Malta Tourism Authority joins WTTC as Destination Partner

 

The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) has joined the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) as a Destination Partner, ahead of the WTTC Global Summit 2026, which will take place in Valletta from October 7 to 9.

WTTC: Seven principles to turn tourism growth into shared prosperity

 

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is urging governments, destinations, and the travel industry to rethink how tourism success is measured, shifting the focus from visitor numbers to long-term value for residents, businesses, and travelers.

CzechTourism expands travel trade engagement in India

 

CzechTourism has expanded its engagement with the Indian travel trade by organising dedicated workshops in Hyderabad and Surat. The CzechTourism India workshops formed part of the  tourism board’s year-round programme to strengthen relationships in established cities and fast-growing outbound travel markets.

UNESCO Heritage Sites in Japan: Celebrating 75 Years of Membership

 

This year marks the milestone 75th anniversary of Japan’s membership in UNESCO. Over the decades, Japan has shown an unwavering commitment to safeguarding its natural landscapes and historical treasures, aligning with global sustainable tourism initiatives. In an exciting continuation of this legacy, the Asuka-Fujiwara ancient capitals are officially expected to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, positioning the area to become Japan’s 22nd UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Welcome to Friends of the Foundation

 

Welcome to Friends of the Foundation! We're grateful you've chosen to join a community of travelers and supporters who believe that exploring the world also comes with an opportunity to care for it.

WTTC Invites the World to Choose the 7 Contemporary Wonders of the World

 The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today launched the search for the 7 Contemporary Wonders of the World, a global initiative designed to identify and celebrate the landmarks and buildings created since 1801 that have had the greatest impact on Travel & Tourism, local communities and economic development, and continue to redefine the future of destinations around the world.

ICAO to hold Extraordinary Assembly in November

 

MONTREAL – International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will convene the 43rd Session (Extraordinary) of the ICAO Assembly from 19 to 20 November 2026 in Montréal to elect four additional Member States to the ICAO Council.

WTTC Encourages Barcelona to Reconsider Proposed Cruise Tourist Tax Increase

 

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has expressed concern over proposals to increase Barcelona’s tourist tax on short-stay cruise passengers, warning that the measure could weaken the city’s competitiveness and have unintended consequences for the local economy.

Built to last: ECI celebrates 50 years

 

For 50 years, we have backed ambitious management teams and helped build exceptional businesses, evolving alongside the market every step of the way.

The Long Run and APOLA to Advance Sustainable Outdoor Lodging in Asia Pacific

 

The Long Run (TLR), a global membership organisation working at the intersection of nature conservation and sustainable tourism, and the Asia Pacific Outdoor Lodging Association (APOLA), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the growth of sustainable outdoor lodging in Asia Pacific.

European tourism groups welcome EU action on Spain traveller data rules

BRUSSELS – A coalition of European tourism and travel associations has welcomed the European Commission’s decision to open an infringement procedure against Spain concerning Royal Decree 933/2021 and its compatibility with the EU Law Enforcement Directive.

WTTC sets eight priorities for travel and tourism growth

 

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has approved eight strategic priorities that will guide the future direction of the global  Travel & Tourism private sector and support long-term growth, resilience and transformation across the industry.

JNTO new global campaign "Japan. Unforgettable" to target potential first time visitors

 The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has launched a new global marketing campaign designed to inspire first-time visitors to explore Japan’s diverse attractions throughout the year.

New fuel crisis mechanism: governments urged to act following IRU vote

 

IRU members have unanimously adopted a resolution calling for a fuel crisis mechanism and urging governments to work with road transport operators on the development of contingency plans.

Aquila and Xploratur expand accessible cruise tourism training

 

PUERTO PLATA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence has completed specialised training for Dominican Republic-based tour operator Xploratur to support the launch of “Xploratur Access,” a new division focused on accessible excursions for the cruise sector.

Africa CDC responds to US Ebola travel advisory

 

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – Africa CDC has responded to the United States government’s decision to issue a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for the Democratic Republic of Congo and impose entry restrictions on non-US passport holders who recently travelled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

ICAO calls for faster aviation decarbonization action

For decades, civil aviation has been an engine of globalization, prosperity, and human connection. Yet it continues to face a defining test: whether it can decarbonize quickly enough to remain both viable and valued in a climate-constrained economy.

VisitBritain leads tourism programme for largest ever UK trade delegation to US

Britain’s visitor offer will be taking centre stage in the United States (US) in May as VisitBritain leads a tourism delegation to Greater Together Los Angeles (GTLA), a flagship programme of business and cultural activity being held by the UK Government’s GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign.

ASTA Releases Industry Brief on NCFs and Their Impact on Travel Advisor Compensation

Member-exclusive brief examines the impact of non-commissionable fares on advisor compensation, supplier relationships and the future of transparent travel distribution

 This Industry Brief is provided for background purposes only. Reporters may quote from the document with attribution to ASTA but we ask that you not link directly to the member-only brief in published coverage.

The Senate Is Voting—Act Now to Stop a Harmful Farm Bill

 

The harmful Farm Bill continues to move forward and is now heading to a Senate vote. Last week, we asked you to speak out as these threats emerged—now, the stakes are even higher.