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Travellers walk past an installation in the shape of five stars, at Beijing Daxing International Airport in Beijing, China April 24, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/file photoBEIJING, Aug 10 (Reuters) - China has lifted pandemic-era restrictions on group tours for more countries, including key markets such as the United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia in a potential boon for their tourism industries. Just how much outbound Chinese tourism will bounce back for the latest group of countries remains to be seen. Shares in firms in the latest group of countries with large exposure to Chinese travel demand jumped on the news. China has never publicly acknowledged limiting group tours to South Korea.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Fumio Kishida, Don Farrell, Steve Saxon, Casey, Sophie Yu, Joyce Lee, Jamie Freed, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Beijing Daxing International, REUTERS, Japanese, Trade, Tourism, Weibo, McKinsey & Co, South, Grand Korea, Reuters, Casey Hall, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, BEIJING, United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Germany, Britain, Canada, Thailand, Russia, Cuba, Argentina, Nepal, France, Portugal, Brazil, Xinjiang, South Korean, U.S, Shanghai, Seoul

☆ Over $1 trillion needed for developing nations' climate transition, says ex-World Bank official
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

(Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)Developing nations will need more than $1 trillion each year to make significant progress in climate transition, according Mari Pangestu, a former World Bank official. "The estimate is like $1 [trillion] to $3 trillion a year for developing countries to be able to transition," she told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Thursday. This has led to tensions between developing nations and the developed world, which are pushing for more progress in climate related issues. "This debate is going to continue unless developed countries can see that this is about development and climate — not just about climate," Pangestu, a former trade and tourism minister for Indonesia, said. This was "part of the bone of contention," for the lack of progress made in the recently concluded Group of 20 climate ministers meeting in India, Pangestu said.

Persons: Kevin Frayer, Mari Pangestu, CNBC's, Pangestu Organizations: World Bank Locations: Inner Mongolia, China, Indonesia, India

The kingdom's sovereign wealth fund reported an AUM of 1.98 trillion riyals for 2021. The PIF said it generated a total shareholders' return of 8% and established 25 companies in 2022, and locally deployed 120 billion riyals in that year in strategic sectors. The PIF said 23% of its AUM were international investments, while 68% were local investments and the remainder were treasury. PIF is the chosen vehicle of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, to drive an economic agenda aimed at cutting reliance on oil. The fund raised $5.5 billion in February from a green bond sale, following its inaugural green bond that raised $3 billion in October.

Persons: Yasir Othman Al, Mohammed Abdullah Al Jadaan, Ahmed Aqeel Al Khateeb, Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Majid Abdullah Al Qasabi, Khalid Abdulaziz Al Falih, PIF, Ahmed Elimam, Alex Richardson Organizations: Saudi Public Investment, Saudi Finance, Tourism, Investment, Read, Saudi, Public Investment Fund, Sunday, Aramco, Sanabil Investments, Thomson Locations: Saudi, DUBAI, London , New York, Hong Kong, Saudi Aramco

☆ Greece sees some wildfire respite, though stubborn blazes rage on
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Wildfires across Greece have abated but firefighters are still operating at different spots," a fire brigade official said. Greece is heavily reliant on tourism and Rhodes, one of its biggest islands, is among its top summer destinations, attracting about 1.5 million foreign tourists in the summer months. [1/4]Flames and smoke rise as a wildfire burns near the village of Gennadi, on the island of Rhodes, Greece, July 25, 2023. REUTERS/Nicolas Economou/File PhotoTourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said that wildfires have affected only a small part of the island. On the island of Corfu, where a wildfire rekindled overnight without threatening homes, a local governor said he suspected arson.

Persons: Rhodes, Nicolas Economou, Olga Kefalogianni, Nikos Mouzakitis, Angeliki Koutantou, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Firefighters, Canadair CL, Rhodes, REUTERS, ERT, Thomson Locations: ATHENS, Greece, Evia, Rhodes, Gennadi, Corfu, Athens

☆ Wildfire rages near resort town in southern Turkey
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ISTANBUL, July 25 (Reuters) - Turkish firefighters battled a wildfire near the resort of Kemer in the southern province of Antalya on Tuesday, tackling the blaze from land and air amid high temperatures across the region. The blaze spread fast through woodland in the area as a result of strong winds and low humidity, the Antalya governor's office said in a statement. The Turkish blaze spread as an intense summer heatwave scorched large areas of the Mediterranean, with wildfires killing 34 people in Algeria and forcing the evacuation of thousands of tourists from the Greek island of Rhodes. Antalya Governor Ersin Yazici said local authorities had taken all necessary measures to prevent the fire spreading to residential areas. Kemer State Hospital was evacuated as a precautionary measure and six people were hospitalized due to smoke inhalation, local authorities said.

