances. ERRIN also identified potential support for investments in innovation, digitalisation, skills and climate resilience.

The Commission will establish the EU Tourism Alliance to bring together public authorities, industry and other stakeholders. Tzitzikostas said it would help coordinate implementation and improve coherence between existing cooperation structures.

Funding will remain a central test. According to the Commissioner’s presentation, tourism is expected to benefit from an estimated €18 billion in EU support across the 2021–2027 programming period. This represents support through existing programmes rather than a newly announced standalone tourism fund.

Future investment will depend partly on the next EU budget and the design of national and regional priorities. For businesses and destinations, the practical challenge will be turning a range of available instruments into accessible support.

Promoting Europe while preparing for future shocks

International outreach remains another major component. Through Destination Europe, the Commission wants a more coherent presentation of Europe’s tourism offering that complements national and regional identities and gives greater visibility to lesser-known places.

Tzitzikostas announced plans to deepen tourism dialogues with partners including Japan, India and Gulf countries. He also said a new cooperation framework with UN Tourism would be signed by the end of 2026 to advance competitiveness, sustainability and resilience.

The new EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy brings measures for coastal communities and islands. A #EUOceanPact deliverable, it aims to: Improve connectivity Launch a dialogue on cruise tourism Support balanced tourism More: https://t.co/pEzZhj0KLW #DestinationEurope https://t.co/EkxLBSEZCe

— EU Maritime & Fish (@EU_MARE) November 4, 2026

New European Capitals of Tourism Awards will recognise destinations developing sustainable, balanced and innovative approaches. Alongside promotion, an EU Tourism Crisis Coordination Network is intended to strengthen preparedness for disruptions affecting destinations and businesses.

The industry’s early responses show broad support for a common European direction, accompanied by clear expectations about delivery. Hospitality businesses want simpler access to investment, airports want functioning borders, cycling organisations want concrete measures and regions want tools they can adapt locally.

The strategy gives these demands a shared policy framework. Its impact will depend on whether that framework produces better conditions for workers and businesses, more manageable visitor flows and lasting benefits for the communities that welcome travellers.

L’article EU puts tourism at the heart of its policy agenda with first common strategy est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The list is based on Inghams’ bespoke “Reliable Ski Score” system. They started with a list of 150 popular ski resorts and regions in the Northern Hemisphere and measured each one’s performance over the most recent seven seasons (excluding COVID years), across the following criteria:

• The average percentage of lifts and slopes operating in the core season (weighted 35%)
• The percentage of core-season days with 30cm or more at the base station (weighted at 25%)
• How consistently the resort performs year after year (weighted at 20%)
• The gap between the average season and the worst one (weighted at 12%)
• Average snow depth on the mountain (weighted at 8%)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Inghams Ski (@inghams.ski)

The research found France is the favourite for reliable skiing in Europe, with French ski resorts and regions accounting for exactly half of the top 20. Les Arcs, Les Trois Vallées, and Alpe d’Huez took third, fourth, and fifth place in the ranking.

Les Arcs is “an excellent choice for both freestyle enthusiasts as well as those looking for reliable conditions,” Inghams said, while Les Trois Vallées, one of the largest ski regions in the world, presents “a vast 600km of pistes” and is 85% above 1,800 m in altitude, scoring “a perfect 100 on snow adequacy” of 30cm or more. Ingham’s high rating for these two areas correlates with Trip.com research published earlier this year.

And over at Alpe d’Huez, skiers and snowboarders (and summer hikers!) will benefit from 300 days of sun a year and the Pic Blanc Glacier at 3,300m, meaning bluebird days and high-altitude skiing opportunities galore. Alpe d’Huez is also known for its powder conditions.

Austria was the next most reliable ski destination, taking six places in the top 20, including three in the top ten: Obertauern at number two, Kitzsteinhorn at number six, and Filzmoos at number seven. Obertauern was praised for its “tremendous views and long seasons lasting from late November into as late as May” with accommodation almost “entirely made up of ski-in/ski-out hotels.”

