Latest news with #WorldTravel&TourismCouncil
USA Today
3 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Bad Bunny is making Puerto Rico the hottest trip of 2025
When we talk about tourism trends, we usually focus on airlines, prices and algorithms. But what if the most significant driver of travel to a destination wasn't an ad campaign or a seasonal super deal, but its people represented by an artist? That is precisely what's happening in Puerto Rico. Bad Bunny's residency, "No me quiero ir de aquí," in San Juan, is not only breaking records in sales and attendance, but has become one of the most powerful economic and cultural catalysts the island has seen in recent years. Its impact is not anecdotal: according to an analysis by Moody's Analytics cited by Bloomberg, Puerto Rico is defying the tourism slowdown that many markets in the United States are experiencing. While hotel occupancy in several U.S. cities has decreased, in Puerto Rico it has increased. And it's no coincidence. While the World Travel & Tourism Council projects a loss of $12.5 billion in international travel spending this year in the United States, Puerto Rico is headed in the opposite direction. According to Discover Puerto Rico, the island recorded a 25% increase in hotel occupancy in the first quarter of 2025 and an 11% growth in lodging revenue, compared to the same period last year. At a time when the global tourism economy is showing signs of cooling, Puerto Rico stands out as an example of how culture can become a real economic engine. The experience is worth it The Puerto Rican economy, historically tied to the ups and downs of the U.S. economy, rarely grows on its own. But this time, there is a cultural factor that is tipping the balance: identity. Bad Bunny's new album, in addition to being a musical phenomenon, is a declaration of principles – a love letter to his homeland. From the lyrics to the visual promotion, the artist has made it clear that traveling to the island is more than tourism: it is an experience, it is pride, it is connection. Those of us who work in the travel and digital content industries need to reflect. For years, the equation seemed simple: look for the cheapest fare, even if the trip was mediocre. But the consumer has evolved. Today, more than ever, it wants to save, yes, but without sacrificing what really matters: experience. Travel should be transformative, not transactional. Travelers want to get to know a country, not just visit it. They want to savor its cuisine, understand its history, and walk its streets with local music in the background. Bad Bunny has organically created that with his music and platform. It has turned Puerto Rico into an emotional desire, not just a geographical destination. At a time when so many tourism markets are facing decline, Puerto Rico is teaching us a powerful lesson: culture drives the economy. Authenticity isn't just good for the soul; it's also good for hotels, restaurants, and airlines. The future of tourism is not measured only in hotel occupancy or the number of flights. It is also measured in songs, in identity, in how a place makes us feel. That's why, when we hear about Bad Bunny, let's remember that his impact goes far beyond reggaeton: he's redefining how and why we travel. Wilson "Wil" Santiago Burgos is the founder of one of the largest travel platforms in Puerto Rico and the Latin American market in the U.S.
IOL News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Travelling to the US? Your social media could get you deported
Avoid deportation when travelling to the US - and theimpact of your social media on your status. Image: Unspash Planning a holiday or work trip to the United States? You may want to double-check your social media first. In today's increasingly politicised travel environment, tourists, including South Africans, are being cautioned to think twice about what they've shared online before stepping onto a flight. A recent case involving a young Norwegian traveller has sparked global debate. Mads Mikkelsen, a 21-year-old tourist, says he was stopped at Newark Liberty International Airport in June and denied entry after US immigration officials browsed through his mobile phone and found a meme mocking the American Vice President, J.D. Vance. According to Mikkelsen, he was interrogated, forced to give up his phone password under threat of fines and imprisonment, and later sent back to Norway without setting foot beyond the airport. Although U.S. authorities deny that the meme was the reason for the deportation, citing Mikkelsen's alleged past drug use instead, the incident highlights growing concerns around privacy, freedom of expression, and the ever-widening net of border control policies under President Donald Trump's second term. This isn't an isolated case. In recent months, a French academic was refused entry because of comments he made about U.S. science policy under Trump. An Australian writer was recently questioned about his views on the Israel-Gaza conflict before being sent home. The message seems clear: your online footprint could be scrutinised and used against you, even if your travel plans are entirely legitimate. What's changed? The Trump administration has ramped up efforts to tighten immigration procedures. These include enhanced screening of tourists, foreign students, and even long-standing visa holders. In some cases, border agents are instructed to inspect social media profiles, private messages, and photos on mobile devices - with or without a warrant. While visitors to the U.S. do have rights, they're limited. Tourists aren't entitled to the same constitutional protections as citizens. That means your phone can be manually searched scrolling, keyword searches, and deep dives into apps, without needing probable cause. "For more invasive forensic searches - where your device is plugged in and analysed, officials must claim 'reasonable suspicion' - a vague term with no clear legal definition. Nate Freed Wessler of the American Civil Liberties Union explains, there are no meaningful safeguards. 