Latest news with #WorldTravelTourismCouncil
Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Telegraph
Europe's most overcrowded holiday islands – and the unspoilt alternatives to visit instead
Across the Mediterranean, rumbling concerns about over-tourism have risen to a crescendo over the past couple of years. Both the conspicuous absence of visitors during the pandemic and the talk of building back more sustainably are distant memories: now it seems that all people really want is their moment in the sun. On Europe's most popular islands, it's putting a strain on resources and infrastructure as water becomes scarce, roads are jam-packed and rubbish mounts. Still, they come. In Spain, where tourism accounts for 15.6 per cent of the total GDP according to World Travel & Tourism Council figures, industry revenue was up 36 per cent on 2019 in the first nine to 11 months of 2024, despite well-publicised anti-tourism protests. Surprisingly though, the busy Balearics are not the most over-touristy place in the Med, nor are the much-Instagrammed Greek holiday paradises of Mykonos and Santorini. According to a recent report by Which? Travel, that dubious accolade goes to Zakynthos – where there are 150 tourists for every resident. Below, we've rounded up the busiest islands in Europe, and some of their sleepier alternatives. The overrun Rhodes The neon-clad party resort of Faliraki has much to answer for: it's where the island's reputation as a hard-living, cheap-boozing place was born, and now 3.5 million visitors per year head here every year in search of a slice of hedonistic heaven (that's 26 for every one resident). Cruise ships dock in the port of Rhodes Town too, tipping the tourism scales even further. It led it to be labelled the second most over-crowded city in Europe by holiday rentals portal which crunched inbound arrivals data from Euromonitor International to place Dubrovnik first in the table. Rhodes, however, beat notoriously busy Venice into second place. Things could soon start looking up for the island though. It partnered with operator Tui to found Rhodes Co-Lab, an organisation that aims to transform it into a sustainable destination by 2030 using initiatives that include moving away from fossil fuels, increasing local agriculture and aquaculture by 50 per cent and protecting the island's cultural heritage. Majorca According to Which? data, Majorca had the most overnight stays in Europe in 2023, clocking up more than 51 million of them. In 2024, seven per cent more visitors passed through Palma's airport than in the previous year, and numbers were expected to rise again in 2025. Among the consequences is a new summer traffic problem, with hire cars clogging the ring road around Palma and the winding lanes of the countryside during July and August. Then there's the lack of housing for locals, with around a third of all properties classed as second homes. It has resulted in understandable friction. In March, an open letter signed by a clutch of campaigning organisations warned the latter not to visit this year. It explained: 'We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem.' Ibiza The number of annual visitors to Ibiza has almost doubled since 2001, according to the non-profit organisation Ibiza Preservation. With more than three million overnight stays annually, compared with a year-round population of just 160,000, the island has lost much of its farmland and has the highest amount of waste per head of any Balearic island. The organisation claims that only four per cent of food eaten is grown locally, while a decimation of fields and forest has led to increased risk of wildfires. Water is scarce too, though no restrictions are currently in place for tourists. On June 15, this year's over-tourism protests will kick off in Ibiza Town, as part of a nationwide campaign. Malta It may not get the Instagram mileage of the Balearics or Greek islands, but Malta is engaged in a quieter battle with over-tourism. In 2022, it already had the eighth highest number of tourists per resident in the world, according to and, in 2024, the number visiting rose by almost 20 per cent year on year. More hotels are being built, and the island will need to attract almost five million tourists per year to fill them by 2027. But Malta and its neighbours are already struggling to cope with those that do come. Back in 2023, residents complained to The Times of Malta about 'a 'suffocating' stench, traffic chaos and double parking' in the island capital Valletta and some of its busiest resorts. And some local operators refuse to take visitors to the nearby island of Comino in the summer. Once one of the prettiest local spots, it's now packed with Instagrammers and the resulting litter has led to a rat problem. The under-visited Dugi Otok Croatia has an over-tourism problem, with more than 20 million overnight stays per year. But only around 0.005 per cent of them involve this secret (though not exactly inconspicuous) spot off the coast near Zadar. It may because much of the 27-mile long island is uncultivated, or because its tiny capital Sali lacks the glamour or show-off monuments of the country's better-known seaside cities (it makes up for it with a harbour busy with sorbet-shade terraces and surroundings dotted with 700-year-old olive trees). There's a lively