In fact, together France and Austria occupy 80% of the list. But it was an Italian resort that was awarded the number one spot overall. Pontedilegno-Tonale, Italy, had a Reliable Ski Score of 93.1/100. Formerly known as Adamello Ski, the resort is described as a “standout Italian destination” that is “nestled between the soaring peaks of the Adamello-Presanella range in Northern Italy”, offering “some of the most varied ski experiences in the Alps.”

Feeling tempted? Better start those squats.

L’article Europe’s most reliable ski resorts for guaranteed snow est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Interviewed by Euronews, Maarten Steinbuch, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology, said: “There is not enough attention yet to have a revolution in airspace electrification. So, it’s more an evolution and not yet a revolution.” 

Steinbuch also pointed to the automotive industry as an example of how tight legislation around the transition to e-vehicles had forced game-changing environmental action. “In the electrification of passenger cars,” he said, “being strict on dates when manufacturers of cars effectively should have a sufficient number of models of electric cars available really helped.” The same strategy should apply to aircraft manufacturers, he said, arguing: “We need legislation saying that part of a fleet could be electrified in this or that year. Push that also with legislation.”

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

Публикация от Elysian Aircraft (@elysianaircraft)

Steinbuch’s calls come amid a sustained hike in global jet fuel prices, and as rival start-ups around the world seek to develop the first generation of battery-powered passenger planes. Important players in the sector include Los Angeles-based Heart Aerospace, which aims to bring its ES-30 fixed-wing, 30-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner to market by 2031 (though Scandinavia’s SAS is still taking bookings for its first-ever electric and hydrogen flights using Heart and Airbus-partnered planes, which it says will happen by 2028).

As well as successful flights by various producers of personal electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, US aerospace firm BETA Technologies had successful trials across Scotland’s mail routes, including between Glasgow and Dundee, and in the skies over Aberdeen, Inverness, Orkney and Wick, earlier in 2026, and Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, aims to become the first commercial carrier in Europe to operate a fleet of electric planes by 2029, according to press materials.

Europe could be said to be at the head of the field, with Dutch start-up Elysian Aircraft building what they claim is the planet’s first battery-powered passenger plane: the E9X, a six-engined, folding wingtip plane. It has 40 battery packs weighing 1000 kg each on each wing. Co-founder Daniel Jacobsen, speaking to Euronews, has said the aircraft is designed to carry “90 passengers for initially 800 km and eventually 1000 km,” a development he said would “reduce emissions to zero, from half the world’s flights.” He added that the invention would effectively “reduce total emissions from aerospace to 20%.”

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

Публикация от Elysian Aircraft (@elysianaircraft)

Aviation is responsible for six per cent of global heating pollution, including CO₂ and other emissions, green campaign group Stay Grounded says, while research by Manchester Metropolitan University said in 2020 the figure is between three and four per cent. But despite global pressure to cut emissions, including from the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which has been advocating carbon-neutral growth since 2020, CO₂ emissions from international aviation have actually gone up since that date.

But Steinbuch says the electric air travel revolution will come when solid-state batteries with up to 500 watt-hours per kilogram are successfully developed—a time he said is coming soon, possibly by 2032—possibly sooner, if EU authorities get with the programme.

L’article Dutch researcher calls for European authorities to legislate for electric air travel est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Approved by the EU Parliament on 20 October 2026, and described in a press release, the new framework will now go to the European Council for rubber-stamping before coming into force one year from now, on 27 October 2027. 

Covering around 13 billion journeys across the EU annually, the regulations make it easier and quicker for travellers to receive reimbursement or compensation by introducing a shared, standard claim form for plane, train, coach, bus, or ferry travel. The European Commission will make the standard claim form available on its website and in all relevant languages and for all types of travel. Carriers are also permitted to provide their own equivalent form. They must be proactive and have 96 hours from arrival to inform anyone who could be entitled to compensation how to claim. Passengers have nine months to file their request, and then the clock starts, giving carriers 30 days to pay up or explain why not.

Airlines continue to owe passengers compensation when flights are three hours late or more. The amount of compensation will stay the same (€250, €400, or €600, depending on the journey distance). Airlines must also provide up to three nights in a hotel when extraordinary circumstances cause the disruption.

One part of the protections that some travellers may not know is that, if they ask to be rerouted due to disruption and a carrier fails to do so within three hours, they can book a journey themselves and claim up to 400% of the original fare.

