Introduced on 1 April, the airport-based tax refund scheme allows foreign visitors to reclaim up to 85% of the VAT paid on purchases worth at least 300,000 soms (around €21). The remaining 15% goes towards the operational costs of the refund system.

Visitors are eligible to reclaim VAT whether the purchase was made by cash or card. For cashless transactions, VAT is refunded within three working days after the goods have left the country.

#Uzbekistan improves #VAT refund ( #TaxFree ) system for foreign visitors.
Starting April 1:
refunds at all international airports
cash refunds (85% VAT) or bank card refunds within 3 days
min purchase: 300,000 UZS
more goods eligible
https://t.co/RtzGSTuHX5 pic.twitter.com/dOPhArg6l5

— Uzbektourism.uz (@Uzbek_Tourism) March 10, 2026

Introduced following a presidential decree issued on 5 March, the measures aim to strengthen Uzbekistan’s tourism economy by attracting more international visitors and encouraging higher retail spending. Uzbekistan’s national tourism authorities said in a press release that “the previously limited list of goods eligible for Tax Free (with the exception of food products) has been abolished.”

Authorities also plan to expand the scheme beyond airports in phases, making refunds available at border checkpoints, train stations, and commercial retail outlets.

Officials also intend to digitise the process through websites and mobile apps, making VAT refunds quicker and reducing administrative paperwork for travellers.

Uzbekistan has been pursuing a pro-tourism and long-term development strategy targeting three core goals: raising tourism’s share of GDP to 7%, attracting 20 million foreign visitors per year, and increasing tourism service exports to more than USD $6 billion.

The Central Asian former Soviet republic is known for its landscapes, architecture, culture, and heritage, with the romance of Samarkand, a major Silk Road city, closely linked to the country’s role on the ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean.

Uzbekistan welcomed a record-breaking 11.7 million international visitors in 2025, a 46.8% increase compared to 2024. Neighbouring Central Asian countries remained Uzbekistan’s largest source markets, with Kyrgyzstan sending 3.3 million visitors, Tajikistan 2.7 million, and Kazakhstan 2.7 million.

L’article Uzbekistan launches VAT refunds for foreign tourists to boost visitor spending est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

ETIAS will bring a United States-style pre-screening approach to border security. It will see non-EU nationals who benefit from visa waivers for the Schengen Area being required to apply for pre-authorisation to travel.

Applications will take place online and will entail would-be visitors to Europe inputting their personal details, travel history, and criminal record, as well as paying a €20 processing fee. Once granted, the authorisation will be valid for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

@_perlaceron Heads up if Europe is on your 2026 or 2027 travel list ETIAS is coming…it’s NOT a visa, it’s a quick online authorization that every American will need before boarding a flight to France, Italy, Spain, Greece and 30+ other countries. Drop where you’re headed in Europe and tell me…did you already know about this?! #etias #europetravel #traveltips #travelalert #travelnews ♬ original sound – Perla Ceron | Travel Advisor

But with ETIAS due to start in late 2026 after several delays already, EU officials are reportedly becoming increasingly concerned about the system’s implementation. While the bloc continues to maintain that the last quarter of the year is still the target, eu-LISA, the agency responsible for the Etias rollout, no longer believes that timetable is achievable, according to three unnamed insiders who spoke to the Financial Times.

Part of the problem is software development, with the system still not fully functional. Adding to that is the shaky start to the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which came online on 10 April 2026 and is a building block for ETIAS.

The EES requires third-country nationals visiting the EU to register their personal data, including biometrics, which are stored for up to three years to allow the region to better track immigration arrivals and departures. But its rollout has caused widespread travel disruption, with chronic airport queues and port delays experienced across the EU, while some countries have unilaterally suspended its implementation and various stakeholder groups have warned of catastrophic financial losses.