Persons: Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Ersin Yazici, Burcu Karakas, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Turkish, Antalya, Hospital, Thomson Locations: ISTANBUL, Kemer, Antalya, Algeria, Rhodes

☆ In Elections, Spain Is Going to Be Absolutely Fine - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Omar G. Encarnación | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Vox’s bombastic rhetoric and toxic policies pose a serious threat to Spanish democracy — but not as existential a threat as many presume it to be. Vox’s emergence — however eye-catching — did not signal any significant shift for the Spanish right and politics in Spain. Contrary to common wisdom, the far right did not disappear with Franco’s death. Lately, encouraged by the surge of right-wing, populist parties all over the world, Spain’s far right decided that it is safe to come out of hiding. Yet Spanish democracy, served by steady leadership, social and economic advances and a lively multiparty political culture, has held firm.

Persons: Vox, —, Manuel Fraga, Franco, Mariano Rajoy Organizations: Spanish, Popular Party, Alianza Popular Locations: Spanish, Spain, Europe, House’s, Catalonia, Basque, Madrid

☆ 'I was the tourism minister with zero tourists,' says Sandiaga Uno on his appointment
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via Email'I was the tourism minister with zero tourists,' says Sandiaga Uno on his appointmentSandiaga Uno, Indonesia's minister of tourism and creative economy, shares with CNBC's Christine Tan on how he navigated the country's tourism industry through the pandemic.

Persons: Sandiaga Uno, CNBC's Christine Tan

"I was a little hesitant coming as a American, like 'Oh my god my government did really bad things here. Tourists "are messengers who tell these states that Iraq has returned to being a safe country and is not a red line as some say. 'DO NOT TRAVEL'The U.S. and European countries still warn against any travel to Iraq due to security concerns. The U.S. State Department website says: "Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest". Few of the ancient ruins that dot the country have signs describing their significance, nor accredited tour guides.

Persons: Anna Nikolaevna, Jacob Nemec, Imam Ali, Alaa, Marjani, Jacob Nemec's, Nemec, Ahmed Fakak Al, Badrani, Al, General Abdel, Karim Sudani, Ali Hilal, Hilal, Timour Azhari, Maher Nazeh, Ahmed Saeed, Khalid al, Ros Russell Organizations: REUTERS, Islamic, Tourism, Reuters, Foreign, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Russian, American, Najaf, Iraq, Marjani BAGHDAD, Reno , Nevada, Iran, U.S, Baghdad, Europe, United States, British, Babylon, Mosul, West, Al Qaeda, Islamic State, Ali, Canada, Babil, Mousily

☆ Indonesia's Bali considers banning mountain climbing following spate of bad tourist behavior
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Dubbed the “island of the Gods,” Bali is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, regularly ranking high on global travel polls. The new rules will apply to Bali’s 22 mountains, which have now been closed indefinitely for climbers. Mountains and volcanoes are popular among many visitors who flock to Bali to enjoy its beaches, jungles and rice paddy fields. Guides and local agencies told CNN that it was still business as usual but heavily lamented the ban. “Bali is only starting to bounce back from the pandemic, now is not a good time to be choosing which tourists we want.

Persons: CNN —, ” Wayan Koster, ”, Wayan Koster, Batur, Che, Mount Agung, “, Sandiaga Uno, it’s, Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun Organizations: CNN, CNN — Bali’s, Foreigners, Police Locations: Bali, Indonesia, Mount Agung, Bali’s, Russian, Seminyak, Mount, Jakarta

☆ An airline tried to charge a couple almost $100 to bring 2 small pastries on a plane, sparking fury among lawmakers, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ryanair reportedly tried to charge two passengers almost $100 to bring two small pastries onboard. Ryanair reportedly tried to charge a couple almost $100 to bring two small pastries onboard, saying the food exceeded their baggage limit. Negueruela called the airline and the country's local pastry-makers association to a meeting to discuss the incident, according to the Guardian. The news outlet reported that Negueruela said the meeting was called to "defend local produce and avoid any kind of discrimination." Under the airline's rules, only priority passengers can bring a small bag and larger cabin bags on board.

Persons: Iago Negueruela, Negueruela, Ensaïmadas Organizations: Ryanair, Guardian, ., Morning, Palma de Mallorca, The Locations: Spanish, Palma de, Mallorca, Balearic, Spain, Ireland

☆ Pent-up demand promises record tourist season for southern Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Giselda Vagnoni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

What's more, there appears to be growing demand for the luxury end of the spectrum. Portugal registered more than 2.8 million of foreign visitors from January to March, the best first quarter on record, according to official data. Airlines such as Lufthansa, easyJet and Ryanair have confirmed robust summer bookings while Ryanair, in anticipation of strong demand, has just ordered 150 new 737 Max-10s and optioned another 150. Italian travel and tourism company Alpitour forecasts turnover 30% higher this year. "We already see a very strong demand to book Christmas holidays in 2023.