A key element of the new rules is that third-party intermediaries too will have to be transparent about how refunds work at the time of booking, as well as reimbursing the cost of disrupted journeys within a tighter timeframe – just 14 days from the flight cancellation. Airlines have seven days to transfer the necessary payment to the intermediary, who has another seven days to transfer the money back to the customer.

The new rules also give people with disabilities and/or reduced mobility the right to take an “accompanying person” along on flights free of charge, if the companion’s presence is “necessary.” This change brings air travel in line with journeys by bus, train, or ship.

As well as bolstering passenger rights, the regulations give national authorities “enhanced powers for investigating possible breaches of passenger rights. They will be able to proactively initiate audits, inspections or interviews of carriers, not only after receiving passenger complaints,” the press release said.

The EU parliament approved the measures by an overwhelming majority of 652-2. In a statement, Italian MEP and Transport and Tourism Committee member and rapporteur Matteo Ricci highlighted the lawmakers’ focus on protections for everyday public activities, saying: “Travelling is part of our lives. Whether we catch a train to work, a bus for a trip, a plane to return home, or a ferry for holiday, we all share these journeys as passengers. This legislation will improve the protection these travellers receive.”

He added: “National authorities will help make sure companies fulfil their responsibilities without court action. Passengers who buy tickets through intermediaries will keep their rights, and support for individuals with reduced mobility will be improved. We are prioritising the rights of our citizens over the profits of airlines.”

It’s important to note that the regulations cover flights leaving any EU airport, whether or not it is a European carrier operating the journey. But non-EU carriers are not obliged to respect the rules if the flight has departed from a non-EU airport. It could be argued, therefore, that this gives international travellers an incentive to book flights with EU carriers when travelling to the bloc.

L’article How Europe’s strengthened passenger rights protect travellers est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The delegation of five MEPs, led by Sophia Kircher of the European People’s Party (EPP) from Austria, is visiting the two countries from 26 to 28 October to examine progress made in mobility policy and transport infrastructure, as they advance towards EU membership.

“Our mission comes at a pivotal moment”, Kircher said, ahead of the visit.

“Transport is key to bringing the Western Balkans closer to the European Union; better connections and more integrated transport systems are essential to strengthening our partnerships with the region.”

During the visit, MEPs will meet with local and regional partners to discuss ways of improving connections between the Western Balkans and the EU. They will also explore ways to simplify border-crossing procedures, making the movement of people and goods across borders easier and more efficient. Another key topic will be the integration of the countries’ road, rail, and other transport networks into the wider European system.

Transport reforms bring #Montenegro closer to the EU Our Director Tālis Linkaits met Minister of Transport Radoš Zečević for introductory talks, welcoming Montenegro’s place among regional leaders in EU transport acquis alignment. We are #TogetherConnected https://t.co/uW7eVmTeFF

— Transport Community (@EUWB6_TCT) October 23, 2026

“During our visit, we will exchange views with regional partners on advancing transport infrastructure, enhancing connectivity, and addressing the challenges posed by foreign investment from third countries in the region’s transport networks”, said Kircher.

Meetings will also focus on the development of sustainable tourism, the importance of tourism to the region’s economy, and the impact of seasonal visitor numbers on transport infrastructure.

“We also look forward to discussing ways to promote sustainable tourism and strengthen regional cooperation, particularly as the EU prepares its new sustainable tourism strategy”, Kircher added.

This focus on sustainability, connectivity and local communities reflects the priorities of the EU’s first sustainable tourism strategy, which is expected to be unveiled in November 2026.

The strategy aims to balance tourism flows more effectively, reduce pressure on overcrowded destinations, and spread the economic benefits of tourism to less visited regions. As highlighted by the TRAN committee, around 80% of travellers visit just 10% of destinations worldwide, creating serious imbalances and placing pressure on local infrastructure, housing and communities. 

In recent years, Albania has emerged as one of Europe’s more surprising tourism success stories, much as Croatia did in the previous decade. Albania’s international visibility received a considerable boost when it became the official host country of ITB Berlin 2025, providing a major international platform to showcase its growing tourism appeal. 

