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snails

Taiwanese Town Emphasizes The Quality Of A Slow-Paced Life Through Snail Racing 

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Fenglin is a Taiwanese town that has obtained a reputation for being a place where life moves slowly, allowing residents to catch their breath and appreciate the little things that make living so great. 

The town has a population of about 10,000, and now, they’re embracing their new reputation through snail racing. 

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Fenglin has been holding snail races as a way to celebrate the attitude on a slower, more sustainable, lifestyle that values healthcare, longevity, and embracing community connections. Two years ago, a strong earthquake in the area caused tourism to drastically decline, but now the town is rebuilding itself and opening their doors to travelers. 

“The earthquake two years ago had a relatively big impact on tourism because people are worried an earthquake may happen again,” said Hsu Lu, a 32-year-old resident, to AP. 

“Many people have left Hualien because of earthquakes,” Hsu said.

Fenglin has had an association with snails since 2014. That year, the town joined the Cittaslow international network of small cities that have a focus on quality of life and locally sourced foods. Cittaslow’s symbol itself is a snail carrying an assortment of buildings on its shell. 

Fenglin also represents Taiwan’s “super-aged” society, in which certain towns have a high senior citizen population. Fenglin itself has more than 20% of its residents older than 65. 

The April 2024 earthquake killed 19 people and injured over 1,100. To help reinvigorate local tourism, residents decided to host a snail race, according to organizer Cheng Jen-shou. 

“We thought that our event could attract people, and that would be a small help,” he said.

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This year the town has hosted the third edition of the race over the May Day holiday. Several dozen residents and tourists gathered to attend the race. 

The event itself was stretched over two days and featured six snail races. The winners from each race then competed in the final, but not before taking their moment in the spotlight to pose in front of audiences while they were pulled on a piece of plywood across a green carpet as fans cheered. 

Li Cheng-wen is a 70-year-old retiree from Fenglin who brought several snails to the race. Li caught the snails in his vegetable garden while they ate his leafy greens and instead of killing them to maintain his home-grown food, he decided to keep them as pets. He now feeds them slices of bananas, papaya, and vegetable leaves while giving them daily showers. 

“As to the criteria for choosing snails for the race, I usually select those that are very active and pleasing to the eye.”

The race consisted of 10 snails being placed near the center of a round table covered in a thin vinyl sheet. The first snail to reach the edge of the table was the winner. This year’s absolute champion was Guage, or Brother Snail. Tanya Lin from Hualien has been raising the snail since 2024, and it won the race the same year as well. 

Beyond the snail race, the local government has been trying to bring back tourism by offering guided e-bike tours to show off the city’s historic sites.

plane

New WTTC Data Shows America’s Travel Sector Is Expanding While Getting Cleaner

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New findings from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) suggest the United States may be entering a new era of cleaner growth in its travel sector, as the industry’s environmental footprint shrinks even while economic output rises.

The organization’s newest installment of its Environmental & Social Research (ESR) series indicates that the U.S. travel and tourism economy is showing early signs of decoupling its expansion from its emissions, a milestone sustainability experts have argued is essential for long-term climate goals.

According to the report, travel and tourism’s GDP in the U.S. grew an average of 1.8 percent each year from 2019 to 2024. Over that same period, greenhouse gas emissions from the sector fell by 1.7 percent annually. In other words, the industry is managing to do something that has historically proven difficult by producing more economic value while generating fewer environmental harms.

“This is a very positive sign, and clear proof that U.S. Travel & Tourism can decouple growth from environmental impact,” said Gloria Guevara, WTTC Interim President & CEO.

“This positive trajectory matters both nationally and globally. As the world’s largest Travel & Tourism market, the U.S. has a unique opportunity to lead the global transition to a cleaner, more competitive future.”

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The ESR data illustrates what that challenge looks like in practice. Transportation, spanning everything from long-haul flights to regional rail lines and buses, continues to dominate the industry’s emissions profile, accounting for 54 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. travel and tourism.