Against that EES backdrop, and with officials estimating that resolving the disruption could take two years, the arrival of Etias on time by the end of 2026 is looking more and more unlikely. Discussions about postponing the rollout reportedly took place in June, with a review set for September, the FT‘s sources said.

For now, though, eu-LISA is toeing the bloc’s line, telling reporters that “at this moment, the proposed entry into operation remains Q4 2026. Preparations for the launch of Etias are ongoing, in close cooperation between the European Commission, eu-LISA and Member States.”

Nonetheless, at the same time, it hinted at possible changes to the schedule to come, adding: “The exact date for the entry into operation of Etias will be proposed by the European Commission, following consultation with eu-LISA and Member States.”

L’article EU’s ETIAS travel authorisation system could be delayed beyond 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The outlook for the peak summer season remains particularly strong. Spanish authorities expect around 43 million international visitors between June and September, a 6% increase compared with the same period last year. Tourism is also expected to generate around €64 billion for the economy during those four months, up 10% year-on-year. The sector remains one of Spain’s main economic pillars, contributing around 13% of the country’s economy and supporting millions of jobs.

Las previsiones de turismo internacional para este verano reafirman que las políticas del @minturgob van en la dirección correcta:

Se prevé que el gasto de los visitantes crezca con más intensidad en destinos tradicionalmente menos turísticos

Hacia un modelo más sostenible https://t.co/GOFD0xlzUG

— Jordi Hereu (@jordihereub) July 6, 2026

Part of this year’s growth has been linked to changing travel patterns. Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have prompted some travellers to choose destinations perceived as more stable, benefiting countries across Southern Europe, including Spain. “Three months ago, we thought the conflict in the Middle East could slow tourist arrivals, but the data shows remarkable resilience despite the circumstances,” said Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu.

Another factor attracting visitors this summer is the total solar eclipse that will take place in August. The rare event will be visible across large parts of northern and inland Spain, drawing astronomy enthusiasts and travellers hoping to experience the eclipse under favourable viewing conditions. According to the tourism minister, many rural accommodations in these regions are already fully booked because of the event. The increased interest is also bringing visitors to destinations that are less familiar to international tourists, helping spread tourism beyond the country’s busiest coastal resorts.

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Rather than focusing solely on increasing visitor numbers, the Spanish government is using the expected record year to promote a different tourism model. Authorities want to encourage travellers to discover inland regions, cultural destinations and nature areas while also extending tourism beyond the traditional summer season. The strategy aims to reduce pressure on the country’s most visited coastal areas and distribute the economic benefits of tourism more evenly across Spain. “We favour what I call calm growth, in other words, growth that can be easily managed,” Hereu said.

The government has been promoting lesser-known destinations through campaigns that highlight Spain’s historic towns, gastronomy, national parks and rural landscapes instead of focusing only on beaches. Officials say travellers are increasingly looking for experiences that combine relaxation with culture, local food and outdoor activities. At the same time, more people are travelling during the spring and autumn, helping to extend the tourism season. That shift gives businesses a longer operating period and provides more stable employment for workers in the tourism sector.

El turismo internacional sigue siendo un pilar de nuestra economía.

En mayo, España recibió 10,3 M de turistas internacionales (+9,5%), que realizaron un gasto de más de 13.500 M de euros, un 10,9% más que en el mismo mes del año anterior.

https://t.co/rHYcaFzbZi pic.twitter.com/mZCmVYavHm

— Ministerio de Industria y Turismo (@minturgob) July 2, 2026

The move towards a more balanced tourism model also comes as Spain continues to face criticism over overtourism. In recent years, demonstrations have taken place in cities including Barcelona, where residents have protested against rising housing costs, overcrowding and the growing number of short-term holiday rentals. Several Spanish cities and regions have responded by tightening regulations on tourist accommodation and limiting new holiday rental licences. According to Hereu, managing tourism more carefully is essential as visitor numbers continue to grow, arguing that “the old formulas no longer work.”