festival in Sali each year in the first week of August, the rocky coves and wooded hills of the Nature Park Telašćica and one of the country's best beaches – the long sweep at Sakarun, where the water is as clear as vodka and the scent of pine forest carries on the breeze – to enjoy. Pantelleria This wild isle off Sicily isn't completely without visitors. But though the population doubles in summer, that still means there are less than 15,000 people exploring its crater lake, hot springs and herb-scented trails at any one time (compare that with the 3.6 million who flock to Capri every year). There's culture too: Pantelleria's traditional way of harvesting grapes for its famous wines has made it onto Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. And, though sand is not really on the menu, Pantelleria's dramatic rocky coves are literally the stuff of legend – the playgrounds of Odysseus during his long kidnap by Circe. Samothraki, Greece For every Mykonos or Santorini, there's a harder-to-access Greek island where tourists are thin on the ground. Among them is Samothraki in the northern Aegean, accessed by the summer ferry from Limnos (or year-round one from mainland Alexandrouplis) and with a healthy tourist bed to local ratio of 0.5 to one, according to research by the Sustainable Samothraki project. This is not a place for days on the beach and long lunches in tavernas but rather tramping through golden wheat fields or driving up empty switchbacks towards remote churches and icy waterfalls. There aren't any swish hotels either, just a smattering of three-stars on the north coast, between the swooping rocks and tumbling waters of the Fonias Gorge and the ancient columns of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, once home to a mystery cult that drew dignitaries from across the region. Porto Santo, Portugal Sometimes you have to get away from the Med to escape the crowds and this island dwells in the Atlantic, a 90-minute ferry ride from its big sister Madeira. Well-known among Portuguese tourists for its buttery beaches and sleepy seaside towns, it hasn't yet hit the big time with the wider world, despite Madeira being Portugal's fourth most-visited region. Not deemed worthy of its own official statistics, Porto Santo is thought to see around 20,000 visitors per month in summer. The sand really is the thing here: there's a great nine km line of the stuff at Porto Santo's namesake beach, as well as a chain of sleepy coves with tiki umbrellas. Sea kayak or hike between them and break up the sunbathing with trips to the rock formations at Pico de Ana Ferreira or hikes up the mountain of Pico Branco for blustery views out to sea.
Bloomberg
5 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Trump's $12 Billion Tourism Wipeout
US President Donald Trump 's ' America First ' policies have cut into travel worldwide. The simmering trade war, the crackdown at the border and the rollback of LGBTQ rights—capped by a ban on visitors from a dozen countries announced on June 4—have led to tens of thousands of canceled trips. With travelers choosing alternate destinations, the American economy will lose out on $12.5 billion this year, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council—which will widen the trade deficit, because economists count spending by visitors to the country as an export. Here's a look at the toll the president's policies have taken on travel, in nine charts.
Skift
29-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Hotels' Biggest Challenges, Luxury's Evolution: Ask Skift's Most Popular Questions
We have answers to some of Ask Skift's most popular questions, including what are the biggest challenges hospitality faces and how travel brands are using social media to attract younger audiences Here are three of the most common questions our answer engine Ask Skift 2.0 has fielded recently and a brief summary of the answers it provided. What Are the Challenges Facing the Hospitality Industry? High construction and operating costs are slowing the development of new hotels, especially for independent brands without access to capital. That's contributed to a constrained supply environment, which helps keep room rates high but limits growth potential for hotel brands. Labor shortages remain one of the hospitality industry's most pressing issues of the most persistent hurdles for hotels worldwide. JLL's operator survey, based on more than 1,000 hotels across 20 Asia-Pacific countries, found front office and food and beverage positions to be the most difficult to fill. Sustainability is also a major concern for hotel executives, but there's a notable gap between ambitious corporate commitments and on-the-ground action. While a joint report from the World Travel and Tourism Council and Greenview revealed that 90% of 20,000 hotels surveyed worldwide have a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions, only 6.1% of those hotels use renewable sources for their energy needs. In addition, global economic turbulence, including concerns about a possible recession, has created uncertainty for hotel operators and investors. Rising interest rates from historic lows have tightened access to capital, particularly for hotel development requiring lending from regional or local banks and investors. How Is Luxury Travel