Honoured to present my Letters of Credence to @eucopresident & @vonderleyen at an important moment in Albania’s progress towards EU membership. I look forward to working closely with Member States & EU institutions to advance ’s accession process. Albania’s future is in the EU. https://t.co/1ZN9AiDYgz

— Albana Dautllari (@ADautllari) October 22, 2026

This rapid expansion has, however, also exposed shortcomings in its transport infrastructure, water supply, and waste management systems, while unregulated coastal development raises environmental concerns.

Meanwhile, Montenegro has been an established destination for longer, but its popularity has come at a price. The small Adriatic country, particularly its historic town of Kotor, is struggling with overtourism. Cruise arrivals have contributed to congestion and rising housing costs, putting pressure on local communities as visitor numbers have grown faster than the country has been able to expand its infrastructure.

Both countries illustrate the challenges of balancing tourism growth with infrastructure development and sustainability, issues central to the EU delegation’s visit, which Kircher believes can be addressed through closer cooperation. 

“I am confident that this visit will provide valuable insights into how we can build stronger transport links, deepen our partnerships, and unlock the full potential of Montenegro and Albania, which are currently leading the way as the clear frontrunners in the enlargement process”, Kircher concluded.

L’article EU delegation visits Albania and Montenegro to assess transport links and sustainable tourism est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The first of them opened in Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland. ICEHOTEL started as an art exhibition made of ice and snow in 1989, before welcoming its first overnight guests a year later. Since then, the hotel has been rebuilt every winter with ice harvested from the nearby Torne River. When the season ends, the ice melts back into the river, an eternal cycle that makes every edition unique.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ICEHOTEL Sweden (@icehotelsweden)

This year, ICEHOTEL 37 opens on 11 December and will welcome guests until April 2027. Among the new art suites, The Cold Descent (by Edmund Chan and Tan Taitien) features an ice-cold pool as part of the artwork, while The Emperors Suite (by Dennis Taylor and Michelle Taylor) is filled with hand-sculpted emperor penguins. Meanwhile, the permanent wing, ICEHOTEL 365, celebrates its tenth anniversary and lets visitors enjoy ice and snow art all year round. Its newest addition is a podcast studio built entirely of ice and snow, which the hotel hopes will be the first of its kind in the world.

“There is something truly beautiful in the contrast between what is fleeting and what lives on. We have been recreating ICEHOTEL every winter for almost four decades, and every visit leaves behind new stories. The podcast studio gives us the opportunity to gather some of these stories and let more voices become part of ICEHOTEL’s ongoing history,” said Marie Herrey, CEO of ICEHOTEL.

Finland and Norway also offer a wide range of icy experiences. In fact, Norway is home to the world’s northernmost igloo hotel, the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel near Alta. Every winter, 250 tonnes of ice and 7,000 cubic metres of snow are used to rebuild it around a new theme. Past themes have included Sami culture and the Vikings. From 20 December to 31 March, guests sleep on ice beds, then head out on snowmobile, husky or snowshoe excursions, chase the northern lights or discover Sami culture. For the romantics, Sorrisniva also has an Ice Chapel that hosts weddings and baptisms.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sorrisniva (@sorrisniva)

In Rovaniemi, the gateway to Finnish Lapland, the Arctic SnowHotel has been rebuilt every winter since 2008. From 15 December to 31 March, around 20 snow rooms welcome up to 70 guests, alongside an Ice Restaurant with tables and benches carved from ice, an Ice Bar and an Ice Chapel. The hotel is also home to what it says is the world’s only snow sauna, where steam rises between walls of snow. If you prefer a warmer stay, you can book one of the 39 heated glass igloos, where an Aurora Alarm buzzes when the northern lights appear above your bed.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos, Rovaniemi Lapland (@arcticsnowhotel)

Not ready to sleep at -5°C? Good news: all three hotels can also be visited during the day. An entrance ticket costs 395 NOK (≈ €38) at Sorrisniva, 325 SEK (≈ €29) at ICEHOTEL, and 35€ at the Arctic SnowHotel.

L’article Sleep on ice in three of Europe’s coolest hotels this winter est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The news follows a preliminary investigation, which included an analysis of the risk assessment reports submitted by Booking.com in 2026 and the preceding three years, information published in its transparency reports, and the company’s replies to the Commission’s formal requests for information sent on 23 September 2025 and 26 May 2026.