Utilities account for another 14 percent, largely because the domestic power grid still leans heavily on fossil fuels. The remainder comes from a mix of industrial sources, including manufacturing, agriculture, and fuel production, all of which indirectly support travel operations.

Despite encouraging trends in emissions, the report also underscores how far the sector must go, particularly in adopting clean energy. Low-carbon energy usage across U.S. travel and tourism has hovered around 5.2 percent since 2022. That rate trails the global average and signals that the United States, despite having the world’s largest travel economy, is behind many other countries in shifting its travel sector toward renewable power.

But the WTTC’s research doesn’t stop at environmental metrics. The ESR also takes stock of the travel industry’s social footprint, highlighting who is being employed, how the labor landscape is shifting, and where gaps remain. One of the most notable findings concerns gender representation. In 2024, 9.5 million women were directly employed in U.S. travel and tourism, making up 47.4 percent of the sector’s workforce. That share surpasses the national labor-force average for women, which stands at 45.6 percent.

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Young workers also hold a significant presence in the industry. Employment among Americans aged 15 to 24 grew by more than 1.1 percent this year, with 3.54 million young people now working across hotels, attractions, transportation companies, restaurants, and related businesses. Altogether, they make up 23.7 percent of the industry, far above the national average of 13.1 percent, suggesting the sector remains a major entry point into the U.S. workforce.

However, the report highlights one area where the industry is struggling—high-wage employment. Only 25.5 percent of workers in U.S. travel and tourism earn high incomes, well below the broader national rate of 50.7 percent. Even within the travel and tourism field across the region, the U.S. trails the average of 29.5 percent, pointing to persistent wage stratification in an industry that relies heavily on service roles.

Together, the WTTC’s environmental and social findings paint a picture of a sector in transition, one that is beginning to make progress on emissions and continues to play a crucial role in employing women and young workers, yet still grapples with energy adoption challenges and wage inequality. For now, the organization argues, the trajectory is promising. Whether the momentum can continue may depend on the U.S.’s willingness to ramp up renewable energy investments and address structural gaps in its workforce.

New Zealand

New Zealand To Begin Charging Foreign Tourists To Visit Famous Sites 

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New Zealand announced its plans to start charging international tourists fees in order to visit some of their countries most famous natural sites. With these transactions, New Zealand is hoping to make it easier for local businesses to operate on conservation land and allow room for ecological, cultural, and economic growth. 

Reports indicate the government is planning to charge visiting tourists NZ$20-40 ($12-24) per person in order to gain access to their famous sites. These sites will include spots such as Cathedral Cove/Te Whanganui-a-Hei, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Track and Aoraki Mount Cook.

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According to the plans, the fees will likely be implemented in 2027. 

Tama Potaka, the conservation minister, estimated that the new fees could generate up to NZ$62 million annually, “so we can keep investing in the sites that underpin so much of our tourism sector.” 

The implementation of these new fees is a part of a larger-scale plan to shift the nation’s conservation law regarding selling or exchanging conservation land so more activities can occur in these places without needing a permit. 

“In the spirit of saying yes to more jobs, more growth and higher wages, the government would unleash a fresh wave of concessions including in tourism, agriculture and infrastructure at some locations,” prime minister Christopher Luxon said on Saturday, according to the Guardian. 

Conservation land makes up one third of New Zealand territory and it is protected and publicly owned. It’s known for its biodiversity, historic, and cultural value. 

“Some businesses such as ski fields and grazing already operated on conservation land but many other businesses struggled to gain the same permission,” Luxon said. This is just one of many newer policies in New Zealand that is seeking to loosen regulation on natural sites in the name of economic growth. 

Last year, the government passed a law that will potentially allow for contentious mining and infrastructure projects to be fast-tracked for approval. There have also been proposed law changes to make it easier for companies to kill protected wildlife for infrastructure projects. 

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Conservation and climate initiatives are also experiencing budget cuts. 

Critics are speaking out against these new policies, stating its irresponsible to risk harming not only the environment but vulnerable and protected species. New Zealand is known for their biodiversity, but like the rest of the world, many species are threatened by endangerment and on the brink of extinction. 