'Tourists have fewer civil rights than you do elsewhere in the US,' he warns. Refusing to answer questions or surrender your device could simply result in denial of entry or even temporary detention. The risks extend beyond inconvenience. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the U.S. could lose over $12.5 billion (R223,90 billion) in international tourism spend this year, as travellers grow wary of what feels like digital surveillance at the border. South African travellers: What to know Your online activity matters: Avoid political posts, especially memes, satire, or criticism of US politicians before your trip. Your phone can be searched: Officials may inspect your device at the border, and refusing to unlock it could result in denial of entry. There's little recourse: Tourists can be detained for up to 90 days without formal charges. Always be honest: Any admission of drug use, even in the past, could affect your visa or travel status. As tempting as it may be to share your views online, doing so could unknowingly impact your ability to travel. In the current climate, it's safer to scroll mindfully and post cautiously, because what's on your phone might just stop your trip before it even begins. IOL Travel Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
Malaysian Reserve
14-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Interest rate cut needs institutional follow through to be adequate
The OPR cut is important, but banks and govt machineries at the federal, state and local level need to make a paradigm shift to promote expansionary sentiments LAST week, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) duly delivered what was expected from the central bank, lowering the banking system's interest rate to promote spending and investment — in theory, at least. The benchmark Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) was cut down for the first time since July 2020, by 25 basis points (bps) to 1.75%, heralding an incoming economic slowdown and trade headwinds. With the global economic growth expected to moderate in the second half of the year (2H25) against the backdrop of trade tensions and geopolitical risk, Malaysia cannot afford to allow domestic demand to be weighed down by external factors. The Malaysian economic growth is already projected to slow down to around 4% this year, from 5.5% in 2024 as US President Donald Trump's tariff tantrum continues, dampening export momentum. Nonetheless, economists are confident that domestic demand, driven by labour market improvements and tourism recovery, will remain resilient. Upward sentiments in the labour market are underlined by the unemployment rate holding steady at a decade-low of 3% in May 2025, supported by the stable growth pace of the labour force (0.2% month-to-month) and decline in loss of employment (-14%). The tourism industry, in the meantime, is estimated to record up to 7.8% growth, or 26.9 million tourist arrivals this year, marking a full recovery to pre-Covid-19 levels in 2019. The World Travel & Tourism Council projects that the tourism and travel industry will contribute 11.3% to the national GDP, or RM332 billion, in 2025, significantly higher than last year's RM218 billion. However, economists have cautioned that policy interventions by the central bank would be useless if the banking system and the whole government machinery — either at federal, state or local govt level — fail to shift-up and follow through. The lowering of OPR will only affect consumers' pockets positively if banks decide to channel the savings to real loan rates. An economist also cautioned that despite OPR being cut down to 2.75% the real interest rate stood at 1.55%, which is still high by historical standards. The long-term average real interest rate in Malaysia is 0.88%, which means borrowers are still paying an expensive cost for loans in real terms, he argued. Monetary policy needs to be accommodative, and business policy needs to be entrepreneur and people-friendly for consumer confidence to flourish and spending to grow. Unbeknownst to the public, local governments are especially influential in determining spending patterns among their constituents, as they have wide-ranging, self-interpreted local laws at their disposal, which, in some occasions, are ridiculously baffling and beyond common sense. Take, for instance, one particular state city where its enforcement division is making restrictive interpretations of the law governing food kiosks, which, in effect, sabotage genuine entrepreneurs and discourage customers from frequenting the joint. This kiosk, selling toasts and simple breakfast delicacies at a local lake park, was a hit and went viral even before the word 'viral' was invented. It was, however, recently slapped with a weird ruling by the local authority, banning it from placing tables and chairs for its customers, even though the area in front of the kiosk is vacant and clearly designed to accommodate dining chairs and tables. Weird, to say the least. But frankly speaking, it clearly looks like spiteful sabotage by the very people who are supposed to promote and support entrepreneurship. Now, with the aligning of powers between the state and federal, the government might want to consider covering these local councils as part of the economic support system. It is developmental economy on a longer horizon, which should be a priority for the nation. Asuki Abas is the editor of The Malaysian Reserve, and a former entrepreneur disillusioned with bureaucracy. This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
