Some European beach resorts have been associated with topless sunbathing for many years but authorities across the country, from the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, up to the English Channel, are increasingly cracking down on men who walk about town naked from the waist up.

Narbonne in the southwest is one such municipality, where the council has brought in a ban on toplessness, explaining in an announcement that the measure is intended to “preserve public tranquillity, respect for the living environment and the attractiveness of the city centre during the summer season.”

45°C (113°F) is possible Monday/Tuesday in parts of western France. That’s hotter than the current forecast for Phoenix, Arizona.

France is enduring one of the country’s worst heatwaves ever, due to its unprecedented duration, intensity, and extreme temperature anomalies. pic.twitter.com/5jl9thFAKZ

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) June 22, 2026

Anyone flouting the dress code risks a penalty of up to €150, with police responsible for this enforcement. The town’s mayor told the BBC that around 15 people have already fallen foul of the rules.

Nearby Nice introduced a similar policy years ago in 1999, limiting toplessness to the beach with fines of €35. Deauville and La Grande-Motte are following suit, with Deauville increasing its financial penalties for indecent dress almost 10 times, from €17 to €150.

In 2025, Les Sables d’Olonne on the Vendée departement’s Atlantic coast, long renowned as an elegant bathing resort, introduced €150 fines and appealed to visitors to “behave themselves” and put some clothes on, with a poster campaign declaring: “200 years of Sablon elegance should not end in Y-fronts on our streets.”

The trend reflects increasing divergences between those who believe in French tolerance and “laissez-faire” and those who want to impose more “traditional values.” Recent years have seen fierce debate in France about women who wear full-body coverings such as “burqinis” on the beach, resulting in surreal situations where French police have ordered women to undress on the shoreline.

The new rules and fines being introduced also go hand-in-hand with increasing anti-tourism sentiment and a drive by authorities to help tourists better “fit in” with locals, by obeying social norms. It is no coincidence that the rules are being seen in France, the world’s most visited country, and Spain – a close runner up – where anti-tourism protests have been rife.

Interestingly, of 102 million international visitors in France last year, 28% of men think toplessness is okay, a Perspectus Global survey found, so some conflict about the resort rules could be coming. Yet however people feel about the measures, unless they wish to lose some of their summer holiday budget on a toplessness fine, popping on a T-shirt is probably a good idea (and will help prevent sunburn in those extreme temperatures too!).

L’article France introduces €150 fines for going topless in holiday hotspots this summer est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The scheme, created under Presidential Decree No. 702 and promoted by Moscow as a form of “humanitarian support,” offers a route into Russia for citizens of countries the Kremlin accuses of advancing “destructive neoliberal” policies. It allows eligible applicants to enter on a private visa and then seek temporary residence without some of the usual requirements, including proof of Russian language ability, knowledge of Russian history or understanding of the country’s legal system.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

"Traditional values are the moral guidelines that our forefathers have laid down over the centuries. They are the basis of our civilisation and identity, the pillar of life for individuals and families. They mould our culture, our… pic.twitter.com/syuInFPwTj

— Russian Embassy in South Africa (@EmbassyofRussia) June 11, 2025

Alexey Klimov, who heads the consular department of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, told RIA Novosti that Russian diplomatic missions and consulates issued the visas during 2025. The most went to German nationals, with 168 visas, followed by French citizens with 140 and US citizens with 105. Italy accounted for 100 approvals, while Estonia, Latvia, Canada, Lithuania, and Australia were also among the leading source countries.

For the travel sector, the figures offer an early indication of how Russia is trying to recast migration and long-stay travel as part of its wider ideological messaging. Rather than presenting the initiative as a conventional work, study or investment route, officials have framed it around cultural alignment and family life.

President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly positioned Russia as a destination for foreigners who feel alienated by social changes in their home countries. Earlier this month, he said Russia would welcome those wishing to “live, work and raise their children” in the country while preserving traditional family values.