Green party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said “Luxon was putting profit above the protection of nature,” according to the Guardian. 

“That tells us everything we need to know about who he thinks he works for. It’s not regular people, future generations or a healthy environment,” she said in a statement to the Guardian.

“[The latest reforms] represent the most significant weakening of conservation law in a generation and would increase pressure on vulnerable species,” said Nicola Toki, the chief executive of New Zealand’s largest conservation organisation, Forest & Bird.

“They shift the focus from protection to exploitation, dismantling the very purpose of our national parks and conservation lands.”

north korea

North Korea Unveils Beach Resort, Kim Jong-un Hails It As One Of Nation’s ‘Greatest Feats’

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This week, North Korea leader Kim Jong-un and his family visited the newest tourist attraction for the nation, a new beach resort. The Wonsan Kalma is being described as a coastal resort that will one day host foreign visitors. 

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The resort is being hailed as one of the nation’s greatest feats of the year, according to the state-run KCNA news agency. 

Kim was joined by wife Ri Sol-ju and daughter Kim Ju-ae, and the three were seen relaxing poolside with a pack of cigarettes, cold drinks, and towels. They watched along as fresh visitors made their way through the resort and waterslides. 

The family also were photographed along a long beach with hotels in the distance. North Korea has been making world headlines this year for its material support for Russia’s war against the Ukraine and targeting of Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program, so the outing seemed to be a part of North Korea’s “soft-focus coverage” of the family, according to reports.

The resort is located on the east coast of the nation and includes sports and recreational facilities with commercial and public catering services. 

KCNA stated that Kim “expressed belief that the wave of the happiness to be raised in the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area would enhance its attractive name as a world-level tourist cultural resort.” 

“Authorities hoped the resort would attract 20,000 visitors a year after it opens on 1 July,” KCNA said. 

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Kim cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony for the resort, and stated that it would “play a leading role in establishing a tourist culture” for the nation. 

The Wonsan Kalma is currently only open to locals, but North Korea as a whole has been slowly loosening their restrictions on overseas visitors that were initially implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Regular tourism is effectively banned in North Korea, however, Russian tourists have been able to visit certain parts of the nation on group tours. 

It’s unclear when or how North Korea would open up their resort, and nation, to tourism, but the intention was made clear with this first family visit for the opening of the resort. 

This also marked Ri-sol’s first public appearance since the New Year in 2024, according to South Korean media. The first-daughter has been regularly seen with her father since 2022, causing speculation that she is being prepped to become the fourth member of the Kim dynasty, and the first woman to hold the role since North Korea was founded in 1948.

music

Over 140 Report Alleged Syringe Attacks Amid Fête de la Musique Celebrations

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French authorities are investigating a disturbing wave of alleged needle attacks that occurred during the country’s annual Fête de la Musique, a nationwide celebration of music that draws millions each year. Officials said Sunday that 145 individuals across France reported being pricked by needles during the festivities on Saturday. Twelve people have been arrested in connection with the incidents, though details about the suspects and any substances possibly used remain scarce.

Some victims were hospitalized for toxicology screenings, but as of right now, no official findings about drug use or intent have been released, according to the French Interior Ministry.

The Fête de la Musique takes place annually on June 21, which usually falls around or on the summer solstice. The event, now in its 43rd year, transforms streets, parks, and public spaces into open-air stages as both amateur and professional musicians perform for free across France and its overseas territories.

Ahead of the event, French media outlets, such as Le Monde, reported that disturbing posts had circulated online encouraging attacks on women.

Metz Mayor François Grosdidier said in a social media post, originally written in French, that a call was made to police at 9:15 p.m. local time during the festival about “syringe attacks.” Once authorities arrived at Rue du Palais in La Rochelle, multiple women between the ages of 14 and 20 were reported to be victims.

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“A report of a syringe attacker was given to the CSU to locate him in the footage, as well as to the national and municipal police,” Grosdidier wrote.

