AGP Executive Report

Air Connectivity: Air Canada and United will add summer 2027 routes linking Canadian cities with Louisville, Indianapolis, Newark, St. John’s and Ottawa, while expanding service to San Francisco and Québec City. Ferry Travel: The CAT ferry between Bar Harbor and Yarmouth carried 44,032 passengers this season, up 10% year over year, and the service has been extended for another year. Seasonal Demand: Cox’s Bazar is preparing for a winter visitor surge with a three-month tourism carnival starting Nov. 1; authorities plan tighter security and action against overcharging as hotels and restaurants gear up. Destination Marketing: Anguilla won Caribbean awards for leading culinary and luxury island destination. Hong Kong is pairing its Oct. 29–Nov. 1 Wine & Dine Festival with a month-long food promotion to attract visitors and spending. Industry Outlook: UK travel executives warn that sustained high fuel costs will push up holiday prices, while airlines cut some winter capacity. Tourism Cooperation: Leaders at Macao’s Global Tourism Economy Forum called for stronger international and public-private partnerships to support resilient, inclusive growth.

Visitor Trends: China’s fast-moving tech—from AI and robotics to drone delivery—is emerging as a tourism draw, industry professionals said at IMEX America in Las Vegas. Chinese outbound trips are also forecast to top 165 million this year, with travelers seeking more tailored, experience-led itineraries. Air Connectivity: Air Caraïbes will launch daily flights between Guadeloupe and St. Maarten on Jan. 8, adding more than 54,000 seats a year and connections to its wider Caribbean and Paris network. Destination Demand: Jeju Island has already set a record for international airport passengers, led by sharp growth from Taiwan, Japan and Singapore, even as Korean visitor numbers weaken. Travel Alert: The EU’s ETIAS authorization is not yet accepting applications and is delayed until at least 2027; travelers should avoid websites claiming to sell permits.

Port Partnerships: Subic and San Diego plan to sign a sister-port agreement covering cruise tourism, cargo links and greener operations, opening new opportunities for both destinations. Climate Readiness: Eastern Visayas tourism operators have been urged to prepare for El Niño, which could strain water supplies and disrupt visitor services; the region welcomed more than 9.3 million visitors in 2025. Airline Networks: Breeze is adding 16 nonstop routes, United is expanding from Cleveland to Las Vegas and Miami, and Air Canada will launch the first North American flights to Seville from Montreal in 2027. Destination Management: Curaçao’s new tourism task force will hear from residents and businesses, but their advice is nonbinding; the government has set no visitor or accommodation limits despite concerns about pressure on local services. Aviation Investment: Lufthansa has won a $1.3 billion bid for a 44.9% stake in TAP Air Portugal.

Hotel Investment: Singapore’s Ascott is expanding near Tokyo Station, planning two more properties to serve international visitors and long-stay guests. Digital Tourism: Tourism Malaysia and Alipay+ will connect travelers with local businesses through digital payments and offers, aiming to spread visitor spending beyond major hubs. Thailand’s Tourism Gap: The country welcomed 23.94 million international visitors through October 10, down 4% year on year and well short of its 36.7 million annual target; tourism revenue also fell. Travel Disruptions: Irregular flights to Nepal’s Mugu have stranded passengers and forced foreign visitors to abandon trips, hurting local tourism businesses. Bali’s fuel-delivery problems have meanwhile triggered queues across the island, exposing risks to a tourism-dependent economy. New Attractions: Florida plans to sink the historic SS United States in November to create a major artificial reef and draw divers and anglers. New York City is also moving to phase out Central Park’s horse-drawn carriages by June 2028 after a tourist’s fatal accident.

Airline Moves: Lufthansa won Portugal’s approval to buy a 44.9% stake in TAP for €1.2 billion, strengthening its reach into Brazil and other markets. Air France will launch Nashville–Paris flights in May 2027, while ITA Airways plans to restore Italy–Venezuela service next March. Tourism Investment: Serbia pitched Belgrade’s 2027 Expo to Croatian travel and business partners, citing new transport links and more than 50,000 planned business meetings. Moldova’s Moldexpo is also proposing a multimillion-euro conversion into a regional hub for exhibitions, conferences, leisure and accommodation. Caribbean Events: Antigua and Barbuda will host the CTO’s 2027 tourism conference, and Anguilla will stage the organization’s first sports tourism summit, targeting visitor spending and local benefits. Destination Watch: Mauritius lifted its overnight curfew after protests over living costs and a police shooting, easing immediate disruption at a major resort destination. Travel Trends: Priceline reports travelers are stretching budgets to splurge selectively, with 62% of U.S. respondents saying they “TripMaxx.” City Attractions: New York plans to phase out Central Park horse-carriage rides by June 2028, ending a long-running tourist draw.

