Concerns over scooter safety have been multiplying for a number of years since their first introduction on city streets around the world. The hop-on-hop-off nature of easily rented street scooters has been promoted as a “final kilometre” micro-mobility solution, but medical professionals and data point to a surge in head injuries caused by scooter accidents. Many riders appear unequipped with protective clothing, headgear, or any understanding of the consequences of a fall or accident at high speed.

“International studies, medical and accident statistics all point in the same direction: in serious and fatal accidents involving motorised transport, particularly electric scooters, head and brain injuries are very common,” the Mobility and Transport service said.

Vanaf 1 september: helm op de elektrische step!

Rijdt je elektrische step sneller dan 20 km/u? Dan is een helm vanaf 1 september verplicht, ook als je op dat moment trager rijdt. Je kiest zelf wat voor type helm, zolang de achterkant van je hoofd en je slapen bedekt zijn. pic.twitter.com/UCaILasTZG

— Politie Leuven (@PolitieLeuven) August 31, 2026

Now officials hope to address the scourge with a blanket rule: if the scooter is capable of reaching speeds above 20 km per hour, the rider must wear a helmet. The rule seeks to remove any questions about speed detection or enforcement, with the emphasis simply placed on the capability of the transport device, rather than the speed it is travelling at any given time.

Former scooter industry lobbyist Peter Beckett, writing in The Brussels Times, has argued that the government is getting its response wrong. He highlights that the 26% increase in accident numbers recorded between 2024 and 2025 came as shared scooter trips also increased by 26%. But the long-recognised worldwide standard for measuring road safety is per million inhabitants, not per trip, in order to capture the overall burden placed on a whole society by the way people behave on the roads.

When it comes to that burden, the advent of thousands of scooters on Belgian streets has caused not only safety worries, but also a growing public outcry over clutter from discarded scooters in parks, woodlands, and streets, as well as their impact on street accessibility, especially for people with reduced vision or mobility.

#SécuritéRoutière

Qui est concerné par l’obligation du port du casque ?

Trottinettes électriques, gyropodes, hoverboards, monoroues… l’obligation concerne les utilisateurs d’engins de déplacement personnel motorisés (EDPM).

Dans le Nord, le port du casque deviendra… pic.twitter.com/e21tyVEgDy

— Préfecture de la région Hauts-de-France et du Nord (@prefet59) August 27, 2026

Scooters that can travel above 25 km per hour are already prohibited in the Belgian capital, Brussels, and rentable e-scooters, such as fleets belonging to Bolt, Dott, and Lime, have been banned. The ban was due to come into effect in September 2026, though they remain on the streets until December 2026 under a transition arrangement.

Personal scooters, rather than shared ones, are still permitted, but riders must respect the same rules: they must comply with the maximum speed of 25 km per hour and wear a helmet if the device is capable of reaching over 20 km per hour. No one under 16 is permitted to ride a scooter, according to the law.

Meanwhile, rules about bicycles and helmets do not follow the same logic. Bike helmets are optional in Belgium for adults and children, even if the bike can reach 25 km per hour. Helmets are compulsory for e-bikes capable of travelling above that speed. Until recently, much Belgian advice on bike safety centred on “riding style” as a way to prevent accidents. Around a thousand injuries involving bikes occur per year in Brussels alone.

Belgium’s road safety statistics in general have long been cause for scrutiny, with the country sitting in the middle of the regional table, recording around double the number of fatalities per million inhabitants annually compared with safety leaders such as Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

L’article Belgium makes helmets mandatory for electric scooters exceeding 20 km/h est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Farmers, landowners, firefighters, and cross-party lawmakers are supporting moves towards a ban on sales of disposable barbecue equipment as a way to reduce the chances of wildfires being ignited by sparks, discarded charcoal, and matches.

Please don't bring BBQs into our parks!

Disposable and portable BBQs can:

Cause grass fires
Damage parkland and wildlife habitats
Leave dangerous hot surfaces behind

A single spark can spread quickly during hot, dry weather.