The programme was introduced in August 2024 and applies to citizens or permanent residents of a list of countries and territories that includes much of Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea. Russian consular guidance describes the visa as a single-entry private visa valid for up to three months, intended to let applicants enter Russia before applying for temporary residence.

Recently, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, plans were unveiled to establish a town in the Nizhny Novgorod region where 450 European families could be relocated under the “traditional values” scheme.

The initiatives come as Russia continues to tighten its domestic stance on social issues and intensifies its anti-Western rhetoric during the war in Ukraine. Moscow has expanded restrictions on LGBTQ-related expression and gender transition in recent years, moves that have drawn condemnation from rights organisations and Western governments.

Western media have widely referred to the route as an “anti-woke” visa, though Russian officials use the language of traditional values and humanitarian assistance. Klimov did not say how many of the visa recipients ultimately settled in Russia or whether they remained in the country after arrival.

While the overall number remains modest compared with mainstream migration flows, the programme is notable for the way it blends tourism, residency, and political identity. For travellers considering Russia, it also highlights the increasingly politicised nature of entry routes at a time when many Western governments continue to advise caution over travel to the country.

L’article Russia granted more than 1,100 ‘anti-woke’ visas to foreigners in 2025 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The ambitious project, which combines the renovation of the existing building with the construction of a 260-metre tower, has been entrusted to Swiss architecture studio Herzog & de Meuron. The firm is known for landmarks such as London’s Tate Modern, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie and Beijing’s Bird’s Nest stadium, and for its approach of adapting existing structures rather than erasing them.

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“Rather than altering its identity, the project seeks to strengthen its relationship with the city and its public realm”, as the studio put it.

The building is centrally situated, sitting on Tirana’s main ceremonial axis, close to Mother Teresa Square, the University of Tirana, the Prime Minister’s Office, and other major state institutions.

The architects plan to preserve the identity of the original Palace of Congresses, designed by Albanian architect Klement Kolaneci and completed in 1986 during the final years of the country’s communist regime. The intervention on the historic building will remain deliberately restrained, focusing mainly on opening it up to the surrounding city and improving its connection with public space.

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A new “Palace Garden” will replace the building’s more formal surroundings, creating a more accessible urban gathering place. The new green space is expected to host public events and become a popular meeting point for residents and visitors.

Behind the existing structure, the new tower will rise above the capital, housing offices and a hotel. The building has been designed as a sculptural landmark and is described by Herzog & de Meuron as being “shaped by vernacular logic”. It boasts an angular, faceted form with a mesh-like façade and truncated upper floors, contrasting with the horizontal lines of the old congress hall below.

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The two structures will be connected through a new stylobate – the large, raised base at the foot of the tower built above the existing building – designed to link the historic palace with the new vertical extension while creating additional shared spaces.

The renovation will also include the Palace’s main wood-lined concert hall, which will accommodate around 2,100 people, alongside upgrades aimed at adapting the venue to contemporary cultural and public uses.

The project is the latest example of Albania’s rapidly evolving identity. Over the past decade, the Albanian capital has attracted international architects and experimented with bold urban projects, while also confronting the legacy of decades of isolation under Enver Hoxha’s dictatorship.

Rather than demolishing its difficult past, Albania has increasingly chosen to transform it. The former residence of dictator Enver Hoxha has become an art and cultural space, while the country’s infamous bunkers, once symbols of paranoia and isolation, have found new lives as museums, cafés and tourist attractions.

With the Palace of Congresses project, Tirana continues this balancing act between memory and reinvention, turning another relic of its past into part of its future.

L’article Tirana to modernize communist-era Palace of Congresses and build 260-meter skyscraper est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The joint study, produced by the Brunei-based organisation Borneo Futures, the initiative World Weather Attribution, and Liverpool John Moores University, found that at least 58 Tapanuli orangutans were killed during the disaster. The estimate was based on a survey of the western part of the Batang Toru forest, which is home to most of the species’ total population of around 800 individuals. The true death toll could, however, be significantly higher, as the study only covered part of the forest.