“The municipal police identified him on Rue Serpenoise, arrested him, and handed him over to the National Police and the Justice Department. I hope that the investigation, particularly through the examination of his cell phone, will lead to the identification of other attackers.”

In Paris, investigations kicked off after three people, including a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old male, reported feeling unwell after being jabbed in separate incidents across the city. Of the 145 victims, 13 were reported to be in Paris.

The alarming reports add to a growing trend seen in recent years of individuals, often women, claiming they were injected with unknown substances without consent in crowded settings such as bars, nightclubs, or public events. While rare, the phenomenon has been unsettling enough to spark concern among both citizens and officials.

In the United Kingdom, a 2022 parliamentary report highlighted a similar surge in needle-spiking cases, documenting more than 1,000 reports between September 2021 and December 2022. The majority of those incidents occurred at night in pubs and clubs, though some were also reported at festivals and private parties. The report, based on surveys of more than 3,000 victims and witnesses, emphasized that the true scale of the issue remains unknown, in part due to underreporting and the difficulty of obtaining toxicological confirmation.

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Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez acknowledged the seriousness of the recent complaints in an interview with CNews, while still urging caution. “This is not a new phenomenon,” he said, noting that some reports may stem from misinterpretation or hypervigilance. In one case cited by the northern French newspaper La Voix du Nord, a young woman who believed she had been injected was later found to have only a scratch.

Experts have also expressed skepticism about the scope and certainty of such attacks. Dr. Adam Winstock, founder of the Global Drug Survey and a professor at University College London, characterized needle spiking as “remarkably rare.”

He noted that in both needle and drink spiking cases, toxicological evidence often fails to confirm any drug administration. Only a small percentage of drinks that are suspected to be spiked actually turn out to be spiked. Often, sensational news coverage can amplify public anxiety and lead to a form of collective panic.

“Until there is toxicological evidence, what the story might be is that a group of people pick up on something they heard had happened to someone else. Because you feel a sharp prick does not mean you have been injected with a drug.”

Winstock emphasized that the real dangers in nightlife settings are more common risks, such as sexual assault or exploitation while intoxicated. Needle spiking is “not the biggest threat out there,” he said.

As investigations continue, French authorities say they are treating the situation with a balance of urgency and skepticism.

louvre

Louvre Closes as Staff Protest Overwhelming Crowds and ‘Untenable’ Conditions

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The Louvre, internationally renowned as the most visited museum and a cherished symbol of culture and resilience, was unexpectedly closed on Monday because its staff had reached a breaking point. Exhausted employees claim the famed institution is on the verge of collapse internally, burdened by unprecedented visitor numbers and inadequate resources.

The sudden walkout began unexpectedly during a regular internal meeting. Staff, including gallery guards, ticket handlers, and security personnel, collectively refused to resume their duties, protesting extreme crowding, persistent understaffing, and working conditions described by union representatives as “untenable.”

“It’s the Mona Lisa moan out here,” said Kevin Ward, a 62-year-old visitor from Milwaukee, stranded among crowds beneath architect I.M. Pei’s iconic glass pyramid. “Thousands of people waiting, no communication, no explanation. I guess even she needs a day off.”

The museum, famous for housing Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpieces and numerous historical artifacts, stood idle; yet, the situation resonated far beyond a typical workplace dispute, highlighting a broader issue—overtourism. As iconic destinations like Venice and Greece’s Acropolis increasingly restrict crowds, the Louvre faces its own critical moment of reckoning.

This closure follows closely on the heels of President Emmanuel Macron’s ambitious initiative, announced earlier this year—a ten-year renovation project aimed at resolving longstanding issues, including leaking ceilings, destructive temperature fluctuations, outdated infrastructure, and overwhelming visitor numbers. However, frontline employees, such as Sarah Sefian from the CGT-Culture union, argue that these long-term plans fail to address their immediate, critical concerns.

“We cannot endure six more years waiting for solutions. Our teams are already stretched beyond their limits. It isn’t only about preserving art—it’s about protecting the people who safeguard it.”