Help us protect Birmingham's green… pic.twitter.com/c593V6Xvlq

— Birmingham City Council (@BhamCityCouncil) August 2, 2026

The landowners’ Country Land and Business Association (CLA), is backing a barbecue ban but wants to reintroduce “controlled burning” which it says would help to manage the vegetation that can feed fires but has been prohibited in England under wildlife and carbon emissions laws.

National Farmers Union deputy chief, Paul Tompkins, has pointed to the additional risk that unintentional fires pose to harvests and farmers’ livelihoods, coming on top of poor yields, saying: “A stray match or single spark, and months of hard work can be wiped out in just minutes; crops destroyed and harvest ruined, vital machinery and infrastructure damaged and livestock put at serious risk.”

56% of Britons would support a ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, amid wildfires across the UK triggering renewed calls for supermarkets to stop selling them during summer months

Support: 56%
Oppose: 25% pic.twitter.com/tKrkoMJLOb

— YouGov (@YouGov) August 4, 2026

Tompkins also highlighted the potential lasting impact of wildfires for the sector: “Beyond the immediate losses, there could be long-term consequences for soil health, grassland productivity and confidence of farm businesses already facing significant pressures,” he said.

He is urging shops to stop sales of disposable barbecues, and, going further, wants local authorities to head off public demand by bringing in rules against lighting barbecues, campfires, and camping stoves. The Liberal Democrat party and some Labour MPs are supporting that campaign, alongside a range of big retailers who have already ceased selling such items in line with guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

Asda has paused disposable barbecue sales nationwide, Co-op and Morrison’s have introduced temporary bans, Sainsbury’s has pulled all single-use barbecues, and Tesco has also stopped sales. Meanwhile, retailers such as Aldi, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, and Waitrose already prohibit such products.

Some smaller retailers, DIY stores, and online sellers, however, are still offering them for purchase.

From Welsh valleys and national parks to Scottish and Northern Irish mountains and coastal Suffolk, where all eyes were on a blaze near Sizewell B nuclear facility, wildfires have occurred throughout the UK in 2026, with 393 responses from English and Welsh fire crews in July alone.

While the government has so far resisted an outright ban on barbecues, for UK residents and leisure visitors who want to avoid being the cause of wildfire catastrophes, both the NFCC guidance and the reduced availability of equipment on sale mean adjusting outdoor eating plans to take a prepared picnic instead, or eat at a nearby establishment, rather than lighting up cooking equipment in the wild.

High Peak MP Jon Pearce said: “This isn’t about stopping people enjoying the outdoors. It’s about protecting our countryside, supporting our firefighters and preventing avoidable fires before they start.”

L’article Wildfire risk raises pressure to ban disposable barbecues in England and Wales est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Since 2011, unusually large amounts of sargassum have been washing ashore across the Caribbean, Central America, South Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. The phenomenon has transformed from a seasonal natural event into a recurring problem affecting beaches, marine ecosystems and communities that depend on the ocean.

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Публикация от Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst. (@whoi.ocean)

For travellers, the arrival of sargassum can significantly change the experience of a beach holiday. Large piles of brown seaweed can cover coastlines, making some beaches less attractive for visitors. As the seaweed decomposes, it releases gases including hydrogen sulfide, which creates a strong smell often compared to rotten eggs.

“Travelers don’t like the smell, and it affects our beautiful beaches,” says Javier Pizaña-Alonso, CORAL’s Program Manager in Cozumel. The impact goes beyond the appearance of beaches, as coastal businesses, hotels, fishing activities and local communities also face the consequences of large-scale sargassum arrivals.

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Публикация от Telesur Yucatán (@telesuryuc)

Sargassum itself is not a harmful organism. The floating brown seaweed naturally exists in the Atlantic Ocean, especially in the Sargasso Sea, where it provides shelter and food for many marine species. Floating mats create a unique ecosystem containing fish, shrimp, crabs and many smaller organisms.

“A floating sargassum mat is much more than just seaweed. It is like a floating city,” researchers explain. These floating ecosystems can support marine life while drifting through the ocean. The problem begins when the amount of seaweed becomes too large and reaches the coastline, where it starts decomposing and affecting water quality.

Scientists have spent years trying to understand why the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt has grown so quickly. Previous research focused on several possible causes, including nutrient pollution from agriculture, changes in ocean temperatures, stronger ocean currents and dust particles travelling from the Sahara Desert.