☆ Tunisia synagogue attack toll up to 6, local media says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Tarek Amara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Members of the security forces stand near the entrance of Ghriba synagogue, following an attack, in Djerba, Tunisia May 10, 2023. REUTERS/StringerTUNIS, May 10 (Reuters) - A Tunisian security officer who was wounded in Tuesday's shooting attack outside a synagogue on the Tunisian island of Djerba has died, hospital sources said, bringing the death toll to six including the shooter. Israel's Foreign Ministry described the attack as a "lethal shooting incident", with a spokesperson saying it was still under investigation. The United States and France said Tunisian security forces had responded quickly. The pilgrimage has had tight security since al Qaeda militants attacked the synagogue in 2002 with a truck bomb, killing 21 Western tourists.

DAKAR, May 8 (Reuters) - The presidential bid of a popular Senegalese opposition politician was thrown into doubt on Monday after a court of appeal handed him a heavier suspended sentence in a libel case, triggering a small protest in Dakar that riot police quelled with tear gas. But Monday's appeal hearing extended the suspended sentence to six months, said lawyer Boubacar Cissé, who represents the minister. "If this sentence is final, there is a good chance that his candidacy will be inadmissible," Diaw said. He has six days to file an appeal with the Supreme Court. Aside from the latest ruling, Sonko is also charged with raping a beauty salon employee in 2021 and making deaths threats against her.

☆ Canada opens formal investigation into Imperial's oil sands tailings leak
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CALGARY, Alberta, May 4 (Reuters) - Canada's federal environment ministry on Thursday opened a formal investigation into a months-long tailings leak at Imperial Oil's (IMO.TO) Kearl oil sands mine in northern Alberta, signalling a potential prosecution. Tailings, a toxic mining by-product containing water, silt, residual bitumen and metals, have been seeping from Imperial's site since last May, angering local Indigenous communities who hunt and fish on the lands downstream from Canada's oil sands mines. The company first discovered discolored water on its Kearl site in May 2022 and informed the AER and some local Indigenous communities, but failed to update those communities when testing showed the water contained tailings. Canada's Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault, one of only two Liberals lawmakers in Alberta, said the Kearl leak and poor communication was "simply unacceptable". "It's unjust for Indigenous communities that are living downstream to have questions about their drinking water table and the health of the natural environment."

"We are now aiming to regain the tourism income from (Gulf Cooperation Council countries) to Syria. Some Arab states, including GCC members the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, are increasingly rebuilding ties with Damascus, reversing years of isolation over Assad's crackdown on protests in 2011 and the ensuing civil war. Machfej said Syria had 1.5 million visitors last year, a third of which were tourists. Tourism ministry data shows 385,000 visitors came to Syria in the first quarter this year, 40,000 of which were non-Arab foreigners. Gulf states along with Egypt, Iraq and Jordan have been discussing Syria's possible return to the Arab League, but no agreement has been reached.

☆ Venus the Influencer? An Italian Tourism Campaign Prompts Backlash.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Elisabetta Povoledo | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“Venus is back as an allegory of rebirth and renewal,” read a blurb on the company’s website. But some critics complained that turning the Renaissance icon into a modern-day influencer played into old stereotypes about Italy. (The campaign featured Venus as a hip fashionista, snapping selfies in Venice’s St. Mark’s Square, munching on pizza on Lake Como and posing in front of the Colosseum with a bicycle.) Undaunted by the criticism, Daniela Santanchè, the tourism minister, said she stood by the campaign, which officially begins in May. The German version has been taken down.

☆ Italian tourism video ridiculed for using footage of Slovenia
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Rome CNN —Italy’s tourism ministry is facing ridicule after an official video to attract tourists to Italy used footage of people in Slovenia drinking Slovenian wine. Art historian Tomaso Montanari called the advertising campaign “grotesque” and an “obscene” waste of money, while the video was lampooned by users of Italian social media platforms. Oops – wrong countryThe most controversial footage shows a group of young people smiling on a sunlit patio drinking wine in what is presented as a typical Italian scene. The Armando Testa communications group was not immediately available to comment. Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche, a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party, called critics of the video “snobs” and said the depiction of Venus as an influencer was aimed at attracting young people.