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While rare, the Louvre has previously shut its doors during wartime, pandemics, and several past labor strikes, including those sparked by overcrowding in 2019 and security concerns in 2013. Yet Monday’s closure struck differently, as confused tourists stood in lines, tickets ready, but without any official explanation for the abrupt halt.

At the heart of the museum’s overcrowding woes remains Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, a 16th-century painting that attracts massive daily crowds. Approximately 20,000 visitors daily cram into the Salle des États to catch a fleeting glimpse of the famed portrait. The room frequently becomes disordered, with visitors maneuvering aggressively for selfies, scarcely noticing surrounding masterpieces by artists like Titian and Veronese.

Ji-Hyun Park, 28, who traveled from Seoul, told The Associated Press that the scene inside the museum was chaotic.

“You don’t see a painting. You see phones. You see elbows. You feel heat. And then, you’re pushed out.”

President Macron’s renovation project, titled the “Louvre New Renaissance,” aims to improve this situation. Plans include providing the Mona Lisa with a separate exhibition space accessible through timed-entry reservations and adding a new visitor entrance by the Seine River by 2031, easing pressure from the congested pyramid entrance.

“Conditions of display, explanation and presentation will be up to what the Mona Lisa deserves,” Macron stated in January.

Last year, the Louvre recorded an overwhelming 8.7 million visitors, more than double its originally designed capacity. Despite capping daily admissions at 30,000, staff report a severe strain, inadequate restroom facilities, and limited rest spaces, with the intensified summer heat exacerbated by the glass pyramid’s greenhouse-like conditions.

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In a recently leaked internal memo, Louvre President Laurence des Cars revealed stark realities, describing parts of the museum as no longer watertight and susceptible to damaging temperature swings. She further highlighted serious inadequacies in basic visitor amenities—like dining areas, restrooms, and signage—declaring the visitor experience “a physical ordeal.”

“What began as a scheduled monthly information session turned into a mass expression of exasperation.”

Negotiations between museum management and employees continued into Monday afternoon, with the museum remaining closed into the evening.

The extensive renovation project is to be funded through ticket sales, private contributions, government support, and revenues from the Louvre’s Abu Dhabi branch. Non-EU visitor ticket prices are expected to increase later this year.

However, museum employees stress that their immediate needs outweigh any promise of a decade-long renovation. Unlike other sites in Paris, such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Centre Pompidou, both of which are undergoing significant state-supported restoration, the Louvre remains in a state of financial and operational limbo, neither adequately funded nor sufficiently supported.

President Macron, who celebrated his 2017 election victory at the Louvre and prominently featured it during the 2024 Paris Olympics, assures a modernized, safer museum within this decade. Until then, France’s premier cultural landmark and the crowds clamoring to visit remain trapped between ambitious plans and current realities.

everest

Nepal Proposes Everest Climbing Law Requiring Prior 7,000-Meter Ascent

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Nepal is preparing to implement new regulations aimed at reducing overcrowding and enhancing climber safety on Mount Everest by restricting climbing permits exclusively to climbers who have previously ascended at least one mountain of 7,000 meters or higher within Nepal.

The legislation, known as the Integrated Tourism Bill, was presented in Nepal’s upper house of Parliament on April 18. It specifically targets pressing ecological issues, safety concerns, and overcrowding on Mount Everest, which at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) remains the highest peak above sea level, confirmed by a 2020 joint survey between Nepal and China.

Nepal’s economy heavily relies on tourism income, especially mountaineering, trekking, and related activities. Revenue generated from climbing permits represents a substantial source of foreign exchange for the nation, which boasts eight of the world’s 14 tallest mountains.

However, this reliance has led to widespread criticism of the government’s permit issuance practices, particularly in allowing inexperienced climbers to attempt Everest, resulting in dangerous situations.

Recently, Nepal raised the price of Everest climbing permits by 36 percent, increasing from approximately £8,249 to £11,248. This was the first significant price adjustment in nearly a decade.

