Latest news with #tourism
BBC News
an hour ago
- Business
- BBC News
Plans to boost UK tourism criticised as unrealistic
Government plans to increase tourism in the UK have been criticised as "completely unrealistic" by a leading travel a visit to Falmouth in Cornwall, Tourism Minister Sir Chris Bryant said he wanted 50 million more overseas visitors to the UK by Calder, travel correspondent for The Independent, said the plan was "completely impossible" without reversing "damaging" post-Brexit travel said taking away the ability for EU citizens to travel using national ID cards instead of passports had reduced tourism, adding some people thought "we won't bother". Mr Calder said plans to encourage more British people to holiday in the UK were likely to fail because UK holidays were "just too expensive".It would "almost certainly" be cheaper for a family from Manchester to fly to Spain than to catch the train to Cornwall, he Chris had said he knew things were still "really tough" for people working in the tourism sector and more needed to be done to highlight what areas like Cornwall could offer domestic Labour MP said Covid had impacted the industry greatly but he remained confident visitor numbers could return to pre-pandemic levels."I want many more British people to say 'what's the point of Spain - we've got this'," he said. Mr Calder said it was "absolutely crucial" to get international visitors, as it was the "closest any area could get to free money", because of the money tourists spent gave a proposal to extend the tourist season in Cornwall a cautious backing."Cornwall's problem isn't attracting people in July and August it's attracting them in November," he said."The minister was talking up the idea of being in Falmouth on a winter's day watching the storms... that might work."The issue would be persuading people, Mr Calder said."Unfortunately, a lot of people in November would slightly rather be in Spain than in lovely Cornwall," he said.
Zawya
an hour ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: De Lille outlines tourism budget priorities, reforms and growth plans
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has outlined how the Department of Tourism's R2.434bn budget for the 2025/26 financial year will be directed towards destination development, tourism support services, legislative reforms, and job creation, with a strong emphasis on rural and township economies. "This budget is based on the Government of National Unity's Programme of Action for the next five years," said De Lille, addressing the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, 22 July. "Our mission is clear: to elevate the profile of tourism as a key driver of economic growth and job creation, as it is identified in the National Development Plan and the Tourism Sector Master Plan." Budget allocation breakdown According to De Lille, the primary allocations from the R2.434bn budget include: • R1.3bn to South African Tourism • R331m to Destination Development, primarily directed to the Working for Tourism programme • R331m to Tourism Sector Support Services, which fund initiatives such as the Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP), Tourism Grading, Market Access, and the Tourism Transformation Fund (TTF) Response to Select Committee concerns De Lille welcomed the recommendations from the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, chaired by Sonja Boshoff, stating: "The Select Committee has identified key aspects where I, too, think the Department of Tourism and South African Tourism can sharpen their focus to deliver on our mandate." "These matters the Department is trying to address in its work, and the current Budget Policy is before the NCOP today for debate," she said. Focus on legislative reforms and governance The department will finalise and table the Tourism Amendment Bill, which aims to address short-term rentals, grading enforcement, and governance. De Lille also committed to: • Reviewing legacy strategies, including those on Heritage & Cultural Tourism, Rural Tourism, and Service Excellence • Implementing 60-day fund approval targets for GTIP, TEF and TTF, with consequence management • Enhancing oversight and governance through quarterly public dashboards tracking EPWP placements, fund disbursements, and risk metrics She said: 'We will strengthen internal controls, audit committees and contract and consequence-management frameworks.' New five-pillar sector plan launched De Lille unveiled the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan, a sector-wide action framework built on five pillars: 1. Ease of access – including visa reform, air connectivity and road transport 2. Coordinated destination marketing 3. Tourist safety and security 4. Tourism product development 5. Job creation – with a focus on youth employment and skills pathways She announced that an Execution Lab will be held next week with sector leaders to develop implementation strategies and timelines to meet 2030 growth targets. Destination development projects in nine provinces De Lille detailed 17 community tourism infrastructure projects scheduled for completion this financial year. Highlights include: • Mthonsi and Qatywa Lodges (Eastern Cape) • Qwa Qwa Guest House (Free State) • Muzi Pan Project (KwaZulu-Natal) • 10 Limpopo projects, including Mapate Recreational