According to a European Commission spokesperson, the research revealed that the number of scams reported on Booking.com rose by 500 per cent between 2022 and 2024, with fraud totalling 4.2 billion euros in 2024. 

According to the European Commission, Booking.com may have breached the Digital Services Act (DSA) on three specific subjects.

Firstly, the Commission will examine whether the provider of Booking.com has properly identified and assessed the systemic risks linked to the dissemination of illegal content. Fake listings, such as for non-existent properties, impersonation fraud, and non-compliant accommodation offers may have negative effects on consumer protection. The investigation will also assess whether the platform has put in place effective measures to mitigate these risks, including by removing fraudulent and non-compliant listings.

Secondly, the investigation will determine whether the provider of Booking.com has diligently assessed and addressed the risks that phishing scams pose to consumers. The research will focus on risks related to the way reservation and guest data is shared with accommodation providers, and the design and functioning of Booking.com’s messaging service. The Commission will also examine whether the company has put in place sufficient safeguards to prevent data from being misused to carry out phishing and solicit fraudulent payments.

Finally, the Commission will investigate whether Booking.com complies with the DSA’s advertising transparency obligations. Accommodation providers can make their listings more visible in Booking.com’s search results by paying a higher commission but users should be able to clearly recognise that these ‘boosted listings’ are in fact advertisements. 

Booking a holiday should be exciting, not risky. Europeans deserve to book with confidence, knowing platforms are taking their safety seriously. We’ll make sure they live up to their responsibilities. More: https://t.co/PdRBQHxfJN https://t.co/PaxZGfGH6J

— European Commission (@EU_Commission) October 21, 2026

The Commission will also examine whether, for each advertisement shown on Booking.com, users can easily see who is behind, who paid for it, why they are seeing it and how they can change the settings that determine which ads they see. This matters as under the DSA, users are entitled to understand when, and on whose behalf, an ad is shown to them. Without this, they cannot tell whether a listing appears prominently because it matches their search or because the accommodation provider paid for that visibility.

“Europeans should be able to book their holidays without fear of being scammed. The Digital Services Act sets clear responsibilities on platforms to address these risks, and we must ensure that the leading booking platform in Europe takes those responsibilities seriously,” said Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, in a statement.

Now that the formal proceedings have been opened, the Commission will carry out an in-depth investigation while it will also be able to take further enforcement steps, such as interim measures and non-compliance decisions. Moreover, through the investigation, the Commission is empowered to accept commitments offered by Booking.com to remedy the matters subject to the proceedings.

If the Commission finds Booking.com to have broken the rules and if the platform refuses to change its policies, the Commission could impose fines amounting to up to 6% of the company’s turnover.

L’article European Commission launches investigation into Booking.com over fraud and scam allegations est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Organised by the World Tourism Forum Institute, the meeting will take place at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium under the theme “Investment and Security”. Organisers expect participants from more than 50 countries, with a programme connecting tourism investment to European policy priorities, including transport, climate resilience and border management.

The agenda was presented on 19 October at the Press Club Brussels Europe during a briefing bringing together journalists, tourism representatives and business partners. António Buscardini, President of the Press Club Brussels Europe and Editor-in-Chief of Travel Tomorrow, opened and moderated the discussion.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bulut Bağcı (@bulutbagci)

Turning tourism ambitions into investment

Bulut Bağcı, President of the World Tourism Forum Institute, outlined the Forum’s development and its emphasis on connecting governments with investors, hospitality operators and development finance institutions.

“Our ambition is to turn dialogue into projects and partnerships that destinations can deliver. In Brussels, we want to connect governments and investors while addressing the security and confidence that long-term tourism investment requires,” said Bağcı.

His presentation highlighted the Angola Investment Summit, held in Luanda in June 2026. According to the organisers, the summit concluded with ten memoranda of understanding covering investment, hotel operations, training, sustainability and technology.

In Brussels, the first day will examine how tourism plans can become projects capable of securing finance. Sessions will address public-private partnerships, hospitality development and the combination of public funding with private capital. An Investment Deal Room is also planned.