Despite the financial benefits, the environmental repercussions of increasing tourist traffic are severe. Everest faces mounting issues of pollution, including accumulated garbage, human waste, and broader ecological damage to the fragile alpine environment. Additionally, rescue operations at extreme altitudes are both exceptionally dangerous and costly.

Overcrowding in critical sections of Everest, particularly the notorious “death zone” where oxygen is insufficient for human survival, has created hazardous bottlenecks, significantly increasing risks for climbers.

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The new regulations aim to mitigate these problems by requiring prospective Everest climbers to submit documented proof of previously ascending a Nepal-based peak of at least 7,000 meters before applying for an Everest permit. This measure intends to ensure climbers have sufficient high-altitude experience, thus minimizing risks associated with inexperienced mountaineering.

Additionally, climbers must undergo a thorough medical examination by a government-approved medical institution within one month of the planned expedition. Applicants must also declare in advance any intentions to set or attempt records during their climbs.

The consequences for violating rules are set to increase in severity. Nepali climbers discovered to be in violation of regulations could face a decade-long ban from climbing, alongside fines equivalent to the cost of their climbing permits or a combination of both penalties. Foreigners could encounter identical penalties, along with a five-year prohibition on re-entering Nepal.

The proposed legislation also mandates that the primary guide, known locally as the Sardar, and accompanying mountain guides must be Nepali citizens. Furthermore, permit fees, once paid, cannot be transferred to another individual. In cases where expeditions are disrupted due to uncontrollable circumstances such as natural disasters or conflicts, permits will remain valid for a two-year period without refund.

International climbing companies have expressed significant concerns over the proposed restrictions, particularly regarding the exclusive requirement of prior ascents on Nepali peaks. Lukas Furtenbach, founder of the Austrian expedition organizer Furtenbach Adventures, argues that well-known international peaks should be recognized as qualifying climbs.

“That wouldn’t make any sense. And I would also add mountains that are close to 7,000 meters to that list and that are widely used as preparation, like Ama Dablam, Aconcagua, Denali and others.”

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Furtenbach also emphasized to Reuters the importance of allowing qualified international guides to operate on Everest due to a shortage of adequately qualified Nepali guides.

“It is important that mountain guides have a qualification like IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations), no matter what nationality they are. We do also welcome Nepali IFMGA guides to work in the Alps in Europe.”

The Kathmandu Post reports that the new bill also includes provisions for improved dead body management insurance. The process of recovering bodies from Everest presents significant financial and logistical challenges, with costs ranging from $20,000 to $200,000, reflecting the inherent risks involved.

Additionally, the proposed legislation aims to substitute the existing $4,000 refundable garbage deposit with a non-refundable garbage fee. The funds will go toward climber welfare and environmental conservation.

“What’s already outlined in the bill paints a clear picture: the government is trying to bring order, accountability, and safety to the mountains.”

Nepal’s 2025 Everest climbing season began in April, and the country has already issued approximately 402 permits. The total number of permits issued is expected to exceed 500 during the peak climbing window in May.

Still in draft form, the law has to go through deliberations in both houses of Parliament. Nepal’s Ministry of Tourism officials claim changes are likely before the final bill is approved.

plane

America No Longer on the Itinerary: Global Travelers Rethink U.S. Trips Amid Rising Tensions

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International travelers are increasingly reconsidering trips to the United States amid growing concerns over feeling unsafe or unwelcome due to controversial policies and diplomatic tensions linked to the Trump administration. Issues such as border detentions, heightened trade conflicts, and strained relations with longstanding allies are causing many tourists to rethink their support for the U.S. economy.

A proposed new travel ban could restrict citizens from up to 43 countries, including Belarus, Cambodia, and St. Lucia, further complicating international relations and fueling traveler anxieties.

Mallory Henderson, a London-based marketing consultant who regularly visited the U.S. to see family, told The New York Times she canceled her upcoming trip to Boston, citing discomfort with the “unpredictable” environment.