The Tapanuli orangutan was only officially recognised as a distinct species in 2017, marking the first time in nearly a century that a new great ape species had been identified by scientists. These primates are renowned for their intelligence, complex social behaviours and tool-using abilities.

Cyclone Senyar triggered extreme rainfall across parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, causing devastating floods and landslides. In Indonesia alone, the disaster killed at least 1,200 people and damaged around 300,000 homes.

Environmental groups have said that rapid deforestation on the island of Sumatra worsened the impact of the catastrophe and could have long-term consequences for already vulnerable species. Researchers have found that human-induced climate change appears to have intensified both the rainfall and the frequency of extreme weather events around the Malacca Strait.

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The findings regarding orangutans were inferred by analysing satellite images of the damage to the western block of Batang Toru and by consulting historical records of orangutan populations in the area. Erik Meijaard, lead author from Borneo Futures, explained that without sufficient forest cover to stabilise the soil, heavy rainfall causes the hillsides to become saturated and collapse in the form of fast-moving landslides, leaving the orangutans with little chance of survival.

“This level of loss is substantial for a species with such a small total population. When combined with ongoing pressures such as habitat degradation and human–wildlife conflict, it further increases the urgency of implementing and adequately funding a coordinated species action plan,” said Meijaard.

His concerns were echoed by Indonesian conservationist Panut Hadisiswoyo, and both researchers urged the authorities to work more closely with NGOs and scientists to prevent similar disasters and protect the remaining population.

While hunting and poaching have historically contributed to the decline of orangutans across Sumatra, conservationists say that the greatest threats today come from habitat destruction, forest fragmentation, infrastructure projects, and human-wildlife conflict, as orangutans are pushed into increasingly smaller areas.

Hadisiswoyo added that, although hunting can be reduced and controlled through conservation efforts, poor land management remains a major challenge that must be addressed if the species is to survive.

L’article Deadly Sumatra floods wipe out 7% of world’s rarest great ape population est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

But aside from being holiday relics, buildings genuinely affect how city residents feel, according to a 2025 study of more than 2,000 respondents. Seventy-five percent said buildings had at least some impact on their wellbeing, and 49% admitted to smiling when they walked past “interesting buildings”.

While the study did not establish a direct correlation between building height and smile size, it was enough to prompt Radical Storage, a global luggage storage network operating in over 500 cities worldwide, to conduct further research and develop an index of the world’s top skylines.

From Shenzhen to New York via Dubai, its new ranking might help travellers decide where to go next, or which skyline to frame next.

The ranking weighs five categories: total skyscrapers over 150 metres (30%), the average height of a city’s ten tallest buildings (25%), nighttime skyline visibility (25%), skyline density (15%) and award-winning skyscrapers (5%). Radical Storage scored the top 100 cities listed by the Skyscraper Center, which ranks urban areas according to their number of buildings over 150 metres, before narrowing the field down to a top ten.

“Together, these weighted factors assess the height, visibility, and design of each skyline to reveal those that offer the most memorable urban experience,” the Radical Storage team explained.

China emerges as the big winner, taking six of the ten spots, with Shenzhen claiming first place.

Bordering Hong Kong, Shenzhen and its 679 buildings over 150 metres have built their reputation on speed. The city’s skyline grew so quickly that the term “Shenzhen speed” was coined in the 1980s during the construction of the Guomao Building, when workers reportedly completed one floor every three days. The former fishing town has since transformed into a global technology hub, and the Ping An Finance Centre now stands at 599 metres.

The other Chinese cities in the top ten are Hong Kong (3^rd), Wuhan (yes, that Wuhan) in 5^th place, Guangzhou (6^th), Shanghai (7^th) and Chongqing (joint 9^th).

Probably not what you would expect, when skylines usually bring to mind cities like Dubai, which lands a healthy second place thanks to its 32 supertall towers, including the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 829.8 metres. New York takes fourth place, with the most award-winning skyscrapers of any city on the list, 20 in total, headlined by the Empire State Building, star of everything from King Kong to Elf.