Lilla Harangozó, Head of Office at Capital European Affairs, presented the forthcoming programme. “The two days address one connected challenge: how to attract investment and protect the confidence that makes it possible. The programme links financing and destination development with the transport, security and resilience that tourism depends on,” she said.

Security and a more balanced tourism economy

The second day will examine cybersecurity, border systems, major events and crisis management. The programme also includes discussions on transport security and climate and health resilience.

“Europe needs a more balanced distribution of tourism, with investment helping more destinations benefit while easing pressure on those already receiving large numbers of visitors. Hosting this discussion in Brussels brings that challenge closer to the institutions and businesses that can help address it,” said Buscardini.

Csilla Mezösi, Secretary General of the European Spas Association, shared her expectations for the Annual Meeting, bringing a health tourism perspective to the discussions on investment and destination development. Her presentation highlighted a network of more than 1,400 health resorts and clinics, illustrating the sector’s place within Europe’s tourism economy.

What Brussels stands to gain

Geert Cochez, Deputy CEO of visit.brussels, highlighted the economic and professional value of international congresses. His presentation cited average participant spending of €456, alongside €416 in organiser spending per participant.

“International congresses create value for Brussels through visitor spending, but their contribution also extends to knowledge and professional relationships. Hosting the Global Tourism Forum is an opportunity to showcase the city’s expertise and strengthen its connections with the international tourism community,” he said.

The November meeting will bring these perspectives together, linking investment decisions with the conditions destinations need to remain accessible, resilient and attractive.

L’article Global Tourism Forum unveils agenda for November gathering in Brussels est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The calls have come from trade bodies ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe (A4E), who say in a press release that “severe congestion” and delays of up to five hours at peak times are continuing across the region’s hubs, “putting exceptional pressure on border guards, airport and airline staff.” This, the groups say, is “despite considerable efforts from border control authorities to address the situation with the full support of airports.” 

The tone of the press release reveals growing impatience with a system phased in from October 2025 after lengthy delays. The EES requires third-country visitors to the bloc to register passport details, facial imagery, and biometrics on arrival. The data are stored for up to three years or until the ID expires, with the intention of allowing the EU to track the movement of people into and out of its territory and boosting security. 

Although the system has had to be temporarily suspended at certain destinations since its implementation, it has enabled the bloc to record almost 230 million entries and exits and refuse 80,000 arrivals (2,000 due to security concerns), according to EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, speaking to Politico.

Still, the “unnecessary hardship” to which passengers are exposed persists due to “structural shortcomings that ACI EUROPE and A4E have warned about for months, but which remain largely unaddressed,” the groups say, pointing to “inadequate border control staffing, instability affecting the IT systems underpinning EES, the still-limited deployment and use of Self-Service Kiosks and Automated Border Control gates, and the limited functionalities and deployment of the Travel to Europe pre-registration app.”

Olivier Jankovec, ACI EUROPE Director General, and Ourania Georgoutsakou, A4E Managing Director, issued a joint statement, saying: “The EES has strengthened the security of Europe’s external borders – that is a clear achievement. But six months into its full rollout, the system is not delivering on efficient border crossings, and the promise of faster, more seamless travel remains unmet.”

They go on to insist: “This is no longer a teething problem, nor can passengers, airports and airlines keep paying the price for avoidable disruption. The time for simply managing the symptoms is over. We need decisive action to fix the structural problems in the EES, streamline its processes and secure efficient border crossings.”

That action, the pair say, should come in the form of a six-point plan they have put together. The “six concrete proposals” are as follows:

• Eliminating “double verification”
• Optimising biometric verification
• Preventing duplicate EES profiles
• Rethinking and upgrading the “Travel to Europe” app and web portal
• Accelerating and harmonising Automated Border Control for third-country nationals
• Restoring the possibility to partially suspend the EES (no registration of biometrics) in case of excessive waiting times as a permanent flexibility mechanism

However, Commissioner Brunner insisted to Politico that the onus for smoothly implementing the system falls on EU Member States, who, he said, agreed to the EES and “had enough time to prepare.” Unless that attitude changes, the row, the patchy implementation, and the disruption for passengers all look set to continue.

L’article European airports and airlines call for urgent action plan to address EES problems est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.