World's top 10 biggest tourism economies in 2024–25: India breaks into top 10 at this rank
World's Top 10 Biggest Tourism Economies in 2025 List: Amid a strong post-pandemic recovery and despite challenges such as climate pressure and local tourism fatigue, the global travel and tourism sector contributed US$10.9 trillion to the world economy in 2023, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The WTTC's 2024 Economic Impact Trends Report shows the industry on an upward trajectory, with the World Economic Forum (WEF) forecasting the sector to hit $16 trillion by 2034, representing over 11 per cent of global GDP. As per the WTTC, the United States remains the world's largest tourism economy in 2024, contributing an unprecedented $2.36 trillion, nearly double that of its closest competitor. China ranks second with $1.3 trillion, and is projected to become the global leader within the next decade. Japan, notably, climbs to fourth place with a $297 billion contribution. While established players like Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain continue to hold strong positions in the top 10, Asian economies such as Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, and the Philippines are fast emerging as regional tourism powerhouses. Several countries have also seen significant jumps in international tourism spending compared to pre-pandemic levels. These include Saudi Arabia (+91.3 per cent), Türkiye (+38.2 per cent), Kenya (+33.3 per cent), Colombia (+29.1 per cent), and Egypt (+22.9 per cent). Source: WTTC Economic Impact Research (EIR) India's global position explained: India has made notable progress, now ranking as the eighth-largest tourism economy worldwide with a contribution of $231.6 billion, up from its previous position of tenth. This advancement highlights the country's increasing significance in the sector, with the WTTC forecasting a rise to fourth position within the next decade. Cherry Gupta is an Assistant Manager - Content at The Indian Express. She is responsible for crafting compelling narratives, uncovering the latest news and developments, and driving engaging content based on data and trends to boost website traffic and audience engagement. One can connect with her on LinkedIn or by mail at ... Read More
Tourism Breaking News
08-07-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
WTTC calls for Smarter Tourism Management as Destinations Face Pressure
Post Views: 39 As Travel & Tourism enters the height of the summer season, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a new report calling for a more balanced approach to managing tourism in popular destinations. While overcrowding is often seen as a tourism problem, many of the real pressures come from deeper issues such as underinvestment in infrastructure, poor planning, and fragmented decision-making. These challenges affect both residents and visitors and need joined-up solutions. Travel & Tourism supports one in every 10 jobs and nearly 10% of global GDP and is set to support one in three new jobs over the next decade. When managed well, it also fosters cultural exchange, global understanding, and environmental protection. But without smart planning, the benefits it brings could be at risk. WTTC's paper, Managing Destination Overcrowding: A Call to Action, explains that there's no simple fix to the problem and urges governments, local leaders, and businesses to work together to support both communities and visitors. In 2024, Travel & Tourism is expected to contribute nearly $11TN to the global economy and support 357MN jobs. That's a huge success but it also means destinations must plan to manage growth responsibly. Annually, governments around the world accrue more than $3.3TN from Travel & Tourism businesses, equivalent to 9.6% of global tax revenues. The global tourism body urges governments to reinvest this sum in vital infrastructure, and solutions to relieve pressures on already very popular destinations. The report looks at some of the root causes of overcrowding in a small number of increasingly popular destinations across Europe and offers real-world solutions that can be tailored to local needs. From using better data and planning tools, to involving residents in decisions. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said 'Travel & Tourism brings huge benefits including jobs, investment, and deeper cultural understanding. But growth needs to be managed carefully. We're encouraging all decision-makers to think ahead, work together, and focus on long-term benefits for residents and visitors alike. This isn't about stopping tourism, it's about making it work for everyone.' The global tourism body believe this is a moment of opportunity. With the right steps, destinations can protect what makes them special while ensuring that tourism continues to bring value to communities and local economies. The report makes clear there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Every destination is different, and actions must be based on local realities. But with cooperation and planning, Travel & Tourism can continue to thrive in a way that protects what makes each place special. The paper encourages leaders to think beyond short-term fixes and focus on reinvesting tourism income into critical infrastructure improvements, local services, and resident wellbeing.