☆ Official promo video for Italy tourism features Slovenia
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ROME, April 25 (Reuters) - Italy's tourism ministry has faced ridicule after an official video to attract tourists to Italy used footage of people in Slovenia drinking Slovenian wine. Art historian Tomaso Montanari called the advertising campaign "grotesque", and an "obscene" waste of money, while the video was lampooned by users of Italian social media platforms. The most controversial footage shows a group of young people smiling on a sunlit patio drinking wine in what is presented as a typical Italian scene. The Armando Testa communications group was not immediately available to comment. Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche, a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy party, called critics of the video "snobs" and said the depiction of Venus as an influencer was aimed at attracting young people.

Saatcioglu, the coordinator of Limak International Hotels & Resorts, is one of many in hospitality expecting to see Turkey's economically vital tourism sector recover from a quake that dragged down bookings and hotel stays. The quake has caused tourists to think twice before booking a trip to Turkey, a major Mediterranean holiday destination. "After months of excellent performance, when the country was leading the travel recovery in Europe (after the COVID pandemic), international tourism to Turkey is clearly taking a nosedive," he told Reuters. Despite strong bookings recently across the travel sector in Europe as a whole, Turkey has not been able to regain momentum. On the back of these auspicious March figures, the Turkish government expects to generate $56 billion in tourism revenues this year.

MEXICO CITY, April 13 (Reuters) - The airport operating business in Mexico is thriving as traffic surges due to multinational companies bringing overseas operations closer to home and growth at Mexican airlines, according to the head of GAP, which operates 12 airports in the country. Manufacturing hubs such as Guadalajara have seen record traffic growth due to the relocation trend, called nearshoring, CEO Raul Revuelta told Reuters in an interview late Wednesday. "But it's also Mexican airlines, VivaAerobus, Volaris, Aeromexico, expanding their fleets, which allows them to open new routes and move more passengers." The downgrade has prevented Mexican airlines from opening new routes to the United States, limiting expansion plans. The passage of a proposed aviation reform by Mexico's Congress will be an important step, he added.

☆ Senegal's opposition leader handed light sentence
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsSenegal's opposition leader handed light sentencePostedSenegal's leading opposition politician and presidential aspirant Ousmane Sonko on Thursday received a two-month suspended prison sentence for libel in a case involving the tourism minister, the minister's lawyer El Hadji Diouf said. Alice Rizzo has more.

Shops and banks closed early on Wednesday as the West African nation braced for fresh protests over a court case that has fuelled tension and violence ahead of presidential elections next year. Violence broke out on the day of Sonko's last court appearance on March 16, as police fired tear gas at supporters accompanying his motorcade to the courthouse. Sonko has called for more nationwide protests on Wednesday, Thursday and April 3. Police fired several rounds of tear gas and stun grenades forcing mostly student protesters to retreat into the campus from where they hurled rocks. He is also on trial for allegedly raping a beauty salon employee in 2021 and making death threats against her.

[1/7] Security forces clash with supporters of Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko ahead of their leader's court appearance for a libel case against him in Dakar, Senegal March 16, 2023. Thursday's clashes began when supporters of presidential hopeful Ousmane Sonko were blocked from accompanying his motorcade to a courthouse where he faces trial for libel. Protests have taken place for three days ahead of Sonko's court appearance. Sonko supporters accuse Sall of seeking to eliminate him from the competition with a guilty verdict. The libel case was brought by Senegal's tourism minister who said Sonko had accused him of embezzlement.

☆ Indonesia's Bali wants to tighten visa requirements for Russian tourists
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Tourists enjoy the sunset at Canggu beach amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Bali, Indonesia, December 2, 2021. REUTERS/Johannes P. ChristoJAKARTA, March 13 (Reuters) - Authorities in Indonesia's popular holiday island of Bali have asked the central immigration agency to cancel a visa-on-arrival policy for Russian and Ukrainian nationals after tourists were found working illegally. Russian nationals are among the biggest groups of foreign arrivals in Indonesia, according to official tourism data. At least four Russian citizens were deported this month for visa violations and immigration authorities have repeatedly warned foreigners in Bali against working on tourist visas. About 8,800 Ukrainian visitors arrived between September 2022 and January 2023.

☆ India, Australia aim to boost critical mineral trade in broader deal - ministers
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW DELHI, March 11 (Reuters) - India and Australia aim to expand trade in critical mineral to help them achieve their goals on reducing carbon emissions, as they seek a broad trade pact, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said Saturday. "India is short of critical minerals. Critical minerals, along with space technology and opportunities in the digital sector, will be key areas of the planned deal, Farrell said. India and Australia hope to complete by year's end an ambitious, comprehensive trade deal that has been stuck in negotiations for over a decade. It would expand on a free trade deal the two signed last year, the first between India and a developed country in a decade.

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