Evolving, Particularly With Younger Affluent Travelers? Affluent travelers are increasingly focusing on experiences over lavish accommodations or luxury shopping. About 63% of luxury travelers are likely to seek out adventurous activities, according to Skift Research and industry surveys. Research Analyst Saniya Zanpure wrote that the trend has become more pronounced among younger generations, those aged 18-44, who account for 67% of bookings and 70% of spending among affluent travelers. As the definition of luxury is expanding to include wellness, sustainability, and a focus on substance over spectacle, Research Analyst Robin Gilbert-Jones noted a trend toward "quiet luxury." Gilbert-Jones wrote younger and wealthier travelers are seeking cultural connections, authentic experiences, and environmental consciousness. What Are Travel Brands Doing on Platforms Like TikTok and Instagram to Attract Younger Audiences? With some content creators acting as travel advisors and booking agents, brands are increasingly partnering with creators who can offer niche expertise — in fields such as food or adventure travel — and equipping them with tools to enable direct bookings. Regarding booking capabilities within social platforms, Expedia Group announced this month it's launching Trip Matching, a feature on Instagram that would allow users to book travel based on videos from the social media app. Travelers would be able to share a publicly available travel-related Reel with the Expedia account on Instagram, and then AI would generate itineraries and travel tips based on the video. Brands are also shifting more of their marketing budgets from traditional channels toward social media. That trend is expected to pick up as members of Gen Z and millennials represent a larger share of travel spending.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The 2025 US Tourism Slump Could Hurt Your Retirement Savings: 4 Things To Do Now
The U.S. tourism industry is facing a sharp slowdown in 2025. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the country could lose up to $12.5 billion in international travel spending this year (a 22.5% drop from its previous peak). That's not just bad news for airlines and hotels. It's a hit to the broader economy, affecting millions of jobs, community tax revenues, and, perhaps surprisingly, your retirement savings. Check Out: Learn More: Whether you're close to retirement or just getting started, here's why the tourism slump matters and what you can do right now to protect your financial future. 'A decline in tourism affects employment because the sector provides nearly 20 million jobs across the U.S.,' says Yehuda Tropper, CEO of Beca Life Settlements. 'Additionally, when fewer tourists visit, localities receive fewer sales and hospitality tax dollars. This is especially impactful in states without a state income tax, because they rely on sales and other taxes to make up the government revenues they don't receive through state income taxes. Some of the no-income tax states are ones with high numbers of seniors, such as Florida and Texas. 'Regional economic downturns have multiple impacts on retirement savings, including the credit quality of municipal bonds, and they can also spread out to become national downturns.' Tropper points to the Great Recession as an example, where a housing-market collapse in certain states eventually triggered a broader crisis. He also notes that 'weakness in tourism spending signals overall broader economic weakness, as consumers prioritize essential bills like housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare over discretionary expenses like travel.' That shift, he said, can impact mutual funds, ETFs and dividend stocks, all common holdings for retirees and near-retirees. Be Aware: Check whether your investments are too concentrated in sectors affected by the slump, such as airlines, hotels or cruise lines. Rebalancing toward more stable sectors like healthcare, utilities or consumer staples can help reduce risk. Yehuda Tropper, CEO of Beca Life Settlements, suggests that retirees and near-retirees 'consider rebalancing their portfolios to make sure they're diversified in a way that includes sectors less correlated with tourism and discretionary spending.' With longer life expectancies, he notes, well-diversified portfolios have time to recover from short-term cycles like these. Many retirement accounts allow you to adjust your allocations online or through your plan administrator. A tourism slump isn't the same as a market crash. If you're decades away from retirement, sticking to your investment strategy is often better than reacting emotionally to short-term headlines. Selling now can lock in losses, while staying invested gives your portfolio time to recover. Oppenheimer Asset Management advises that 'reacting to short-term market fluctuations can often lead to costly mistakes.' Your 401(k) plan is designed for the long haul, and pulling out during temporary turbulence could derail your long-term goals. If you're in the accumulation phase of retirement saving, a tourism-linked downturn may present a buying opportunity. Contributing regularly during a market dip means you're buying more shares at lower prices, a strategy known as dollar-cost averaging. It's a long-term play, but it works in your favour over time. Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a fixed amount at regular intervals regardless of market conditions and is championed for its disciplined approach and effectiveness in mitigating emotional biases. If you're closer to retirement or already withdrawing from your accounts, make sure you have an adequate emergency fund or short-term cash reserve. This helps you avoid tapping into your retirement investments during a dip, which can lead to permanent losses. A good rule of thumb is to keep six to 12 months of expenses in a liquid, low-risk account. Personal finance expert Suze Orman proposes that retirees maintain a 'just-in-case' fund of three to five years' worth of expenses in a liquid, non-market-tied account like a money-market fund or CDs. Her reasoning is based on the potential for market downturns, which can take several years to recover, during which retirees may need to avoid liquidating investments at a loss. The 2025 tourism slump may not make daily headlines, but its ripple effects could quietly erode your retirement savings if you're not paying attention. By reviewing your investments, staying disciplined and making small adjustments now, you can keep your long-term financial goals on track no matter what's happening in the travel industry. More From GOBankingRates How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region Sources World Travel & Tourism Council, 'U.S Economy Set To Lose $12.5BN In International Traveler Spend this year.' Beca Life Settlements, 'Our Team.' Oppenheimer Asset Management, 'Safeguarding Your 401(k) During Market Turbulence.' MarketWatch, 'Suze Orman says retirees should have a 5-year 'just-in-case' fund. Is this true?' This article originally appeared on The 2025 US Tourism Slump Could Hurt Your Retirement Savings: 4 Things To Do Now Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
I can't stand Trump, but let's calm down. The United States is not China
When I moved back to Britain aged 16, in 1998, after a childhood spent in the US, I constantly encountered knee-jerk anti-Americanism. I hated it: it was impossibly arrogant and ungrateful. After all, America had saved the world, and Europe, at least once in the 20 th century, continued to guarantee our safety, and continued to be the culture the whole world wanted a part of – from Hollywood to McDonald's to Apple – because it represented dreams of freedom, possibility and riches. Sniping at me for being its emissary just showed the fatal flaw – lazy self-regard – of the old world. Now, though, America has ceased to be the end of the rainbow for quite so many. The reality of Trumpism in his second term is a shock to those who assumed America would, give or take, go on forever being a protective force, and a beacon of market-led, new world dynamism and constitutional seriousness. It is now distinctly unfriendly to outsiders. Trump's sophomorically-calculated, mean-spirited and disloyal global tariffs; his threats to steal the territory of allies; the craven bullying of Ukraine, the dubious methods by which visitors are being treated, both within and at America's borders, and the generally offensive rhetoric, so ill befitting the president and his inner circle, is measurably putting people off. As a result, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTO), the US tourism market will see a $12.5bn cut in international travel this year, driving revenue to 22 per cent less than before the pandemic. Of the 184 countries surveyed by WTTO, America is the only one in decline. Significantly, Canadians and Mexicans are staying away. 'There are also concerns over visas – whether they've got the right visa or might accidentally get arrested, which has made people quite fearful,' says Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the WTTC. Of course, America's allure persists, and it'll take more than Trump's present mixture of sabre-rattling and bizarre economic and foreign policy to put an end to the parade of foreigners desperate to see the riot of the Manhattan skyline, the valleys of the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone and the artificial paradises of Florida. As for those who are staying away: I understand. Nobody without a US passport wants to be at the mercy of paranoid, erratic policy. But come on. In the scale of countries with bad leadership, sinister intentions and dubious machinations, America is still pretty far from the worst – and those that are worse are considered perfectly good tourist destinations by the great and the good. Obvious examples here include the Communist dictatorship of China, with its treatment of the Uyghurs and of Hong Kong in clear violation of human rights law; the UAE, where homosexuality is illegal; Tunisia, which has a growing problem with Islamism, and, of course, the new kid on the hypocritical tourism block: Saudi Arabia. The truth is that the US, flawed though it is, is too multifarious to cancel, and doing so would impoverish us. At the moment, there is much panicked amplification of the news, causing understandable jitters. But America is worth the risk as it currently stands. It's still the powerhouse of the world, from the skyscrapers of Manhattan to the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies, and tourists stand to gain more than they lose by braving it.