With international demand remaining strong and new attractions such as the August eclipse drawing visitors beyond the country’s traditional beach destinations, Spain appears set for another record-breaking year. At the same time, authorities hope the milestone of 100 million visitors will also mark a turning point in how tourism is managed. By encouraging travellers to explore different regions and visit throughout the year, the government aims to ensure that future growth benefits both visitors and local communities alike.

L’article Spain on track to welcome 100 million international tourists in 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

According to Italy’s Ministry of Tourism, the country is forecast to record an online travel agency (OTA) accommodation occupancy rate of 51.2% during the summer season, ahead of Spain (42.8%) and France (32.9%). At the same time, Italy’s average nightly room rate is expected to remain at €153, below Spain (€170) and Greece (€195), positioning the country as both a highly sought-after and comparatively affordable destination.

The figures, compiled by the Ministry of Tourism’s Statistics Office, are based on OTA booking data and form part of a broader assessment indicating another strong year for Italy’s visitor economy.

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International tourism continues to drive growth

Official figures from the Interior Ministry’s Alloggiati Web platform, combined with data from the Ministry of Tourism and the Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat), show that tourist arrivals increased by 4.43% during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.

International tourism has been the main engine of growth, with foreign arrivals rising by 6.45%, while domestic arrivals increased by 1.97%.

Calabria recorded the strongest overall growth in tourist arrivals, up 10.54%, followed by Umbria (+9.70%), Piedmont (+9.22%), Sardinia (+8.24%) and Puglia (+7.43%).

Foreign visitor numbers grew particularly strongly in Calabria (+23.19%), Puglia (+14.63%), Abruzzo (+14.04%), Molise (+13.14%), Basilicata (+11.55%), Sardinia (+11.44%) and Piedmont (+10.38%).

Meanwhile, non-hotel accommodation continued to outperform traditional hotels, with arrivals increasing by 7.46%, compared with a 2.27% rise for hotel establishments.

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Un post condiviso da ministero del Turismo (@ministeroturismo)

Strong summer outlook

The ministry’s data also points to a particularly busy peak season.

National OTA occupancy for June and July is projected to increase by 13.4% and 10% respectively compared with the same months in 2025.

While seaside holidays remain popular, lake destinations are expected to achieve the country’s highest occupancy rate at 54%, followed by spa resorts and coastal destinations, both at 51%. According to the ministry, demand in these areas is growing at almost twice the national average.

Among Italy’s regions, Veneto is forecast to record the highest occupancy rate (57.5%), followed by Emilia-Romagna (56.7%), the autonomous province of Trento (55.7%), the autonomous province of Bolzano (54.9%), Friuli Venezia Giulia (53.7%), Sicily (53.3%) and Tuscany (52.5%), all above the national average.

The ministry also highlighted growing international interest in travelling to Italy. Flight searches are up 26% compared with last year, led by Poland (+76%), Germany (+66%) and Spain (+48%). Airline capacity on direct scheduled flights has also increased by 14%, exceeding the growth recorded for Spain (+8%), Greece (+7%) and France (+2%).

Demand for the Ferragosto holiday period is also rising, with searches for flights between 14 and 16 August up 17% compared with the same holiday period in 2025.

Tourism remains a strategic sector

Italian Tourism Minister Gianmarco Mazzi said the figures demonstrate Italy’s continued appeal among international travellers.

“The summer of 2026 confirms itself as a success for tourism in Italy, with an OTA occupancy rate of 51.2%, higher than competitors such as Spain and France,” he said.

“The 26% increase in flight searches compared with last year, together with greater airline capacity, demonstrates strong international interest in our country. Italy maintains its position as the preferred destination for visitors from around the world. This result is the fruit of constant teamwork between the government, businesses and tourism operators. We are proud of it and look to the future with optimism.”

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Mazzi also described tourism as a pillar of the national economy, saying the government would continue investing in the sector despite global economic challenges.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni likewise welcomed the figures, saying they recognise “the beauty of our country, the quality of our offer and the hard work of the entire tourism sector.”