Hong Kong’s dense skyline has played a starring role in Godzilla vs. Kong and The Dark Knight, where Batman famously leaps from the Two International Finance Centre. Shanghai’s Bank of China Tower had its own Hollywood moment in Mission: Impossible III, while Tokyo, tied for ninth with Chongqing, has been a backdrop for Godzilla films since the very first one.

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Ultimately, however, a great skyline is not just about how high or densely a city can build, but how it stays in people’s minds and affects those living beneath it day after day. After all, cities that reach the highest into the clouds are not necessarily those topping global happiness rankings, and the true measure of a place probably goes far beyond its towers.

L’article Shenzhen tops ranking of the world’s best skylines in 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The proposed levy, advanced by the left-wing Barcelona en Comú (BComú) and the pro-Catalan independence Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), with the backing of the governing Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC), would raise Barcelona’s cruise tourist tax to €30 a day, a clear sign that local politicians are looking to curb the impact of the thousands of tourists who disembark from ships during the busy summer months and who, critics argue, contribute relatively little to the local economy compared with the disruption they cause.

The tax currently stands at €11 a day for stays of 12 hours or less, made up of a €5 municipal surcharge and a €6 regional levy. Under existing regional law, Barcelona’s city council cannot charge more than €8 of its own; the new agreement would lift that ceiling to €24, taking the combined tax to €30 once it clears parliament.

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The increase would apply only to cruise ships stopping at the port for less than 12 hours and would not affect cruises beginning or ending in Barcelona, as these are considered to have a more positive economic impact on the city.

The parties behind the rise have differing visions of what the tax should achieve in the longer term. Marc Serra, of the left-wing BComú, said the increase should not be aimed solely at raising revenue but should also act as a deterrent to this type of tourism and send a clear signal about the role the city wants cruise tourism to play.

BComú councillor Carol Recio announced at a press conference last Monday that her party and ERC had reached an agreement with the PSC-led municipal government.

“Collboni says a lot, but does little or nothing,” Recio said, criticising the mayor for decrying the city’s overcrowding while simultaneously striking a deal with Junts on a Usage Plan for Ciutat Vella that, in her view, favours tourism-oriented businesses.

Other parties would prefer Barcelona to impose a hard cap on the number of ships it receives. The council, however, has so far rejected setting an annual passenger limit, considering it more complicated to implement than raising the tax, a position that saw the pro-Catalan independence Junts, the conservative People’s Party (PP) and far-right Vox vote against the increase.

The measure now needs to clear the Catalan parliament as an amendment to the law accompanying the Generalitat’s 2026 budget, with a vote expected on 2 July.

Cruise tourists make up just 2.5% of the city’s daily visitors off-season, a figure that climbs to 7.5% during peak season. They typically spend an average of 5.7 hours in the city.

In its push to capture more value from a tourism sector it says is overwhelming Barcelona, the city has introduced several measures in recent years, from phasing out short-term rentals such as Airbnb to increasing overnight tourist taxes. Both the regional tourist tax and the municipal surcharge were raised again in April this year, putting Barcelona among the highest-taxed cities in Europe for visitors.

Last year, plans were also unveiled to cut the number of cruise terminals at Barcelona’s Adossat wharf from seven to five, reducing the port’s simultaneous cruise capacity from 37,000 to 31,000 passengers by 2030.

The three oldest terminals will be demolished and a new terminal built in their place as part of a wider reorganisation of the port.

Passengers travelling this summer should not be affected by the changes, which are expected to take effect from late autumn or early 2027.

L’article Barcelona plans to triple cruise tourist tax to €30 to tackle overtourism est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The iconic lagoon destination has been making visitors pay an “access charge” if they come for the day only since 2025, when Venice became the world’s first major tourist destination to charge for entry. The five-euro levy applied to 29 peak season days that year and went up the following year to apply to 54 days, doubling for last-minute arrivals. In 2026, the fee is once again in operation, this year on 60 dates.