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Публикация от Gabriel Quito Hernández Castro (@quito239)

New research suggests that these factors may have helped trigger the first major blooms, but the process has now changed. According to scientists, sargassum may have developed a self-sustaining system where the seaweed helps collect and recycle nutrients that support future growth.

The researchers describe this process as a type of natural cycle. Animals living around the floating mats consume organic material and release nutrients back into the ecosystem. As older sargassum breaks down, those nutrients become available for new growth, allowing future blooms to continue developing.

To test this theory, scientists created a mathematical model that included the different processes influencing sargassum growth. The model successfully reproduced previous blooms between 2011 and 2022 and accurately predicted the development of blooms in 2023 and 2024, supporting the idea that the seaweed belt has become more persistent.

The scale of the problem has increased rapidly in recent years. Under favourable conditions, sargassum can grow extremely quickly. “Under these conditions, blooms can double in size in about 18 days,” says Pizaña-Alonso. Large quantities of seaweed can block harbours, disrupt fishing activities and create low-oxygen conditions that threaten marine ecosystems.

Coral reefs are particularly vulnerable. When large amounts of decomposing sargassum reach shallow coastal waters, they can reduce water quality and contribute to conditions that are harmful to reef-building corals. This is especially concerning in regions where tourism depends heavily on healthy marine environments.

However, researchers are also exploring whether the seaweed problem could become an opportunity. Sargassum is increasingly being studied as a possible resource within the blue economy, an approach that focuses on using ocean resources sustainably while protecting marine ecosystems.

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Публикация от Ahian Coronel | Playa del Carmen (@ahianvlog)

Possible uses include producing biofuels, creating natural fertilisers and developing sustainable construction materials. In Barbados, researchers have explored ways to combine collected sargassum with wastewater from the rum industry to produce biofuel. In Mexico, scientists and entrepreneurs have tested construction products made partly from the seaweed.

Although completely preventing future blooms may be difficult, better forecasting could help destinations prepare for their arrival. Early warning systems could give coastal communities more time to organise clean-up efforts and protect tourism activities.

As scientists continue studying the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, the challenge will be finding ways to manage the growing amounts of seaweed while recognising its role in ocean ecosystems. What was once considered only a coastal nuisance may become both a challenge and a resource for the future of sustainable tourism.

L’article Caribbean beaches face growing sargassum challenge as scientists warn blooms may persist est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Covering 13,000 hectares, the forest will have three different areas, comprising “natural forests”, where natural processes are left to occur; “near-natural forests” where forestry practices will be minimised; and the largest 8,000-hectare space, dedicated to “social forests”, designed to promote exercise, leisure, and wellbeing opportunities, including cycling and hiking trails.

Describing the forest’s creation as an “historic moment and the beginning of a new approach to forest protection,” climate and environment minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska said the scheme had been conceived “with residents in mind first and foremost.”

Cities represent just two percent of the Earth’s surface but are responsible for 70% of carbon emissions. With the United Nations predicting two-thirds of humans will reside in cities by 2050, experts say “rewilding” will enhance the air that we breathe, boost our mental health, as well as biodiversity, and limit the impacts of climate change. 

Hennig-Kloska also highlighted the many benefits of woodland areas, adding: “Community forests are places where residents can relax, play sports and simply spend time close to nature,” she added. “At the same time, they are crucial to our security and quality of life: they retain water, regulate the climate, purify the air and protect the soil.”

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The ten other sites where community forests are undergoing planning permissions are near the cities of: Bielsko-Biała, also known as Podbeskidzie and Little Vienna for its architectural gems; the northern Tricity area, comprising Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot, on the shore of Gdańsk Bay; the former southern industrial powerhouse, Katowice; as well as Kielce, Kraków, Łódź, Poznań, Szczecin, Toruń-Bydgoszcz and Warsaw. Kielce and Bielsko-Biała are reported by the Polish Press Agency to be the first in the pipeline after Wroclaw.