She thanked tourism entrepreneurs, workers and professionals for helping make Italy “an increasingly attractive and competitive destination”, adding that the government would continue supporting what it considers a strategic sector for the country’s economic growth.

L’article Italy forecasts it will top European tourism in summer 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Since the 1960s, the Brussels regional tourist office has had an office on the Grand-Place, Brussels central square. It was generally considered a remnant of the so-called ‘Belgique Joyeuse’ era, which included the Expo ’58 and Brussels’ Atomium. However, on 30 June 2026, employees definitively shut the door on visit.brussels’ last physical location – the Brussels Info Place (BIP) on Place Royale already shut down in April.

“The tourist office was able to provide tailor-made guidance to tourists, have a quick chat and send them on their way with a smile. This artisanal dimension of the tourist office will no longer be found here. Every tourist who arrives here tomorrow will have to do without any information. Only Google or the search engines can help them,” commented employee and trade unionist Martin Dekeyser on 30 June, adding that Brussels would be losing a piece of its history.

The closures are the direct consequence of a series of budget cuts imposed by the Brussels Capital Region government. Over time, visit.brussels will lose 64% of its subsidies. In 2026, the regional tourist office will have to operate with €3 million less; by 2029, the loss in subsidies will amount to €6 million.

The subsidy cuts don’t just entail the closure of the physical offices. Overall, 37 out of 159 full-time staff at visit.brussels will have to leave, which is being organised through a voluntary departure plan agreed with the Brussels government. Although the cuts are part of the government’s austerity plan, the unions consider it to be a political rather than an economic choice, stating that although they were presented as inevitable, other choices could have been made.

““We used to help hundreds of visitors every day. During major events, we were even helping as many as 2,000 people a day find their way around Brussels. But that’s all over now. This is a European capital, yet there’s no tourist information service here anymore. From now on, everyone is expected to look everything up online. I simply cannot understand that decision,” former employee Diana Ladrak, who worked at the visit.brussels Grand-Place location for approximately 30 years, told the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.

Brussels’ international trade and promotion offices, too, have been hit hard by the budget cuts. In April, the government announced it would be shutting down at least 14 of its 33 overseas offices, including those in Milan, Barcelona, Geneva, and Shanghai.

With visit.brussels’ last physical location now closed, tourists visiting the Belgian capital and its surroundings will now be forced to look for information online or at their hotel. The Flanders Information Centre and the Visit Wallonia office both closed down over the past year in what seems to be a wave of digitalisation.

L’article Brussels closes its last remaining tourist office amid budget cuts est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Speaking during a press conference in Ireland on Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen admitted that the rollout of the new digital border system has not gone as planned.

“We are working with Member States to resolve these technical issues,” she said, recognising that “there is still a lot to do” to address the operational difficulties.

The comments come after weeks of mounting criticism from airports, airlines, tourism organisations and travellers, many of whom have reported waiting several hours to clear border controls at major European gateways.

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Industry warns of five-hour queues

The EES officially became fully operational on 10 April 2026 after a phased rollout that began in October 2025. The system replaces passport stamps for most non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Area with a digital registration process that records facial images, fingerprints and travel details.

The European Commission says the system is designed to strengthen border security, combat irregular migration and identify travellers who overstay their permitted time in the Schengen Area.

However, its implementation has proved challenging, particularly at airports where first-time registrations require additional biometric checks.

@amber.penny Sheesh guys this was rough after 27 hours of travelling #romeairport #ees #europe #rome #airport ♬ original sound – Mari

Earlier this week, Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, Airlines for Europe (A4E) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that the situation had reached a “critical point”. In an open letter to the European Commission, the organisations said passengers are experiencing border queues of up to five hours during peak periods.

“Passengers have already been forced to wait for long hours outside terminals and in parking areas because border control services are unable to process arrivals quickly enough,” the organisations wrote.