“So many Americans are looking to escape the tense and toxic atmosphere at home. Why would anyone want to visit, especially right now, with all the arbitrary detentions at immigration? It’s a really hostile and scary time, and quite frankly, there’s plenty of other inviting and pleasant places I can go to meet up with my family.”

Even before recent political shifts, the American tourism sector was already struggling to rebound from the pandemic. The strong U.S. dollar and prolonged visa processing had delayed recovery, with international visitor numbers projected not to reach pre-pandemic levels until late 2025 and tourist spending not fully rebounding until 2026, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

Tourism Economics, a research firm, initially predicted a 9 percent growth in travel to the U.S. this year but recently revised forecasts to reflect a 5.1 percent decline in inbound visitors.
This downturn is expected to result in an $18 billion reduction in visitor spending, significantly driven by Canadian travelers responding to newly imposed tariffs. In February, cross-border Canadian visits dropped by 24 percent year-over-year.

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Major airlines like Delta, American, and United have adjusted financial forecasts and reduced flights, especially to and from Canada, reflecting the diminished demand. United CEO Scott Kirby explicitly noted a substantial drop in Canadian passengers.

President of Tourism Economics, Adam Sacks, attributes this decline to perceptions caused by aggressive policy decisions.

“The negative sentiment shift is anticipated to be sustained by an evolving mix of Trump administration factors, including geopolitical friction on trade and national security policies, charged rhetoric and adversarial posturing. High-visibility border security and immigration policies and enforcement actions are also expected to discourage visits.”

Several nations, including the U.K., Canada, and Germany, have updated travel advisories cautioning citizens that visa waivers do not guarantee smooth entry into the U.S. following several highly publicized border detentions involving foreign nationals. For example, France recently protested after a French scientist was denied entry, allegedly due to his personal opinions about American politics discovered during a phone inspection—an assertion the U.S. denied.

While Europe has not seen cancellations at Canada’s scale, many travelers are reconsidering future trips to the United States. European Travel Agents’ Secretary General Eric Dresin warned that continued policy turbulence might lead to greater disruption in the European tourism market. In February, arrivals from Western Europe dipped by 1 percent compared to a 14 percent increase the previous year.

Tourists like Christoph Bartel, a German citizen who lives in Norway, are choosing alternate destinations after U.S. policy shifts. Bartel had initially planned to visit Arizona in the summer to tour national parks but canceled his plans when Trump fired park employees and reversed environmental regulations.

“It does not feel right to support the American economy when the president is causing so much sabotage. It is disappointing to abandon a special trip we planned for months, but we will go to Canada or Mexico instead.”

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British travelers, traditionally the largest European visitor group after Canada and Mexico, are also becoming cautious. Alan Wilson of Bon Voyage Travel & Tours noted a 5 percent drop in bookings for U.S. trips this year, driven partly by increased hotel costs and frustration with tipping culture.

“The British market absolutely hates the 20 percent tipping culture and how America always has its hand held out for the next gratuity. They would rather pay the money upfront.”

Small businesses reliant on tourism in popular destinations like New York and California feel the pinch. Luke Miller of Real New York Tours reported devastating cancellations, especially from Canadian visitors, with a bleak outlook for future bookings. If business doesn’t rebound, Miller fears layoffs will be inevitable. “I just had 20 busloads of seniors cancel their upcoming tours. That’s thousands of dollars of losses for my small business,” Mr. Miller said.

In response, state tourism agencies are stepping up marketing to reassure travelers. Visit California, the state’s tourism agency, slightly lowered its 2025 spending forecast, citing reduced international arrivals and recent wildfires.

“The good news is, thanks to California’s strong brand on the global stage, international visitors continue to show a strong affinity for the Golden State,” Caroline Beteta, the agency’s president, said in a statement.

New York City Tourism+ Conventions is emphasizing affordability and attractions beyond Manhattan, confident that the city will ultimately achieve its recovery goals despite present challenges.

“This is an excellent opportunity to highlight the other boroughs and parts of New York City outside of Manhattan that are just as vibrant and have amazing, award-winning culinary, arts and cultural experiences.”