The environmental work is part of moves by Poland’s current government to unpick many of the previous Law & Justice regime’s moves, seen as authoritarian and right-wing, and criticised by the European Union as against the rule of law. The country had fallen foul of EU habitat protection laws by permitting commercial logging, including in the ancient UNESCO World Heritage site of Białowieża Forest, where the former government had allowed logging activity to triple—an issue that led to national and international controversy.

L’article Poland to create vast community forests around 11 major cities est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Brussels has closed to vehicles on one Sunday per year since September 1999, in a Mobility Week initiative to draw attention to the impact of vehicle traffic and pollution on the city, reduce car use, and highlight alternative ways people can get around.

Often taking place in early autumn, the event’s 2026 edition is no exception, scheduled for 20 September this year. For 2027, an additional date in May is on the cards. However, original proposals for the additional Car-Free Sunday to fall on 9 May 2027 have caused some backlash, with critics pointing out that it coincides with significant spring holidays and risks making the city inaccessible to visitors during that time.

The “Non au plan Good Move Committee” said the choice of “the spring half-term for French-speaking schools, a period when many families take the opportunity to travel, visit relatives or spend time together” was not optimal and noted: “above all, it would also coincide with Mother’s Day. In practical terms, this means that families who sometimes travel from afar to visit their mothers, parents or grandparents in Brussels will once again face roadblocks, restrictions and additional complications.”

In response, the regional government has opted for 2 May 2027 instead, according to reporting in Le Soir, but the move still faces another hurdle in the form of approval by all of the capital’s 19 municipalities.

If it goes ahead, there will be two days in the yearly calendar, probably in May and September, when the Belgian capital becomes Europe’s largest no-car zone. Brussels transport operator STIB offers reinforced and free public transport on those days.

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Публикация от Travel Tomorrow (@traveltomorrow.eu)

Exemptions to the ban are issued for public transport, taxis, buses, emergency and security forces, as well as for diplomatic vehicles. For everyone else, it’s no cars from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm, and authorities advise that “the closing and the re-opening of the entrances to the Region and the tunnels will happen gradually. Therefore, there might be some traffic nuisance outside these times.”

Officials also warn that “As a result of the activities and celebrations, the streets in certain neighbourhoods might also be closed longer. So it is no use hurrying to the entrances to Brussels; this is to avoid congestion and safety problems.” 

The Brussels Mobility service describes the day as “an opportunity to (re)discover the pleasure of walking, riding on a bike or scooter, or travelling on public transport in a peaceful and pleasant city.”

L’article Brussels could double car-free Sundays from 2027 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Brighton’s seafront area is well-known to both locals and tourists alike. Behind the pebbled beach, visitors can marvel at a long series of iron and brick arches. Those structures, which date back to the Victorian era (1860-1880, to be precise), support the King’s Road located just above.

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Every day, some 22,000 drivers and 1,500 cyclists take the King’s Road to Brighton Pier, Brighton Beach, and the i360 observation tower. Yet after more than a century, the road’s structure is at risk as the arches are in dire need of restoration.

Since 2014, part of the seafront arches have already been renovated over three phases. The first phase created shops and new public toilets from 26 arches; the second phase saw the strengthening of a further 33 arches between The Seahorse restaurant and the West Pier, and the third phase saw the creation of Shelter Hall, new public toilets located on the lower promenade, with a new walkway and sea wall.

The UK government has now announced it will be putting £22 million towards phases 4 and 5, while the Brighton City Council will be adding £3.9 million. Phase 4 will be focusing on an area between the bandstand and the i360, while phase 5 will move to the area west of Shelter Hall.

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Aside from structural work to safeguard the road and seafront, the money will also be used to create usable spaces for cafés, shops, and galleries. Such additions should add to the charm of the town.

“This funding means we can strengthen the Victorian-era arches so they can support the road, pavement and cycle lane on one of the city’s busiest routes for another 100 years. But we’ll also be able to create a better home for local businesses in this vibrant space on the seafront and, working with local communities, look at options for a new and improved King’s Road paddling pool area,” said Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure.

While the fourth phase is estimated to be completed somewhere over the course of 2027, the Shelter Hall phase should be done by 2029. By then, the area should be good to go again for at least a century.