Many travellers have also shared videos on social media showing overcrowded arrival halls and lengthy queues at border control across Europe.

Commission defends the system

Despite acknowledging the operational problems, the European Commission continues to defend the Entry/Exit System as a key element of the EU’s external border management.

According to the Commission, the system is essential for knowing who enters and leaves the European Union while improving security and helping authorities detect fraud, identity abuse and irregular migration.

Since the rollout, more than 40,000 people have reportedly been refused entry because of invalid documentation or failure to meet entry requirements, while more than 1,000 individuals have been identified as posing potential security risks.

Securing EU borders since 12 October: our new Entry/Exit System. Member States have caught human traffickers, stopped potential terrorists, and uncovered fraud in unprecedented ways. All thanks to our new system that collects and matches biometric data at border crossing points. pic.twitter.com/21IS4Z8H5k

— Magnus Brunner (@magnusbrunner) July 6, 2026

The Commission also maintains that member states and airports had sufficient time to prepare for implementation and insists that responsibility for providing adequate staffing and infrastructure lies primarily with national authorities.

A Commission spokesperson has previously said that the impact remains limited at most European airports and that Brussels continues to support both member states and the aviation sector in addressing implementation challenges.

Calls for greater flexibility

As reported by Travel Tomorrow, aviation organisations are urging Brussels to allow member states greater flexibility to temporarily suspend EES procedures whenever border control capacity is exceeded.

The proposal would enable authorities to pause biometric registration during exceptionally busy periods in July and August while maintaining standard passport checks.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has also called for a more coordinated approach, including wider use of the Travel to Europe mobile application for pre-registration and better communication with travellers before departure.

Meanwhile, some destinations have already introduced temporary measures. Greece has suspended biometric collection at certain entry points during periods of heavy traffic, while Rome’s airport operator has indicated it will also seek to pause parts of the system to avoid disruption during the busiest weeks of summer.

@WTTC endorses the request from @ACI_EUROPE, @A4Europe and @IATA for a coordinated implementation of the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES).

Secure borders and seamless travel must go hand in hand to protect Europe's competitiveness and the traveller experience.

Read our…

— WTTC (@WTTC) July 2, 2026

Delays could continue for years

Although the Commission is working with member states to improve operations, officials have warned that travellers should not expect an immediate solution.

In late June 2026, Frontex deputy executive director Uku Särekanno said disruption linked to the Entry/Exit System could take between one and two years to stabilise, explaining that the registration of fingerprints and facial images during travellers’ first visit to the Schengen Area remains the most complex part of the process.

For now, airlines continue to advise passengers travelling to the Schengen Area from outside the European Union to allow considerably more time than usual for border formalities, particularly at major international hubs where first-time EES registrations are creating the greatest delays.

L’article EU admits there is “much to do” as EES border delays continue to disrupt summer travel est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Tavolara Bay project in Cala Finanza, in the Loiri Porto San Paolo municipality,  would have seen the renovation of an existing villa and the creation of a “glamping site” opposite the island of Tavolara and 20km south of Porto Rotondo. The full proposal from Brazilian company JHSF, which operates the Fasano luxury hotel chain, also involved around 20 cabins, which JHSF said would not have increased the overall built floorspace.

But in 2006, Italian billionaire and President of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Renato Soru, had effectively outlawed any development on Sardinia’s coastline with a directive that no building could take place within 300 metres of the sea.

@americanmominthemed SAVE SARDINIA Spero di vedervi in tanti domani alla manifestazione a Cala Finanza If you don’t understand Italian, please read the subtitles as this is a very important issue, if you are currently in Sardinia you are welcome to join us in protest tomorrow in Cala Finanza in hopes to preserve the beautiful wild coasts of the island #calafinanza #sardegna #manifestazione ♬ original sound – Charlotte | Life in Italy

Two decades later, to get around that restriction on development in a protected marine zone, JHSF had requested the creation of a special economic zone (ZES). A scandal developed when planning was approved before the economic zone was rubberstamped back in February 2026.

