UK Visitor Levy Push: Labour mayors in England are moving to impose an overnight “tourist tax” on hotel stays, with a proposed 5% cap pledged by metro leaders after hospitality warned of a jobs “bloodbath” and cost hikes for travellers. East Midlands Devolution: Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire’s mayor has new powers that could let the region charge an overnight levy, adding fuel to the wider UK debate over who pays and what it funds. Cumbria Spotlight: A similar accommodation-percentage levy is set to dominate Cumbria’s 2027 mayoral race, with supporters citing pressure on local services and opponents warning it could deter visitors. Air Connectivity & Tourism: Pakistan urged Hong Kong to resume Cathay Pacific flights, arguing better links would boost trade and tourism. Caribbean Airline Dispute: St Vincent and the Grenadines’ JetBlue debt fight widened as the tourism minister cited a revenue-guarantee ceiling while the opposition disputed the amount owed. Cruise Skills Pipeline: Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence is bringing cruise standards and credentials into tourism education via a classroom-to-guest “living lab” model. Disaster Recovery: Indonesia’s tourism ministry says it’s accelerating recovery for quake and fire-hit destinations while protecting tourist safety and livelihoods. Ferry Tragedy: A Philippine ferry fire near Coron left at least five dead and dozens missing, with the coast guard saying the blaze spread “in seconds.” Tourism Demand Signals: Fiji hit a record July with 105,791 arrivals, topping 100,000 for the first time, helped by steady Chinese market growth.