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“Brighton is home to a whole host of attractions, from its iconic beach and legendary pier to the fantastic local businesses dotted across the nearby lanes. This funding will mean that everyone can continue to enjoy all of these for the next 120 years by revamping the Victorian arches that dozens of businesses along the seafront call home – boosting growth across Brighton,” added Roads and Buses Minister, Simon Lightwood.

Moreover, another £26 million has been attributed to the Brighton and Hove City Council in order to help fix potholes on roads in the area over the next four years.

L’article Brighton seafront to undergo £22 million renovation est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Based on the Greek island of Zakynthos, Navagio Beach has become a tourist favourite over the past decade. Aside from its crystal-blue waters and impressive cliffs, the beach is primarily known for the wreck of the Panagiotis ship, which stranded there in 1980.

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With the rise of social media, Shipwreck Beach quickly gained in popularity. The contrast between the pristine natural surroundings and the decaying ship became a well-loved photo spot for holidaymakers.

However, concerns have been arising about the future of the ship and therefore the tourism appeal of its surroundings. Aside from damages caused by visitors, bad weather and beach erosion have been taking a toll on the beach.

“It’s time for the municipality to manage this particular spot. The ship is disappearing; it’s the last chance to save what’s left. A person responsible for the boat must be found, because at the moment there is no one. If something happens, no one will be charged for the damage we will suffer, not only here in Zakynthos, but throughout the country. At least 1.5 million tourists come in the summer to see the shipwreck. Consider that they may not come because there will be no ship for them to see,’ mayor of Zakynthos, Giorgos Stasinopoulos, stated to local media outlets in 2025.

@calypsoboatrentals A magical place Navagio, Zakynthos Island, Greece . @Fotis Roussis with @calypsoboatrentals . Visit this location on our 8hr exclusive private Navagio Tour (the whole southwest coast) . Save this post for your next vacation We are open from April – Oct 2026 Follow @calypsoboatrentals for more #zakynthos #zante #greece #boatrental #boattour ♬ som original – ₊˚ ཐི⋆𝒙𝒐𝒈𝒉𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒊⋆ཋྀ ˚₊

In order to save the much-loved photo spot, local authorities have now unveiled a plan to expand the beach. A timeline has not yet been shared, but the works involve adding 45,000 cubic metres of gravel in order to expand the beach by 30 metres towards the sea. As the wreck will be located further from the water, it will be less prone to being damaged by wave action and coastal erosion. Once the expansion has been completed, authorities are planning to carry out conservation and restoration work on the Panagiotis ship to save the vessel for future generations.

“The shipwreck is not only the top tourist attraction of Zakynthos. It is a global symbol of our island, a unique natural and cultural asset that we must protect and deliver safely and upgrade for future generations. The Municipality of Zakynthos is ready to respond to this great challenge, with responsibility, determination and efficiency. We continue with a plan, cooperation and vision for a Zakynthos that successfully manages its comparative advantages and creates the conditions for sustainable development for the benefit of all citizens,” Giorgos Stasinopoulos commented on the planned extension, which will be led by the municipality in collaboration with the National Technical University of Athens.

However, despite the unveiling of the expansion plans, Navagio Beach is closed to boats and swimmers at the time of writing and until 31 October 2026 at least. Since a partial cliff collapse in 2018 injured seven tourists and a temporary closure of the beach in 2022 after a 5.4-magnitude earthquake caused fears of rockfalls, Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organisation (OASP) has been inspecting the premises twice a year. As the organisation detected a continued risk of landslides, the beach and the bay remain closed until 31 October 2026 at least.

During the closure, tourists eager to see the popular spot can still get a glimpse of Shipwreck Beach from one of the special viewing spots located above.

L’article Greece plans to extend Navagio Beach to save famous shipwreck est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Developed by Red Sea Global in partnership with Kingdom Holding Company, the project is transforming part of an archipelago of around 90 islands between Umluj and Al Wajh into one of the world’s most ambitious sustainable luxury tourism destinations. Once complete, it is expected to feature around 50 hotels, 8,000 rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties. For now, however, only part of that vision is operational, with new resorts continuing to open in phases.

It is planned as a “new place, where nature, sustainability, hospitality and unique experiences come together,” according to Stephen Cheesebrough, Head of Development at Red Sea Global, speaking to Euronews.