The Venice tourist fee is payable online, where visitors are given a QR code to pass through access points. Checkpoint staff have been deployed to verify visitor status. Overnight visitors, residents, under 14-year-olds, and a range of other visitors, including students and those entering the city for medical treatment, are exempt but must still register with the scheme.

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Although the scheme has generated significant income in excess of predictions, critics of the scheme, especially residents in the north-eastern Italian city, have said it makes their hometown feel like a theme park. They also note that the excess income is an indication that the programme has failed to deter the vast tourist numbers the city has been trying to manage since UNESCO warned that overtourism was posing a threat to its World Heritage architecture and culture.

While some say daytrippers and cruise arrivals do not contribute to the local economy in the same way as overnight guests, others argue that it is not daytrippers but overnight guests who clog the city’s narrow passages with wheelie suitcases and, as in other destinations worldwide, have pushed up housing prices by encouraging short-term rentals. Tourists have also been accused of crowding locals out of gondola transport.

But others note the daytripper fee is still in its early stages and must be given time to have an impact. Now, new mayor Venturini has weighed in, calling the fee “the only effective tool to control daily visitor numbers.” Under his scheme, visitors could be charged between €30 and €50 on high-season dates once pre-defined tourist limits have been exceeded.

It is not clear whether impact analyses have been carried out to determine whether such a regime would provide a perverse incentive for tourists to rush to book their visits. But Venturini says the extra income generated by higher charges would “finance city services and support the maintenance and protection of a unique city, built on water, whose costs exceed €100m each year.”

L’article Venice day tripper fee could cost as much as €50 under new mayor’s proposal est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Emirates, Qatar Airlines, and Etihad (the three largest Middle East airlines) have returned to flying at or above 90% of their pre-conflict flight numbers, according to Flightradar24 data. Meanwhile, Gulf Air (usually ranked five for size) and Kuwait Air­ways (outside the top 10) have now exceeded the flight numbers they were handling before the war began in late February 2026.

The geopolitical tensions led to drone attacks and missiles on Gulf infrastructure that effectively closed down aviation in the region and led to the stranding and emergency repatriation of thousands of visitors, amid worldwide travel warnings.

Four months later and with a ceasefire package signed, stakeholders and analysts are hopeful that Gulf airspace and airports, which include some of the world’s busiest international hubs, will see a quick return to business as usual. James Hal­stead, man­aging part­ner at Avi­ation Strategy, reported by Kuwait Times said: “If it gets back to nor­mal, I just see them act­ing as nor­mal, com­ing back in full force.”

In a session on the Middle East with regional partners.

First, we need to ensure the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, without restrictions.

Second, the events in the Strait have highlighted vulnerabilities that we need to adress.

We should… pic.twitter.com/rWMP5xvhV2

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 16, 2026

Aus­tralia recently lifted its alerts for a number of Middle East­ern nations, so that should mean an uptick in traffic. Turkish Airlines resumed flights to Amman, Beirut, and Damascus on 1 May, to Doha on 8 June, and to Dubai on 9 June. And Abu Dhabi is set to hit Turkish schedules again on 1 July.

Air France is set to resume flights to and from Beirut and Dubai on 24 June, when the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)’s “exercise caution” warning for flights to Bahrain, Kuwait, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia, may be eased. SunExpress has suspended Dubai flights until 30 June, and Bahrain, Beirut, and Erbil flights until 14 July.

Similarly, airBaltic is due to resume flights between Riga and Tel Aviv from 1 July, and KLM will recommence Dubai, Riyadh, and Damman operations on 10 August. August is also the month when British Airways will fly again to Doha and Riyadh.

