Latest news with #UNWTO
Zawya
30-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Tourism and civic infrastructure upgrade plans reviewed for Misfat al Abriyeen village
Al Hamra – A coordination meeting held in Al Hamra on Tuesday reviewed progress on the rehabilitation and beautification project of Misfat al Abriyeen, a key initiative aimed at enhancing tourism and civic infrastructure in the historic village in Dakhliyah. Sheikh Sulaiman al Azri, Wali of Al Hamra and Chairman of the meeting, said the project reflects national efforts to revitalise architectural and urban heritage while striking a balance between preserving traditional identity and introducing modern services. He noted that the project – overseen by Awtad International – will enhance the village's appeal as a heritage and tourism destination locally and internationally. A representative of Awtad delivered a technical presentation outlining implementation phases, design standards, and details of the rehabilitation and beautification components. The company highlighted measures being taken to maintain the architectural character of the village and protect its natural surroundings. Discussions also addressed technical and community matters, including traffic routes, lighting systems, public facilities, and integrating natural elements into the landscape. Company representatives underlined the importance of community participation, affirming that local feedback will be incorporated into the final execution plan to ensure broad satisfaction. Misfat al Abriyeen was chosen as one of the best tourism villages by World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in December 2021. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Telegraph
30-07-2025
- Telegraph
How ‘murder capital' El Salvador became one of the world's hottest (and safest) destinations
One year, you're a 'murder capital', echoing to the sound of gunshots, the next you're a booming tourist magnet. El Salvador, according to the latest United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) statistics, is the world's third fastest-growing holiday destination, behind only Albania and Qatar. The small Central American country has seen tourist numbers jump an impressive 80 per cent since 2019. Some 3.2 million international visitors arrived in 2024, including more than 1.2 million US tourists. Having visited in 2013 and 2017, I'm actually not that surprised. While El Salvador is unlikely to knock Costa Rica off its perch as an entry-level Central American destination, it has plenty of diverse delights to offer the curious tourist. Let's start with the attractions. For nature-lovers, the El Imposible National Park is a great starting point. The name refers not to the chances of rescuing a lost tourist but to a steep gorge that was a much-unloved slog for local farmers with their mules. The hiking here is pretty good, if hot, but the park's main attraction is the birdlife. Among the 300 or so species are glittering hummingbirds, multi-hued motmots, orioles and parakeets; it's the only place in the country to see the critically endangered great curassow. Surfers have been loving El Salvador for decades. In 2024, the country hosted six major international surf events – including the prestigious World Surf League competition, cementing its reputation as one of the top surfing destinations in the world. Punta Roca and Las Flores are world-famous – and stunning to look at if you're not a surfer. La Libertad, Playa El Tunco, El Sunzal, and El Zonte, all in the west, attract lots of wave-addicts, but there are scores of less promoted spots on the coast. Because distances are relatively small, it's easy to hop from break to break. San Salvador is a sprawling, modern, American-looking city – better for burgers and pizzas than for pupusas, the delicious flatbreads filled with pork, cheese and beans that are Salvadorean's favourite snack. It doesn't have big-capital drawing power, but to be frank, apart from Antigua in Guatemala and Panama City, Central America is not big on urban attractions. The plazas and backstreets down town are worth a wander, with coffee shops to refuel, and cool down, in. The brutalist El Rosario church is eye-catching; the rainbow-coloured interior has been dubbed the 'stairway to heaven'. Marte, the main art museum, is always hosting interesting themed shows; it has a section on the 1979-1992 civil war. It's also the site of the striking Monument to the 1948 Revolution. A safe bet The main point here, though, is that, apart from the airport, foreign tourists never really came to San Salvador. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) puts it plainly: 'Security in El Salvador has improved considerably with significant reductions in crime'. The gang crackdown and controversial draconian security measures imposed by the government of president Nayib Bukele – who won a second term in 2024, with 84 per cent of the vote – has seen the national homicide count fall from 6,657 in 2015 to 114 in 2024. It has gone from having one of the highest murder rates in the world (106.3 per 100,000 in 2015) to one only slightly higher than the UK's. Last year, as a consequence, the United States Department of State upgraded El Salvador's travel advisory status from Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) to Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution). Just 30 miles to the north of the capital is my favourite place in El Salvador. Suchitoto, set amid rich, rolling agricultural land, is not grand or swoon-inducingly pretty, but it is cobbled, quaint and polished. A bolthole for middle-class Salvadorans escaping the big city, it has cultural spaces, cafés and restaurants and a gorgeous church on the plaza. It hosts an international film festival every autumn, and I can heartily recommend its lively and fun-filled fiesta honouring Santa Lucia, the town's patron saint, in December. The former mansion where I like to stay here, Los Almendros de San Lorenzo, was built in 1805 when El Salvador was still part of the Spanish Empire. Owners Joaquín Rodezno and Pascal Lebailly have created somewhere comfortable, even luxurious, but which still feels aged and atmospheric. Tropical gardens and a pool mean you have to make an effort to wrench yourself away from the place and go and explore. In 1983, Joan Didion's short sharp Salvador brought the bloody story of the civil war to an international readership. It was reported in the UK – the BBC's Jeremy Bowen started his career in El Salvador – but, like almost all things Latin American, it was always a remote affair. Liberation theology, Marxist guerrillas and US and USSR machinations in the region were exotic topics in the Britain of Margaret Thatcher. Ordinary Britons easily got confused about the so-called 'Contras' and what was happening at the time in Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras and, even, Grenada. El Salvador's Oriente region is the place to head for a basic understanding of the conflict that made El Salvador infamous. Up at Perquín – where the Farabundo Martí Popular Liberation Forces (FMLN) leftist guerrillas had their headquarters – are memorials to the fallen. Shrines and burial sites are dotted here and there, and commemorative parades are as routine as religious ones. The Museo de la Revolución contains a collection of war memorabilia, rocket launchers, downed helicopter fragments, a preserved radio station, propaganda posters and photographs of guerrillas. Nearly 1,000 people were slain in a massacre that took place in December 1981 in El Mozote. Visiting such places might sound like the very definition of 'dark tourism', but the people I encountered were welcoming and kind; they want the world to know what happened here. The journey up to the sierras around Perquín – known today as the capital of the Peace Route – was also quite magical. A bright future UK tour firm bosses are very upbeat about its future prospects. 'I recently returned from a trip full of highlights,' says David Horwell, founder of Select Latin America. 'Sunset dinners by Lake Coatepeque, volcano hikes, artisan workshops, watching surfers at El Tunco, and drinking in atmospheric bars in San Salvador's historic centre. 'It's a perfect blend of thrilling adventures, laid-back moments, rich history, and immersive local experiences, all within a small, accessible country. Over the past year, we've witnessed a rise in interest for El Salvador as a travel destination, and it's no surprise. The country's improving safety record and steadily expanding tourism infrastructure are drawing a wide variety of travellers.' He highlights coffee tourism and the pre-Columbian ruins of Tazumal and Joya de Cerén as attractions with major potential for UK travellers. Steve Wilson, founder of sabbatical specialist LiNGER, adds: 'Having spent time back in El Salvador for the first time in 25 years, I can safely say it is one of the most inspiring, unique and safe countries to travel at the moment.' John Faithfull, a Central America specialist at Steppes Travel, concurs: 'As the security situation improves on the ground, the appetite for travel to El Salvador grows. Typically, our clients are aged 50-plus, well-travelled and driven by an interest in El Salvador's people and culture, as well as a curiosity about the civil war and its legacy. The warmth of the people and the stories they share are what our clients find most captivating about El Salvador.' The fabled Pan-American Highway has always gone arrow-straight through El Salvador, but for years many travellers halted at the border and wondered if it was worth the risk. Bukele's heavy-handed approach to crime will continue to be divisive, but it has opened up the country to mainstream tourism. This in turn is drawing investment. Intriguingly, in sheer visitor numbers, El Salvador is already ahead of Costa Rica – which had 2.9 million visitors in 2024, a drop of 7 per cent on 2019. Perhaps, post-pandemic, we're all a bit braver, or at least more curious. I am already scanning the crime stats for this year's 'murder capital' to plan my next holiday.