Destination Investment: Tobago opened ANR Robinson International Airport’s new east terminal, while a planned $500 million Marriott resort will add 200 rooms and is expected to create nearly 800 jobs. Growth Targets: Papua New Guinea aims to lift tourism’s annual output above K3.6 billion by 2028, up from an estimated K1.2 billion in 2025. Shanghai’s new plan targets 10 million inbound visitors and 900 billion yuan in annual tourism revenue by 2030. Travel Disruptions: Reported fuel shortages in Bali are causing long queues and disrupting visitors’ plans; the governor says supplies should return to normal within days. Costs and Access: A Bass Coast fee hike for short-stay rentals—from $324 to $600 a year—has drawn complaints that higher costs could discourage holiday-home listings. Thailand, meanwhile, is offering 500-baht discounts on domestic flights from October 15 to encourage travel.

Air Connectivity: ZIPAIR plans year-round Toronto–Tokyo nonstop service in early 2027, while airlines are adding 48,000 seats between China and Auckland for summer. Aegean will also maintain Paphos–Athens flights next year. Caribbean Recovery: Jamaica has secured 1.3 million winter airline seats, up 23% year on year, and expects to restore 88% of hotel-room capacity by December after Hurricane Melissa. Guyana’s hotel supply is forecast to approach 6,000 rooms by year-end. Travel Disruptions: Airlines have suspended Saudi flights through October 17 after an attack near Riyadh airport; Greece has issued red storm alerts, with flooding expected to disrupt transport. Hotel Strategy: Hoteliers weighing soft-brand partnerships face a trade-off: access to major chains’ distribution and marketing versus franchise costs, renovations and the risk of losing a property’s distinctive character.

Malaysia Investment: The government has earmarked RM935 million for tourism and culture and extended Visit Malaysia Year through 2027. Travel agents say funding must reach businesses and local communities, not just boost visitor numbers. Air Connectivity: Fiji Airways carries about 70% of Fiji’s visitors, but limited accommodation makes it harder to turn transit passengers into longer-stay guests. Delta has delayed its Atlanta–Riyadh launch until March 2027 after deadly airport attacks. Tourism Costs: Thailand is weighing a 1,000-baht departure tax and a separate fee for arriving visitors. Travel agents warn higher costs could deter passengers and undermine the country’s aviation ambitions. Industry Events: Hospitality Qatar opened with 120 exhibitors exploring opportunities across tourism and hospitality. Destination Recovery: Jamaica collected several World Travel Awards, including Caribbean’s Leading Destination, as the industry spotlights recovery and resilience. Rail Tourism: Vietnam’s upgraded premium trains on the Ho Chi Minh City–Nha Trang route add refurbished sleeper cars, Wi-Fi and onboard dining to attract travelers.

Destination Marketing: Langkawi is targeting Chinese travellers with a new Xiaohongshu account and a sales mission across four cities, while tourism leaders say India needs more tailored promotion to turn its growing market into stronger inbound demand. Airport Recovery: Jamaica’s Sangster International Airport has been named the Caribbean’s Leading Airport for an 18th straight year, following its rapid recovery from Hurricane Melissa. Managing Growth: Saint Martin will review visitor numbers and stay limits to protect its fragile ecosystem; Thailand’s proposed entry and departure charges could add nearly $80 to some foreign visitors’ costs. Regional Partnerships: Jamaica and Guyana have signed a tourism cooperation agreement, as Caribbean leaders push for closer collaboration and investment.

Disaster Risk: Flash floods in Nepal prompted the army to rescue 95 people, including nine foreigners, underscoring the dangers facing communities and visitors in Himalayan river valleys. Tourism Investment: Malaysia’s Budget 2027 assigns more than RM7 billion to strategic sectors, including tourism, transport and infrastructure; the funding is spread across seven priorities, not earmarked solely for travel. Seasonal Travel: Mekong destinations are promoting rainy-season scenery and greener rural experiences to attract visitors in the traditionally quieter months. Airline Finance: AirAsia’s co-founder met Malaysian officials amid reports of possible government-backed fundraising, but says the talks focused on industry costs, not financial aid. Market Outlook: Jamaica has secured 1.3 million airline seats for winter 2027 despite hotel closures, while WTTC leaders are debating whether tourism growth should focus more on quality and local benefits. Visitor Safety: Thailand recorded 91 tourist road deaths in the first nine months of 2026, renewing calls for stronger action on drink-driving.

Jamaica’s Winter Recovery: Airlines have committed 1.32 million seats for January–April 2027, up 23.5%, even as about 3,500 hotel rooms remain closed after Hurricane Melissa. Caribbean Partnerships: Guyana and Jamaica signed a tourism cooperation deal covering investment, air links, training and sustainable development. Cruise Growth: Salvador opened Brazil’s 2026–27 cruise season and expects nearly 185,000 passengers across more than 50 port calls. Air Connectivity: Ethiopian Airlines marked 10 years in Namibia, while VietJet plans to start three weekly flights linking Ho Chi Minh City, Colombo and Malé on December 5. Visitor Outlook: The Philippines expects fourth-quarter demand to help it reach its 6.4 million international-arrival target despite higher fares and fuel costs. Travel Disruption: Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s airport have heightened regional security concerns, with the airport closed after a deadly strike. Urban Mobility: Dubai began a four-week trial of autonomous Glydways pods at Bluewaters, testing a new on-demand transit option.