While all that is good news for a region heavily invested in developing its tourism sector as it pivots away from fossil fuel exploitation, Mateusz Klimek, an airline network planning expert, told Euronews Travel: “Many airlines that were flying to the Gulf region have used those planes to add extra capacity to other destinations in Asia as people choose to fly nonstop. Once you add that capacity, you don’t want to change it back because of the disruptions to passengers and the costs.”

Accordingly, British Airways is not due to return to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, or Tel Aviv, until 25 October, and will not be resuming flights to Jeddah at all. Likewise, many carriers, including the Austrian Airlines, airBaltic, Finnair, suspended operations to a range of Middle East destinations until the autumn, and Norwegian has announced an indefinite suspension of its Beirut and Tel Aviv routes.

To tempt travellers back, though, Etihad has a special offer for free Abu Dhabi com­pli­ment­ary med­ical insur­ance from July until Decem­ber. It’s a strategy in line with Emir­ates approach, whose CEO Tim Clark has told Reu­ters promoting the region’s reputation for safety and reli­ab­il­ity is the way to get consumers to return. If it works, the region’s economies could do better than expected, but only last week the Inter­na­tional Air Trans­port Asso­ci­ation slashed its 2026 fore­cast for the aviation sector in half, anticipating net profits of $23 bil­lion – a drop of $22 bil­lion since 2025.

L’article Gulf Airlines return to pre-Iran flight levels but wider aviation recovery stalls est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Boeing 747-8 aircraft, to be known as VC-25B “Bridge”, was gifted “unconditionally” to the US administration in 2025 by the Qatari government and has undergone a refurbishment. Trump presented the makeover at the Maryland airbase, calling the new-look jet, “the world’s most luxurious plane.”

“The workmanship of this plane is when you see it, you won’t believe it,” Trump said, adding: “Actually, the quality of woods, the quality of the materials, the quality of the engines – these engines are the finest, they’re the best in the world, nothing like it.”

“Everything was designed good. It was my taste, I will say,” he told crowds. Noting the new “more appropriate” colour scheme, changed from the traditional pale blue chosen by Jacqueline Kennedy in the 1960s, to the colours of the Stars & Stripes flag, he said: “I like the color of the American flag, right? That makes sense.” The “Old Glory” flag on the tail has also been tweaked. “We put the wave in it,” Trump explained. “We’ve always gone with a straight little noodle, and I never loved that.”

Questions were raised at the time of the Qatari donation last year, with critics pointing out a plethora of concerns about the implications of a gift worth estimated to be worth $400 million from a foreign power, well over the legal limit of $50. But on Friday, Trump insisted the gift is “really an honour.” He added: “I want to thank the Emir of Qatar.”

The exterior modifications mean that the plane now very much resembles Trump’s own private jet. But the Qatari head of state’s choice of interior decor in the plane is reported by the Air Force to have been left almost untouched, with lie-flat seating, tan panelling, and gold light fixtures.

The VC-25B Bridge aircraft has officially arrived at Joint Base Andrews!

More info: https://t.co/xhurcI0mjL pic.twitter.com/zyUpB99jqm

— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) June 19, 2026

Though some updates were binned in order to get the aircraft delivered on schedule, Troy Meink, secretary of the Air Force, said in a statement: “The safety and security of the commander in chief is our highest priority.” He explained: “From the beginning, we meticulously evaluated every requirement to accelerate delivery while maintaining the high standards expected of the presidential mission.”

In terms of first outings for the new jet, the Air Force has announced forthcoming “exam” flights to test the modifications. Mount Rushmore may be one of the destinations that form part of this year’s 250th US Independence Day celebratory calendar, as well as a fly-by of the US Capitol. The plane is intended to be a stopgap until two purpose-built aircraft costing between $3.7 and $5 billion are ready in 2027 or 2028.

Lovers of aviation history may be pleased to hear the old Air Force One Boeing 747-200Bs that were in use since the 1990s will be “fixed up a little bit, not like this one, and we’ll do museums,” Trump said. “They’re great planes, they’re great history.”