Protests and rallies then ensued, staged by Sardinians in opposition to the real estate project, and as a result, the permit was withdrawn in early July, with local politicians framing the outcome as a win for Sardinian autonomy and calling for resignations.

Francesco Mura, coordinator of the Melonian Party in Sardinia, said the situation should “have inevitable political consequences” since it had “exposed the entire Region to institutional disgrace”, meaning that sackings should follow “out of respect for the citizens and to safeguard the credibility of the municipal administration of Loiri Porto San Paolo.”

“Sul resort a Tavolara abbiamo avuto ragione. La Sardegna ha avuto ragione. Il Governo ha provato a decidere al posto nostro ma ha dovuto arrendersi all'evidenza e fare un passo indietro, revocando l'Autorizzazione Zes”. La Presidente della Regione Sardegna Alessandra Todde… pic.twitter.com/6cNHz44BTk

— Adnkronos (@Adnkronos) July 3, 2026

But Mayor Francesco Lai trod a more circumspect line, focusing on lessons learned and governmental cooperation. “This affair must be a lesson,” he said. “For everyone. For investors, first and foremost: Sardinia is not up for grabs.” He hailed the decision as “a victory for the principle of loyal cooperation between institutions. It demonstrates that when a municipality exercises its prerogatives seriously and rigorously, the state knows how to listen. And how to correct itself.”

The scandal comes amid similar recriminations about a massive resort that Donald Trump’s son-in-law wants to build on the fragile Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape lagoon area near Vlorë, Albania.

At the same time, the sustainable development of marine tourism has been a hot topic at the Global Tourism Forum in Angola, where investors are increasingly drawn to the country’s so-called “blue oil”: one of Africa’s longest coastlines, and the promise and pressure it brings.

L’article Luxury resort in Sardinia loses planning permission after local backlash est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

During his keynote presentation, “Yachts & Floating Destinations: The Missing Tourism Asset of Africa,” at the summit in Luanda, Joujou said marine tourism remains underdeveloped around the world, despite strong demand.

For Angola, tourism has sometimes been described as “green oil,” but Joujou suggested that a country with one of Africa’s longest and most diverse coastlines, at 1600km, should also look to its “blue oil,” tapping into its ocean, coastline, and water-based resources.

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Pointing out that if tourists were asked whether they would like to spend a night on a yacht, most would say yes, Joujou noted that only a small proportion of travellers have actually done so, highlighting that the tourism industry could better structure nautical tourism as an accessible, scalable product.

Yachting, he said, is still too often seen as exclusive and tricky to arrange, associated with private charters, marina operators, technical arrangements and “high barriers to access,” but booking a yacht-based overnight experience could and should become as simple as booking a hotel, villa or resort room.

Nautical tourism could become “simple, visible and bookable,” Joujou said, moving from a niche luxury segment into a major new category of global tourism. Yet, his words come as premium and luxury travel experiences are seeing a surge, meaning there is a balance for stakeholders to strike between creating an offer that can be seen as aspirational, while making it attainable.

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Continuing on the theme of accessibility, Joujou said tourism developers have tended to treat the ocean as a backdrop, entering into what he called a “vertical paradox,” where a small strip of waterfront becomes expensive and desirable, while the marine environment that lies beyond remains underused.

Instead, he said, floating hotels, yacht stays, overwater villas, floating beach clubs, marina destinations, and water-based terminals could all generate tourism value, permitting destinations to expand their hospitality capacity beyond conventional land-based development. The Maldives, Venice, Amsterdam, and Monaco all provide prime examples of a “water-based signature” that can solve land limitations and avoid overbuilding on fragile coastlines, and that Angola could emulate.

The technology and concept for such floating assets already exist, Joujou noted, but now need to be designed in varied sizes and styles, with diverse investment formats, depending on the market, to facilitate commercialisation.