Tourism, Nandoni Dam and Phiphidi Waterfall • Mdluli Cultural Centre (Mpumalanga) and Manyane Lodge (North West) At the Tisane Project in Limpopo, upgrades to accommodation and a restaurant have already enabled the hosting of several community functions. "We are also working to finalise condition assessments for five World Heritage Sites," she added. Nearly 18,000 visit new dinosaur centre in a month Since launching on 22 June 2025, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre at Golden Gate Highlands National Park has already attracted nearly 18,000 tourists in its first month. "This demonstrates the power of partnerships. The project was funded by the European Union, with the Department of Tourism working in close collaboration with the Department of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries," said De Lille. Investment and marketing initiatives In September 2025, the department will host the first Tourism Investment Conference in Cape Town to attract anchor investors for tourism infrastructure. "We will launch our Tourism Investment Booklet in collaboration with the UN Tourism," De Lille said. South African Tourism will also sharpen its marketing efforts, particularly in India, China, and Brics+ countries, supported by the improved air access and direct flights expected to resume through SAA. At the recent China mission with Deputy President Paul Mashatile, De Lille noted: "It was encouraging to hear from 150 tour operators about the positive impact the Department of Tourism's Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) is having on sentiment." The department aims to support 105 MICE bid submissions, convert 25 into closed wins, and host 10 events in villages, townships and small towns, with a targeted economic impact of R120m. Youth innovation and risk management To address digital and climate-related challenges, the department is developing a Digital Maturity Roadmap, a real-time tourism dashboard, and mobile tools. A G20 Hackathon will also be hosted, in partnership with 18 higher education institutions, inviting students to propose digital tourism solutions. The Sector Risk and Mitigation Plan will prioritise climate change, safety, health, and governance. In closing, De Lille reiterated the department's commitment to reform and inclusive growth: "Together, we will create a resilient and inclusive tourism sector that powers South Africa's future."
The Independent
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Hurtigruten will pay remote Norwegian villages to host passengers
A Norwegian cruise company has said they have found an "antidote to overtourism ' by offering sailings to smaller villages as part of their packages. Cruise giant Hurtigruten has introduced new 'Open Village' experiences along Norway 's remote coastline in collaboration with local residents. The company said they will be sending a fee per guest to communities involved. The exclusive experiences have been designed to immerse visitors in the everyday life of three villages on the coast: Træna, Bessaker, and Sæbø. Excursions will be available to passengers on Hurtigruten's Signature Line Voyages in the busy summer period between May and September. These voyages take place on the cruise line's smaller ships: the only vessels that visit the remote coastal villages during the summer season. There is space for up to 500 passengers on each ship, with Hurtigruten saying they will directly contribute 250 Norwegian Krone (around £18) per guest to each community they visit. In Bessaker, guests will be welcomed with a festive village parade and will gain access to historic buildings. Live music, woodcarving activities and homemade treats are also planned. Over in Sæbø, tourists can attend church concerts, explore the Avalanche Centre and get a guided tour of the town's natural and cultural history. Meanwhile, a visit to Træna, one of Norway 's oldest fishing communities, will include tours of the local museum and church, plus self-guided wanders around the town. 'As some of Europe's best-known destinations struggle with the pressures of overtourism, our approach is deliberately different: slower, more meaningful travel rooted in genuine connection,' said Odd Tore Skildheim, head of product development at Hurtigruten. 'These villages, with a combined population of fewer than 1,000, are not just points on a map. Through our 'Open Village' concept, there is no cost to our guests. 'Instead, for every visit we make, there is a direct financial contribution made by Hurtigruten to each community based on the number of guests onboard, ensuring the benefits are felt by the people who live there. 'Our aim is for guests to feel truly welcomed and for locals to feel genuinely supported,' he added. Knut Johan Monkan, from tourism company Coastal Host Bessaker, said that while the community will be making an income, the Open Village initiative will also be an opportunity for growth. 'In a village of just 170 people, 12 businesses benefit directly from activity providers to artists, bakers and local producers. 'Without this initiative, places like FABrikken, our new restaurant, and Stokkøy Bakeri, named Norway's best bakery in 2023, would not have managed to keep going. 'The ripple effects are wide-reaching, and Hurtigruten's presence is essential to creating a sustainable, living village and district.'