L’article Trump reveals revamped Qatari Boeing 747 for Air Force One Fleet est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Held from 17 to 19 June under the patronage of President João Lourenço, the summit brought together an influential international audience that included Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo, UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nowais, tourism ministers, investors, hospitality executives and representatives of international organisations. Over three days, discussions focused on tourism development, aviation, infrastructure, connectivity and investment opportunities across Angola and the wider African continent.

More than 1,000 participants explored investment opportunities

According to organisers, more than 1,000 participants attended the summit in Luanda, making it one of the largest tourism and investment gatherings ever held in Angola.

Delegates from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East took part in ministerial dialogues, investment sessions, business meetings and networking events covering sectors ranging from tourism and hospitality to aviation, infrastructure, technology and destination development.

The scale of the gathering reflected Angola’s determination to increase its visibility among international investors and strengthen its position as one of Africa’s emerging tourism destinations.

Tourism positioned as a pillar of economic diversification

In his opening address, President João Lourenço highlighted the reforms undertaken by Angola to improve the investment climate and support economic diversification. He stressed the government’s commitment to simplifying administrative procedures, attracting foreign investment and creating favourable conditions for business development.

For Angola’s leadership, tourism is increasingly viewed as a strategic sector capable of generating economic growth, creating jobs and supporting development across the country. The summit provided a platform to communicate that vision directly to international investors and tourism stakeholders.

Tourism Minister Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel echoed that message, describing tourism as a key pillar of Angola’s diversification strategy and an important driver of future growth. Throughout the event, Angolan authorities emphasised the need to strengthen tourism infrastructure, improve connectivity and promote the country internationally as both a tourism destination and an investment opportunity.

The discussions also highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the new Dr António Agostinho Neto International Airport and the Lobito Corridor, both viewed as strategic assets for improving regional connectivity and facilitating future economic development.

Luanda welcomes the leading voices in global tourism

The summit’s international profile was reinforced by the participation of some of the most influential figures in tourism, government and investment. Alongside President João Lourenço and Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo, delegates included UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nowais, tourism ministers, business leaders, investors and representatives of international organisations from around the world.

Their presence reflected growing international interest in Angola’s tourism ambitions and demonstrated the country’s increasing visibility on the global tourism stage.

Beyond the formal sessions, the summit provided opportunities for networking, partnership building and investment discussions, helping connect public institutions, private sector stakeholders and international organisations around a shared vision for tourism development.

Angola presents a new image to the world

The summit offered Angola a rare opportunity to present itself directly to international tourism leaders, investors and policymakers. For many participants, it was a first encounter with the country’s tourism ambitions, infrastructure projects and investment opportunities.

Throughout the event, discussions moved beyond Angola’s traditional image as an oil-producing nation and highlighted its growing tourism potential, rich cultural heritage, natural attractions and strategic location on Africa’s Atlantic coast.

The presence of heads of state, international organisations, investors and tourism executives helped reinforce Angola’s message that it is open for business and ready to play a larger role in the global tourism economy.

A significant role was also played by KLEBER GROUP, which supported the international promotion and organisation of the summit. Working alongside Angola’s Ministry of Tourism and international partners, the company contributed to bringing global attention to the country’s tourism and investment opportunities.

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As delegates departed Luanda, the summit’s most significant achievement may not have been measured in agreements signed or announcements made. Instead, it was the opportunity to change perceptions.

For three days, Angola was not discussed primarily through the lens of energy, commodities or geopolitics. It was discussed as a tourism destination, an investment opportunity and a country with ambitions to become a more prominent player in the global travel industry.

Whether that visibility translates into new partnerships, investment and visitor growth remains to be seen. What is already clear, however, is that the Global Tourism Forum succeeded in placing Angola firmly on the radar of the international tourism community.

Whether that visibility translates into new investment and long-term growth remains to be seen. What is already clear, however, is that the Global Tourism Forum succeeded in placing Angola firmly on the radar of the international travel and tourism industry.

L’article Global Tourism Forum concludes after showcasing Angola to the world est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.