Still, business owners like Miller remain concerned. “The reality is that we are being hit the hardest and might not survive,” he said.

Tourism Returns To Pre-Pandemic Highs With More Than 1.4 Billion People Traveling Last Year 

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The UN’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released its annual year-in-review data for 2024, revealing that the tourism industry around the world has returned to pre-pandemic levels. 

The report stated that around 1.4 billion traveled internationally last year. The exact number of individuals makes up 99% of the amount of travelers from 2019, the year before the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the world and isolated everyone. 

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For 2024, that amount of traveling led to $1.9 trillion being spent within the tourism industry. On average, that means each traveler spent more than $1,000 during their trips. 

More specifically, Europe was the most-visited continent with 747 million people traveling there in 2024, according to the UNWTO. 

France ended up being the world’s most-visited nation in 2024 with about 100 million visitors, according to France’s own figures from their tourism board. Spain was close behind them with about 98 million tourists last year. 

“2024 was an exceptional year for French tourism, promising prospects for 2025!” Atout France, the country’s national tourism marketing department, said in a statement.

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The 2024 Summer Olympics was a major reason for these high numbers, as well as the re-opening of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, and the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. 

The UNWTO reports that around 316 million people traveled to Asia and the Pacific last year, 213 million went to the Americas, 95 million to the Middle East, and 74 million to Africa. 

In the Middle East, Qatar saw a 137% increase in tourism, which many are crediting to the nation’s investments in infrastructure. Additionally, Qatar Airways was named the world’s best airline in 2024.

Based on this report, global tourism isn’t just returning to previous pre-pandemic levels, it’s actually exceeding them.

The UNWTO’s panel of experts cautioned that “balancing growth and sustainability will be critical in 2025 [and advised] the discovery of lesser-known destinations.”

Mona Lisa To Be Moved To Private Room As Louvre Undergoes Renovation

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The Mona Lisa is set to get its own private room in the Louvre. As the world’s most visited museum, the Louvre has decided to undergo a major renovation to deal with the “physical ordeal” of the overcrowded building.

Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, delivered a speech in front of the 16th century work of art to announce the move of the Mona Lisa to its own “special space,” claiming he was “humbled” to be in the historic location in front of such an iconic painting. 

In his speech Macron also announced that as of January 1st 2026, museum visitors who are from countries outside of the European Union would have to pay a higher entrance fee. 

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“[The Mona Lisa’s new spot] will be independently accessible compared to the rest of the museum, with its own access pass.”

As it currently stands, the Mona Lisa hangs behind a protective glass in the largest room of the museum. The room also features other 16th century works, and despite its large size, overcrowding has become a major issue due to the historic significance and popularity of the Mona Lisa. 

In 2024 the Louvre had 8.7 million visitors, and more than 75% of those visitors were people from outside of France. Once the renovation is completed, Macron stated that he hopes the museum sees up to 12 million visitors a year. 

The renovation will feature a new grand entrance that will be opened in 2031 as well as new underground rooms to expand the amount of space for various exhibitions. The renovations will be paid for by the museum’s patrons and other resources and not by taxpayers. 

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The last time the Louvre had a major renovation was in the 1980s when its now iconic glass pyramid was first introduced. At the time, the renovation was designed for 4 million annual visitors, which the museum has now doubled. 

The Louvre’s director, Laurence des Cars, said in a note to the cultural ministry “the space below the pyramid was not properly insulated from the cold or heat, tended to amplify noise, and was uncomfortable for both the public and the staff. She also raised the alarm over water leaks, failing infrastructure and temperature swings which endanger the conservation of works of art. Visitors faced overcrowding and substandard facilities.”

 “Today, 9 million visitors a year is obviously a treasure, but the access, flow and security do not allow people to visit the establishment in the best conditions,” he said. 

French media outlets are estimating that the ambitious renovation plan will likely cost hundreds of millions of euros. 

“The Louvre is more than a museum, it’s part of our French identity,” Des Cars said.