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
US Retail Faces Hit As Tourists Spend Abroad
International tourists who travel to the US love to shop — but that might change. Augusta Saraiva explains why travelers are avoiding the US this summer (Source: Bloomberg)
Fashion Network
3 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tourists tame their shopaholic ways, if they even come to the US
More than taking in views from the top of the Empire State Building, more than watching Old Faithful erupt and even more than shaking hands with Mickey Mouse, visitors to the US come to do one thing: shop. But now, President Donald Trump 's global trade war and border policies — combined with broader economic uncertainty — are threatening billions of tourism dollars. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates almost 20 billion dollars in retail spending is at risk this year. Some travellers are avoiding the US altogether, and of those who are coming, many are rethinking their budgets. Although some major currencies have recently gained against the dollar, international visitors are still confronting years of US inflation that has driven up the price of hotel stays and restaurant meals, leaving less money in their pockets for shopping. Travel-related spending, which typically grows each year, has been virtually flat this year through May when compared to the same period in 2024, data from the US International Trade Administration show. Meanwhile, foreign arrivals to the US by air were down 6.6% in June compared to last year, according to the ITA. 'Tourists would come with empty suitcases and they would go out, fill the suitcases up and then ship those suitcases home,' said Floris van Dijkum, a managing director at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Now, habits are changing. 'The jury is still out on the ultimate impact, but clearly you're going to see some pressure,' he said. Betto Souza, who has been working as a tour operator in South Florida for over a decade, is experiencing the shift first hand. While his clients — predominantly Brazilians like him — are still flocking to Miami for big events like the Miami Open and Formula One Grand Prix, they're being more selective about what to spend their money on. Steep import taxes and trade barriers have long pushed Brazilians to buy brand-name products abroad, with electronics like Apple Inc. watches and MacBooks — as well as Nike Inc. sneakers, Tommy Hilfiger Corp. shirts and Michael Kors bags — among their go-to purchases. Now, 'some will opt not to buy sneakers so they can still purchase an iPhone. Or they'll forgo buying perfume,' said Souza, 53, who owns Miami Tours & Limo Services. 'Some are sacrificing shopping to be able to have experiences.' Annet van der Meer, visiting New York City from the Netherlands, agrees. She's still shopping for US brands, including New Balance sneakers and UGG boots, but much of her budget is going toward day-to-day expenses. 'Compared with Europe, it's unbelievable,' said van der Meer, 64, who'd just visited the Macy's store near the Empire State Building. 'Food is very expensive, alcohol is very expensive — I think in Europe we pay two times less than here.' Hotel prices are up almost 10% since before the pandemic, while the cost of eating out has risen by almost a third, according to government data. For years, tourists from across the world have included stops at US luxury stores and outlet malls on their list of must-dos when visiting the country. Though e-commerce and international expansion mean the days of filling suitcases with half-price US brands are in the past, there are still some bargains to be found — especially for visitors from countries where certain products are priced at a premium. Last year, shopping was the top leisure activity among the more than 48 million foreigners who flew to the US, a survey by the ITA found, topping sightseeing and visits to national parks, monuments and museums. Visitors could be further deterred by the cost of visas, which are set to rise significantly due to new fees detailed in Trump's multitrillion-dollar tax and spending bill. And in recent weeks, the president has been threatening new tariffs on imports from countries including Brazil, Mexico and South Korea. Canada has already seen widespread boycotts on all things American. The unease among tourists is adding to challenges for everyone from mom-and-pop owned retailers to big companies like Macy's Inc., where Chief Executive Officer Tony Spring recently indicated that international tourism took a toll on sales last quarter. The company, which owns luxury brands Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury as well as its namesake stores, said its forward guidance was based on overseas shoppers staying away. Other companies have suggested US consumers could help offset some of the losses. UK fashion brand Burberry Group Plc said last week that a slowdown among tourists globally was the most challenging part of its business worldwide, but that sales in the Americas beat forecasts in the quarter through June, driven by 'new local customer growth.' Luana Krewer, a 24-year-old college student from Brazil's capital, Brasilia, returned in May from a two-week trip to Orlando and Miami with her family. She was on the hunt for a Coach bag, but said that shopping in the US 'is very different from what it used to be.' Compared to costs on her last visit in 2018, when she found deals on Apple products and the Brazilian real was almost twice as strong against the dollar, 'I thought the prices were very expensive,' she said. Ultimately, she spent more than 1,000 dollars on clothes at the discount store Ross Dress for Less and Florida's outlet stores, picking up products from Nike, Gap Inc., Victoria's Secret & Co. and Target Corp. Back in midtown Manhattan, Selma Aydin manages the New York Gift Store near the Rockefeller Center, selling souvenirs including New York Yankees hats and shirts to tourists. She said fewer people are visiting the store this year, and they're spending less. 'Last year, if people were coming, they were spending 1,000 dollars,' said Aydin, 50. 'One customer, for example, right now, is spending 200 dollars.'