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Connectivity was another challenge identified by Joujou during the speech, but emerging marine transport technologies could change that, he said, pointing to new battery-powered vessels and seaglider-style technologies that are as practical and speedy as a taxi service.

For Africa, avoiding the perception that complex transfer services are required to reach remote nautical destinations could be transformative, Joujou said, underlining the work his firm, V-Marine, is doing in relation to floating terminals as part of the next phase of marine tourism infrastructure that means beach clubs and resorts no longer have to be attached to land.

For Angola, Joujou said, floating terminals present an opportunity to avoid copying traditional resort models and to innovate from the start as a nation capturing attention and capital through a coastline that is vast, visually powerful, and largely unknown to international travellers.

Joujou called on policymakers and investors to see blue water not as the “end of the land” but “the beginning of a new tourism activity” that could become a pillar of Angola’s tourism future.

L’article Angola’s coastline could become Africa’s next tourism asset, V-Marine founder says est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Passport rankings aren’t new. Every year, a few organisations publish their overview of the world’s strongest passports. Among them, the Henley Passport Index is probably the most well-known and is based on the number of visa-free destinations per passport. In its 2026 top 10 of countries with the most powerful passports, the Henley Passport Index mentions Singapore, Denmark, and Soutch Korea as the global winners.

On 1 July 2026, however, investment migration firm Global Citizen Solutions launched the fifth edition of its Global Passport Index (GPI). Contrary to most other rankings, which mainly take into account the number of visa-free destinations, the GPI synthesises fourteen indicators overall across three weighted pillars: Enhanced Mobility, Investment, and Quality of Living – including factors such as economic competitiveness, healthcare, tax environment, climate, safety, and social infrastructure. This led to a Europe-driven top ten, with the exception of Singapore.

“Europe’s dominance of the Global Passport Index is total at the top, and it is built on balance, not on any single strength. The nine most powerful passports in the world in 2026 are all European, led by Sweden, Switzerland, and Finland. What is striking is how they win. On pure travel freedom Singapore beats every one of them, and on raw investment pull several Gulf and Asian states rival them. Europe’s edge lies elsewhere: it is the only region that pairs near-maximum global access with the world’s highest quality of life, the one dimension no government can create through treaties or tax incentives,” said Patricia Casaburi, CEO at Global Citizen Solutions.

According to Global Citizen Solutions, three macro-developments were defining in 2026.   

The mobility divide continued to harden: Sweden (96.05) now sits 72.95 points above Afghanistan (23.10), and the gap between the strongest and weakest passports has widened in every edition since 2021, the top of the ranking gaining incrementally while the bottom loses ground in absolute terms.  

The bilateral analysis underlying the 2026 index reveals: reciprocity is not the rule on bilateral mobility agreements, and that the world’s most privileged passports are concentrated in the wealthy Anglosphere and Gulf sates.  

The two halves of the global system moved in opposite directions: the Global North converged on digital pre-screening (the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation, the EU Entry/Exit System and forthcoming ETIAS, and the long-standing US ESTA), adding friction even to destinations the index scores as highly open. Meanwhile Asia, led by China’s visa-free expansion to roughly fifty countries with the United States pointedly excluded, moved the other way, a system liberalising and tightening at once, along lines that track wealth and geopolitics rather than any global trend. 

The Global Passport Index invites people to look beyond the sheer number of visa-free destinations, while also underlining the fact that it is becoming harder than ever for holders of a restricted passport to gain global access.

L’article Sweden tops new passport index as Europe dominates global ranking est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

International tourist arrivals to OECD countries increased by an estimated 3.4% in 2025, reaching a record 847 million visitors, following an 8.1% increase in 2024 when arrivals surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

While demand remains strong, the report warns that tourism is entering a period of heightened uncertainty, requiring governments and businesses to shift their focus from simply attracting more visitors to managing destinations more sustainably and building resilience against future shocks.

