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Europe’s Digital Entry System Has a New Launch Date

The European Travel and Authorisation System (ETIAS), the digital entry system that will add a small fee and more streamlined customs approach for non-EU travelers visiting the European Union, has once again been delayed, with officials noting that it will finally launch in late 2026. 


Travelers heading to Europe this year won’t have to worry about when ETIAS will launch and whether

Air Canada’s updated pet travel policy in effect June 1

Air Canada has announced an update to its pet travel policy.

Starting June 1, all pets travelling in the cabin must be transported in soft-sided carriers, according to the airline.


After this date, hard kennels will no longer be accepted on board any flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, or Air Canada Express.


“If your itinerary includes a flight operated by

Spain's top court backs Barcelona's plan to ban holiday apartments

One of Spain's top courts on Thursday backed a plan by Barcelona to ban holiday apartment rentals by 2028, rejecting an appeal that argued the measure infringed on the rights of private property owners.

Barcelona was the first Spanish city to adopt a radical decision to shut down all short-term rentals as a way of addressing rising rents.


Following the court ruling, Barcelona's local

Bali’s Beach Holidays May Get Pricier as Officials Push for New Tourism Tax

Bali’s iconic beach holidays could soon become more expensive as officials propose a new tourism tax aimed at addressing the challenges of overtourism.


Authorities are considering a daily fee for visitors, similar to Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee, which charges most international travelers $100 (€95) per day. The proposed system could limit visitor numbers and encourage more responsible

Maldives to Enforce Propeller Guard - Mandatory Regulation for Excursion Vessels

The Maldives government has once again taken a bold step in the conservation of whale sharks (Fekhurihi) by introducing strict measures to strengthen the protection of propellers on excursion boats.


“Sometimes more than 100 tourists swim for one whale shark ; no set policy. Even boats venture into this area,” said the Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Mr. Toriq Ibrahim.

Andhra Pradesh will introduce entry fees to popular beaches across the state from January 1, 2025

In a bid to improve beach infrastructure, the Andhra Pradesh (AP) Tourism Department is introducing entry fees at popular beaches across the state from January 1, 2025. This is an important decision to improve tourism infrastructure, maintain cleanliness and promote sustainable development.


Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh emphasized the need for an integrated approach to beach development,

Maldives government announces new vaporizer products regulations

The Maldives government has announced new vaping regulations that will apply to everyone in the country, including visitors. These measures are part of the government's efforts to strengthen public health.


November 15, 2024: A ban on the import of vaping devices, accessories and parts will come into effect.


15 December 2024: The ban will apply to the possession, use, production,

Preserving Pompeii: archaeological site introduces daily visitation restrictions to combat overtourism

According to the latest news reports, from November 15, the archaeological park Pompeii is ready to introduce a limit on the number of visitors, setting a daily limit of 20,000 tickets to control crowd sizes. It will begin scheduling tickets to control the number of visitors during peak times.


Tickets will also be available during specific time slots to help control crowds. The park is

Qatar Tourism updates rules for maritime tourism transport

In line with international best practice, Qatar Tourism has issued new classification guidelines for owners and operators of marine tourism vehicles and has outlined the technical requirements and specifications required to operate these vessels. These updates are in accordance with the Tourism Regulation Law No. (20) of 2018.


Category (A) vessels that do not meet the classification standards

The historic village of Bukchon Hanok in Seoul will impose a tourist curfew over concerns about overtourism.

New curfew policy aimed at controlling overtourism in Seoul's beloved hanok village of Bukchon is due to be trialled in November and could be officially launched by March next year. Dating back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), this historic district is known for its iconic hanok houses and quaint alleys. But for locals, the influx of tourists has turned what was once a quiet residential area into

Jaipur to celebrate eco-friendly Diwali and Christmas: Rajasthan introduces new fireworks rules

Diwali is just around the corner and India is gearing up to tackle all the pollution. In an attempt to control sound and air pollution, Jaipur in Rajasthan has set new rules and regulations for fireworks displays to combat pollution and ensure safety on Diwali, Christmas and New Year's Eve. The rule is being implemented by the Government of Rajasthan and the Department of Environment and Climate

Prague bans pubs at night to combat noise and overtourism

In a recent update, Prague, the beautiful capital of the Czech Republic in Europe, approved a ban on organized late-night pub crawls in its historic center. The new move will come into effect from November. According to reports, pub crawling is one of the main attractions for tourists in Prague and involves groups moving from bar to bar until late at night. The practice has become a major source

Indigenous community bans tourists from Columbia's Green Lake to save their spirituality

Tourists are now banned from Colombia's sacred Green Lake as indigenous leaders work to preserve its pristine beauty. Situated in the crater of the half-dormant Azufral volcano in southwestern Colombia, this striking green lake once attracted many visitors, some of whom left behind trash and disturbed the tranquility of the area. Rising to an altitude of 4,070 meters (2.5 miles) in the western Colombian

New trekking rules in Karnataka: limit of 300 trekkers per day introduced

The Karnataka government has imposed a limit on the number of tourists at trekking sites across the state. According to the new regulation, the number of tourists is now limited to 300 per day on all trekking routes. This move was taken to try to control overcrowding in these areas and protect the environment. The need to balance ecotourism with environmental conservation was acutely felt as back

Finland is tightening the rules for obtaining citizenship, extending the period of residence to 8 years from October 2024

If you are applying for Finnish citizenship, the new rule, which comes into force on October 1, 2024, requires that you have a residence period of eight years. For anyone applying from this date, priority language proficiency and long-term residence will play a decisive role in the naturalization process. Applicants who meet the language proficiency requirements will be able to apply after five

Greece bans short-term rentals in Athens

The Greek government has announced a one-year ban on the issuance of new short-term rental licenses in three central areas of Athens, which will take effect from 1 January 2025.


The decision aims to address the shortage housing, which has been exacerbated by the rise of vacation rental platforms such as Airbnb. Greece, like other popular tourist destinations in Europe, faces the challenge

Will construction of new hotels be banned in Bali?

Bali authorities are proposing a moratorium on the construction of tourist sites in Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan.


The ban is expected to last up to two years to combat overtourism, Bali's acting governor said Sang Made Mahendra Jaya.


He said that the moratorium will apply to the construction of hotels, villas, discos and beach clubs in the Sarbagita area.


A

Thailand plans to reintroduce tourism tax soon

In a recent update, the Thai government plans to reintroduce a tourism tax soon. The news was shared by newly appointed Tourism Minister Sorawong Tienthong. The minister announced plans to revive the 300 baht tourism tax.


New Tourism Minister Sorawong took office on September 16, 2024. He soon expressed a desire to stimulate tourism in Thailand. He committed to increasing the country's

Planning a trip to Athens, Greece? Find out all about the new rental rules

This is important information for those traveling to Athens, Greece. The Greek government has announced a ban on new rental licenses in three central areas, as well as an increase in taxes on such holiday homes. Planners should be aware that the new rules regarding short-term rentals will remain in effect for at least a year.


About the tax

Like several other European tourist destinations,

Vientiane bans import of Buddha images to support local artists

On August 20, the Department of Information, Culture and Tourism of the capital Vientiane (DICT) issued a notice banning the import of Buddha images and Buddhist relics in an attempt to promote locally produced artifacts.


The notice emphasized the importance of supporting local artists and artisans by encouraging the use of locally produced Buddha images.


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