Malaysia’s Tourism Push: Budget 2027 raises tourism funding by 32.6% to RM935 million, with heritage restorations and better visitor connections among plans. The campaign will run through 2027 as the country pursues its 47-million-arrival target. Bohol Recovery: Tourist arrivals fell nearly 22% in the first half of 2026. The province plans to rebuild confidence with new international flights, fairer pricing and more sustainable tourism. Marine Tourism: Malaysia’s scuba diving association is seeking a larger role in tourism planning and conservation; it represents a sector with more than 800 businesses and about 500,000 divers. Holiday Let Rules: Welsh tourism operators say the 182-night letting threshold for business rates puts accommodation businesses under pressure. The government is consulting on reducing it. Cruise Market: Japanese operators are launching shorter, lower-cost domestic trips to attract younger travelers, with new sailings ranging from one to three nights.

Destination Recovery: Bohol’s tourist arrivals fell nearly 22% in the first half of 2026. The province plans to restore confidence with new international flights, fairer pricing and improved visitor services. Hotel Capacity: Cuba’s state-owned Gaviota group says just 3,470 of its more than 30,000 rooms are operating, underscoring the depth of the island’s tourism crisis. Airport Disruption: A power outage at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo airport forced manual immigration checks and delayed more than 1,000 international passengers for hours. Cruise Growth: Newcastle is preparing for its biggest cruise season, with 18 ships expected to bring more than 30,000 visitors between October and April. Regional Strategy: Guyana’s president urged Caribbean governments and businesses to invest in tourism and transport links, warning that natural attractions alone will not secure the region’s competitiveness. Visitor Demand: Niagara Parks reported summer attendance up 13% year over year, supporting a peak workforce of 2,000 and new year-round jobs.

Airport Investment: Birmingham Airport has unveiled a £2bn masterplan that could more than double passenger numbers and create thousands of jobs, with improved facilities and surface links proposed. Airline Costs: Delta warns U.S. carriers may need to restrain flight growth next year as fuel costs surge; it has raised fares about 20% and expects its annual fuel bill to climb by roughly $6bn. China Travel: Visa-free entry is helping drive inbound tourism, with trips under the policy up 26.8% in January–August; authorities expected 2.13bn cross-regional trips during the National Day holiday. Regional Access: A tender has launched to revive Pilanesberg International Airport in South Africa, where upgrades are expected to improve access to Sun City and Pilanesberg National Park. Tourism Taxes: Thailand’s hotel association opposes a proposed 1,000-baht departure tax, warning higher travel costs could weaken route demand and deter visitors.

Travel Disruptions: Category 3 Hurricane Isaias prompted evacuation orders for tourists and visitors in parts of Florida and Alabama ahead of landfall. Hotel Labor: Hundreds of workers at six Chicago hotels struck as the city prepares for the marathon, citing stalled negotiations over pay, benefits and workloads. Regional Airlift: InterCaribbean Airways plans daily Trinidad flights and about 50% more seats on the route ahead of Carnival, citing strong demand. Cruise Growth: Dominica opened its 2026/27 season with 267 ship calls and 475,521 passengers projected, while targeting one million cruise visitors a year and urging businesses to capture more local spending. Resilience: Jamaica’s tourism minister called for a permanent Caribbean fund to help destinations, workers and small businesses prepare for hurricanes and other shocks. China Tourism: The country recorded 826 million domestic trips over its National Day holiday, with spending up 4.3% year on year. Hospitality Investment: Hotel Margot reopened in downtown Pensacola, adding 45 rooms as local entrepreneurs invest in the city’s historic centre.

China’s Holiday Boom: National Day travel is shifting toward longer, multi-stop trips: bookings for journeys over 2,000 kilometres rose 25% year on year, while demand from foreign visitors climbed 62%. Tourism and entertainment sales increased 23.6%. Destination Spotlight: Qatar ranked 19th in Condé Nast Traveller’s global awards, the highest-ranked Gulf country, while Vietnam’s Phu Quoc was named Asia’s top island. Maldives Resorts: The IFC outlined financing options to help resorts invest in renewable energy and strengthen resilience; Bank of Maldives also urged hoteliers to make payments easier for guests and local businesses. Visitor Levy Concerns: FSB Scotland wants North Lanarkshire to pause its proposed tourism tax, warning small guesthouses and B&Bs may struggle with administration and citing rollout problems in Edinburgh.