Boasting diverse surroundings, including coral reefs, deserts, peaks, volcanoes, and white sands, it presents visitors with “a variety of experiences in such a compact area,” Cheeseborough notes, Diving, golfing, hiking, sailing, and surfing are just a few of the activities to be sampled, alongside a marina, retail spaces, and restaurants.

By 2030, the plan is that the development will encompass at least 50 hotels, offering 8,000 rooms and over 1,000 residential properties, with the visitor capacity of around a million annually. That’s all while “conserving and protecting the natural environment,” Cheeseborough insists, pointing to an entirely renewable energy grid and all-reusable water system thanks to recycling.

For now though, 11 hotels are in operation, one of them the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Red Sea at Shura Island, officially opened on 20 May 2026, and offering a spa, 149 rooms and 31 residences, all encircled by the sea and inspired by the design of vernacular trade caravans.

Also bookable already, are The Red Sea EDITION (Shura Island), SLS The Red Sea (Shura Island), InterContinental The Red Sea Resort (Shura Island), adult-only retreat Miraval The Red Sea (Shura Island), The St. Regis Red Sea Resort (Ummmahat Island), Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Ummmahat Island), Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea (Inland Dunes), Desert Rock (Mountain Resort), Shebara (Island Resort), Turtle Bay Hotel (Mainland).

Air connectivity is vital to the nation’s hospitality strategy, as Cheeseborough explained: “There would be no point in creating a destination of this scale without ensuring that travellers can reach it easily.” The Red Sea International Airport connects the resort region to cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, Doha, and Milan. It has already served over 78,000 passengers over the first two quarters of the year, including over 11,000 international visitors. In addition, Red Sea project stakeholders are “in talks with several European airlines and our aim is to gradually expand the international network,” Cheeseborough said.

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The RSG partnership has also completed the modernization of AlWajh International Airport, which is receiving flights, including three weekly connections from Riyadh and two from Jeddah, operated by Saudia. It is just 45 minutes in electric vehicle and 20 minutes by seaplane away from the stakeholders’ AMAALA resort.

L’article Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea resorts: What’s open now and what’s coming by 2030 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The first phase of the redevelopment is expected to open in the early 2030s, while new projects will continue to be introduced into the 2040s. The plans also support Singapore’s Tourism 2040 strategy and coincide with the future opening of Changi Airport’s Terminal 5, which will significantly increase the country’s passenger capacity. Rather than simply adding more attractions, the redevelopment aims to create a destination where entertainment and nature complement each other. “We are reimagining what Sentosa can become for decades ahead, an island transformed, connected and sustained,” said Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu. She added that the masterplan will “redefine Greater Sentosa as Singapore’s island playground, bolder, livelier and more exciting than before.”

One of the biggest additions will be Pulau Brani, a 120-hectare island next to Sentosa that is currently occupied mainly by port facilities. Once port operations move to Tuas Port, the area will be redeveloped into what officials describe as the region’s next-generation leisure destination. One of its largest development sites, Brani West, has been reserved for what the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) calls “game-changing attractions”, although details have not yet been revealed. Resorts World Sentosa will also continue its expansion with its Waterfront Lifestyle Development and the opening of Super Nintendo World, both expected in 2030.

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Visitors can also look forward to several new attractions across Sentosa itself. Along Siloso Beach, the new Sensorium will combine indoor attractions, green public spaces and a flexible venue for festivals, concerts and other events throughout the year. Nearby, the Imbiah Canopy will become a new hilltop destination with restaurants, shops, attractions and sheltered event spaces overlooking Sentosa, Pulau Brani and Singapore’s Southern Waterfront. One of the first projects to open will be the Imbiah Lookout Walk, a sheltered elevated forest canopy trail connecting the award-winning Sensoryscape to Imbiah Lookout and a wider network of walking trails.

Nature and sustainability remain central to the redevelopment plans. Over time, SDC intends to connect the forests of Sentosa, Pulau Brani and Serapong into one continuous green corridor, which will eventually link to Singapore’s Southern Ridges on the mainland. New hotels will also be designed with greater greenery integration to blend into the island’s landscape. “Energy and restoration are not opposites,” according to SDC, describing the philosophy that will guide future developments by combining vibrant attractions with spaces for relaxation and nature.