Newsweek
25-07-2025
- Newsweek
American Tourists Slammed by UK Local for One Key Error: 'Help Yourselves'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A Reddit post from a London resident has gone viral after criticizing a common quirk among American tourists—the shortening of the names of places in the capital of the United Kingdom to the point of confusion. Posted on July 21 to Reddit's r/london forum, u/BulkyAccident issued a humorous but pointed "PSA to Americans visiting this summer: we do not shorten place names here." The post has since garnered 5,600 upvotes since it was shared. "Was hanging out around Victoria/Pimlico yesterday having coffee and food with friends and we had three separate occasions of holidaying Americans asking directions or for help," the user wrote. "First was how to get to 'Green' (Green Park), and that they'd come via 'Edgware' (Edgware Road—obviously a totally different part of the city to Edgware itself), the next wanted to find their hotel in 'Holland' (Holland Park, obviously not the country region)." The post went on to caution travelers: "We see it quite a lot on the megathread and as people who live here we got the gist of what they were saying yesterday, but it's such an unnecessary layer of friction and could quite easily end up catastrophic if you're googling the wrong thing, asking for directions, researching somewhere (Gloucester instead of Gloucester Road, Liverpool instead of Liverpool Street, Leicester instead of Leicester Square etc etc). Help yourselves out while visiting, people!" A stock image of a tourist looking at his phone against the backdrop of the Tower Bridge in London, the capital of the United Kingdom. A stock image of a tourist looking at his phone against the backdrop of the Tower Bridge in London, the capital of the United Kingdom. Getty The PSA comes as the travel industry continues to show strong growth, with a "robust and sustained travel demand" this year even amid growing geopolitical tension, notes the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Around 300 million tourists traveled internationally in the first quarter of 2025, which is around 14 million more than in the same period last year, according to the UNWTO. Newsweek discussed the frustration in the Reddit post with Jo Hayes, an etiquette expert, who said that the observation holds up. "Unfortunately, yes, this is, largely, true. And, yes, it does make for awkward, unnecessarily difficult, problematic situations," Hayes said, adding that this is particularly true for the shortening of street and road names but is less so for the names of suburbs, towns and regions. Hayes explained that Americans often default to a familiar pattern of shorthand. "Americans often/typically name streets and roads by their name only, e.g., 'I'm meeting him at the new cafe on third'—translate: 'I'm meeting him at the new cafe on Third Avenue'. This formula/habit/trend does not typically occur across the pond, so shortening 'Edgware Road' to 'Edgware,' does pose an issue." The advice? Mindfulness. "I encourage Americans, when traveling abroad, to simply practice self-awareness," Hayes said. "One doesn't need to completely change one's behaviors, but be mindful that you're visiting another country—this is their turf. Courtesy and good manners dictate honoring their customs, and adapting behavior to demonstrate respect for their culture." Georgia Fowkes, a travel advisor at Altezza Travel, echoed the sentiment. "It's true—we Americans shorten everything to the root, and we do it on autopilot," she told Newsweek. "It's baked into our language—speed, simplicity, informality. We like everything trimmed down so the words flow." For example, in New York, no one says Fifth Avenue, but rather calls it "Fifth." Back in Pittsburgh, Fowkes always said "Carson" instead of East Carson Street, she noted. But even Fowkes acknowledges the trouble that can cause in the U.K. "In London, I almost asked a cabbie how to get to 'Holland' because my brain was hunting for the shortcut. But in London, that can send you to the completely wrong place. My British friends cracked up: 'What's next, Big instead of Big Ben?'—and they weren't wrong." Now, she adjusts her approach. "So, when I'm in London, I leave my American minimalism at home," Fowkes said. "I'm a conscious American in the U.K. now, and I use full names—unless I want the barista thinking I'm headed to the Netherlands and the cab driver rolling his eyes. When in London, do as Londoners do." Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Al Arabiya
14-07-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Saudi Arabia tops global tourism spending growth in Q1 2025: UN report
Saudi Arabia led the world in international tourism spending growth during the first quarter of 2025 and ranked third globally in tourist arrival gains, according to the latest UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) data. The Kingdom recorded a 102 percent surge in international visitor numbers and spending compared to the same period in 2019, significantly outpacing the global average of 3 percent and the Middle East's 44 percent. For more news on Saudi Arabia, visit our dedicated page. In its latest World Tourism Barometer, the UNWTO confirmed that Saudi Arabia placed first worldwide in tourism receipts growth and third globally in international arrivals. Regionally, the Kingdom ranked second in the Middle East for visitor growth. According to the Ministry of Tourism, foreign visitor spending in Q1 2025 reached $13.2 billion (SAR 49.4 billion) – an increase of nearly 10 percent over Q1 2024. The Kingdom's travel account surplus also rose 11.7 percent year-on-year. Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed al-Khateeb welcomed the results, saying they 'support the Kingdom's efforts to boost tourism as part of its Saudi Vision 2030.' The strong performance reflects the impact of Vision 2030 and the Kingdom's ambitious giga-projects – including NEOM, AlUla, the Red Sea Project, Amaala, and Sindalah – as well as streamlined visa policies and expanded tourism infrastructure, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Religious tourism continues to play a central role, with Mecca and Madinah drawing millions of pilgrims annually. Mecca alone attracted 9.4 million visitors in 2022. Meanwhile, heritage destinations like Hegra in AlUla – known for its ancient Nabatean tombs – are expanding Saudi Arabia's appeal to leisure and cultural tourists. The 'Quality of Life' Program has also contributed to this momentum, with $9.2 billion (SAR 34.6 billion) invested since 2018 in entertainment, festivals, and infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing the visitor experience. With this upward trajectory in both receipts and arrivals, Saudi Arabia appears well on track to reach its Vision 2030 goal of 150 million annual visits and establish itself as a leading global tourism destination.