“Tourism continues to grow, generating business opportunities, jobs and tax revenues across the OECD,” said OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann.

“Governments and businesses need to work together to sustain this growth and build resilience. This means applying the lessons of the pandemic and the conflict in the Middle East to strengthen crisis preparedness, and managing tourism and visitor flows to ensure the sector delivers lasting benefits.”

Geopolitical tensions reshape travel patterns

According to the report, the conflict in the Middle East has already disrupted international travel flows, increased operating costs and weakened traveller confidence.

Countries in the region have been the hardest hit, alongside destinations that rely heavily on Gulf aviation hubs for connectivity. The OECD expects these effects to continue in the near term, despite recent diplomatic efforts to restore confidence.

Safety concerns, affordability and the risk of cancellations are increasingly influencing travellers’ decisions. As a result, many tourists are opting for destinations perceived as safer and more familiar, choosing shorter holidays and lower-cost travel options.

The OECD says airlines, tour operators and destinations will need to anticipate these changing patterns as they plan for 2027 and beyond.

Strong performers and lagging markets

Performance varied considerably across OECD countries in 2025.

Finland recorded the strongest growth in international arrivals, up 16.5%, followed closely by Japan (15.8%), South Korea (15.7%) and Norway (12.5%).

Japan and South Korea continued to benefit from the momentum created in 2024, when inbound tourism surged by more than 47% in both countries, supported by expanded air connectivity and the weak Japanese yen.

Not every destination shared in the recovery.

International arrivals declined in Canada (-0.6%), Germany (-0.8%), Ireland (-2.8%) and the United States (-5.5%), with all four countries remaining below pre-pandemic levels. Tourism to Israel continues to be severely affected by regional conflict, with inbound arrivals still down more than 70% compared with before the pandemic.

From tourism promotion to tourism management

Beyond the headline figures, the report argues that tourism policy is undergoing a fundamental shift.

Rather than measuring success purely by visitor numbers, governments are increasingly focusing on how tourism can deliver lasting economic benefits while protecting local communities and the environment.

Destination management, visitor flow distribution and resilience are becoming central policy priorities, particularly as overtourism places increasing pressure on infrastructure in some locations while other regions remain under-visited.

The report also highlights the growing importance of digitalisation and artificial intelligence, which are enabling destinations to improve planning, analyse visitor flows in real time and provide more personalised travel experiences.

Governments are also investing in more sophisticated tourism data systems to support evidence-based decision-making.

To support businesses, the OECD recommends reducing regulatory burdens, improving access to finance, investing in workforce skills and accelerating both digital and sustainable transitions.

Climate resilience moves up the agenda

The report identifies extreme weather-related events as one of the sector’s most significant long-term challenges.

As heatwaves, floods, wildfires and storms become more frequent, governments are being urged to integrate climate risk assessments, early warning systems and crisis planning into tourism strategies.

The OECD also calls for greater investment in resilient tourism infrastructure, including nature-based solutions, while helping tourism businesses develop the skills needed to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

EU prepares new sustainable tourism strategy

The report was launched with support from the European Commission, as the institution prepares its upcoming EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism.

In a statement accompanying the publication, the Commission stressed that tourism is “no longer just about attracting visitors” but about managing destinations in ways that benefit residents, businesses and the environment alike.

Speaking at the report’s launch, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Deputy Director-General Maja Bakran highlighted the need to move from tourism promotion towards smarter destination management.

According to the Commission, this includes balancing economic growth with environmental protection and residents’ quality of life, improving the use of data and digital tools, strengthening governance across all levels of government and building a more resilient tourism sector that preserves Europe’s natural and cultural heritage while benefiting local communities.

The OECD concludes that maintaining tourism’s strong economic contribution will depend less on attracting ever-growing visitor numbers and more on managing growth effectively, improving resilience and ensuring that tourism delivers long-term value for destinations and the people who live there.

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