The island’s coastline will also undergo major changes in the coming years. Siloso Beach will be the first to be rejuvenated, followed by Palawan and Tanjong beaches. Plans include new beach clubs, treetop dining experiences and multi-purpose event spaces that will allow activities to continue from sunrise until late in the evening. Offshore, six existing islets will eventually be connected by floating boardwalks, creating a new island-hopping route while also supporting coastal protection measures against rising sea levels.

Getting around Greater Sentosa will become easier as part of the redevelopment. A new Island Heart transport hub will connect mainland Singapore with both Sentosa and Pulau Brani, serving as the main arrival gateway for visitors. The waterfront hub will feature a large solar-powered canopy, as well as hotels, restaurants and public spaces. The existing 2.1-kilometre Sentosa Express monorail will eventually be replaced by a new People Mover System with a greater passenger capacity, while the Singapore Cable Car will continue operating. SDC is also exploring additional transport options, including water taxis, to improve connectivity across the expanded destination.

Protecting the island’s character remains one of SDC’s priorities as Greater Sentosa continues to evolve. “We want to create the next generation of world-class experiences inspired by our beautiful coastlines, our greenery, our heritage, our sense of escape, as well as the Singapore identity,” said SDC chief executive Thien Kwee Eng. “At the same time, we want to grow Sentosa thoughtfully, and protect the island’s soul, while making it easier to explore, to access and to enjoy.” As new attractions continue to open over the coming decades, the masterplan aims to position Greater Sentosa as one of Asia’s leading leisure destinations while offering visitors a broader mix of entertainment, nature and cultural experiences.

L’article Singapore unveils Greater Sentosa masterplan with new attractions and greener experiences est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The 2025 report reveals that 85% of bathing waters in the European Union were rated “excellent”, while 96% met at least the minimum standards required under EU rules. Only 1.5% were classified as poor, underscoring both the progress made in recent decades and the need for continued action at problem sites.

For holidaymakers, the findings offer reassurance at the start of the peak travel period. From Atlantic beaches to Mediterranean resorts, most designated swimming spots are monitored regularly for bacteria linked to faecal contamination, including Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci. Authorities use the results to classify bathing waters and issue public warnings where needed.

Coastal destinations continue to perform best. In 2025, 88% of EU coastal bathing waters were rated excellent, compared with 78% of inland sites such as lakes and rivers. Cyprus, Greece, Bulgaria, and Austria were among the strongest performers, with more than 95% of bathing waters achieving excellent status.

The picture is more mixed for river swimming, an activity enjoying renewed popularity in European cities as residents and visitors seek cooling outdoor experiences during hotter summers. Across the EU, Albania, and Switzerland, only 47% of around 1,200 designated river bathing sites reached excellent quality in 2025. Rivers are more vulnerable to short-term pollution after heavy rain, wastewater overflows, agricultural runoff, and changes in water flow.

Even so, the broader trend remains positive. Europe’s bathing water quality has improved significantly over recent decades, largely because of tighter environmental regulation, better wastewater collection networks, and major investment in urban wastewater treatment. These changes have helped reopen or improve waters that were once heavily polluted, including some urban rivers.

However, the assessment also highlights the limits of current bathing water checks. EU rules focus on bacteria that indicate health risks for swimmers, but they do not cover all chemical pollutants, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, nutrients, or emerging contaminants. These are addressed under other EU water legislation.

For travellers, the practical advice is straightforward: check official national or regional bathing water websites before swimming, particularly after heavy rainfall or when visiting rivers and lakes. Many countries provide real-time or seasonal information, while the European Environment Agency also offers an interactive map covering thousands of bathing sites.

With demand for nature-based tourism rising and heatwaves becoming more frequent, clean and accessible bathing waters are increasingly an important part of Europe’s visitor appeal. The 2025 findings suggest that most travellers can swim with confidence — while reminding destinations that water quality remains a key factor in sustainable tourism competitiveness.

L’article Europe’s cleanest bathing waters revealed ahead of summer season est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.