Arab News
04-07-2025
- Arab News
We should reschedule our trips to avoid the challenges of overtourism
Outbound tourism from Saudi Arabia typically peaks between June and August each year. Since 2017, a phenomenon known as 'overtourism' has emerged around the world, and especially in European destinations that remain a consistent choice every summer for many tourists from Saudi Arabia, the wider Gulf region and other places. Some opt for other destinations, including the US or Southeast Asia. According to specialists, summer travel preferences among Gulf nationals, and the people from other countries who live in Gulf nations, began shifting in 2024 toward new destinations such as the Caucasus region, particularly Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as Eastern European countries. Between 2023 and 2024, Japan similarly experienced a noticeable increase in tourism from the Gulf, and Thailand has experienced a revival in Saudi tourism. However, these destinations that are growing in popularity are not immune to the challenges of overtourism. According to data from the UN World Tourism Organization, in 1950 there were 25 million international tourists. By 2030, that number is projected to reach 1.8 billion. What is particularly striking is that 95 percent of global tourists flock to just 5 percent of the world's regions. This concentration leads to severe and destructive environmental impacts, including increased accumulation of waste, pollution and noise. It also harms local communities in tourist destinations by driving up housing rental costs, disrupting daily life, and overwhelming the often unprepared urban infrastructure. This phenomenon contributes to the displacement of low-income residents from their own cities, and explains the recurring protests in some places that coincide with the peak summer tourism season. The situation is incredibly complex and, in some cases, alarming. In 2023, for example, the Canary Islands faced a critical shortage of drinking water after receiving more than 14 million tourists, seven times the number of its resident population, according to a report by German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Similarly, residents of Venice, Italy, grapple with extreme congestion as their city receives 20 million visitors each year; its resident population is a mere 50,000. Structurally unprepared for such immense visitor numbers, in 2023 the city introduced a €5 ($6) per tourist fee for day trippers during daylight hours. Authorities in Japan, too, are taking steps; they now require that individuals who wish to ascend the iconic Mount Fuji pay a $13 fee, and the number of tourists who can do so each day is limited to 4,000. In addition to wider international tourism trends, there has also been a boom in so-called 'day-trip tourism' in which people visit neighboring countries, the growing influence of social media stars, and the spread of what is known as the 'experience economy.' All of this is enabling more tourists, including those with more limited financial means, to travel to famous destinations, resulting in serious problems for many popular cities. One of the most prominent examples of this is Amsterdam in the Netherlands, which has been negatively affected by people eating in the streets, the sale of legal drugs to tourists in cafes, and young European men urinating in public, open spaces. Authorities are taking this issue of public urination very seriously and have introduced a €140 fine for those caught in the act, in an effort to protect the city's reputation and cultural image. In response to the demands of residents in Malaga, Spain, the building of new tourist apartments has been banned in 43 neighborhoods. Rome has reduced the number of tourists allowed to gather in front of the famous Trevi Fountain, setting a limit of 400 people at any one time. There are alternative tourist destinations available around the world that resemble more famous cities in terms of the experiences they offer, but are cheaper and much less crowded. Artificial intelligence tools have shown an astonishing ability to help draw attention to these alternatives, offering the potential to help plan smart trips tailored to each tourist's budget, needs, timing and personal tastes. In the Middle East, nearly 1.1 billion tourists traveled to destinations within the region, and beyond, during the first nine months of 2024. Global tourism revenues during that same year were estimated at about $9.5 trillion, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. While the importance of the tourism sector is undisputed, the current circumstances dictate the setting of priorities, particularly in relation to outbound tourism. Currently, more-suitable tourism models include cruise and luxury yacht travel and train journeys, and favor options that avoid overcrowding and enclosed spaces. At the very least, the adjustment of travel plans to times outside of peak summer periods is advisable, though this presents a challenge for families tied to school holidays. Building on this, efforts to boost tourism revenues in destinations affected by overtourism require a smart strategy. This includes targeting the right types of tourist, the effective use of promotional platforms, and the use of marketing campaigns at optimal times. The goal should be to attract fewer tourists who will spend more money, thus ensuring sustainable and high-quality tourism for tourists and host communities alike. When choosing travel destinations this summer, careful consideration of the options is crucial to help ensure that Saudi and other Gulf tourists avoid uncomfortable situations in which they might find themselves unwelcome or even asked to leave a city because they are perceived as a burden. Meanwhile, cities concerned about overtourism might find suitable potential solutions in Saudi Arabia's exceptional experiences, in particular its professional management of Hajj crowds each year. • Dr. Bader bin Saud is a columnist for Al-Riyadh newspaper, a media and knowledge management researcher, an expert and university professor in crowd management and strategic planning, and the former deputy commander of the special forces for Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia. X: @BaderbinSaud.
