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US imposes ‘visa integrity fee’: India, China, Mexico most affected; experts warn of tourism decline

The United States’ decision to introduce a new $250 “visa integrity fee” has sparked concerns across the global travel industry, which is already struggling with declining arrivals amid President Donald Trump’s tough immigration policies and strained foreign relations.According to US government data, overseas travel to the US dropped 3.1% year-on-year in July, with only 19.2…

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Saudi Arabia introduces Tourism and Hospitality as core subject for grade 12 students | World News

As part of education reforms, Grade 12 students will study Tourism and Hospitality alongside new subjects like AI, Cybersecurity, and First Aid/ Image: SPA In a significant update to Saudi Arabia’s education system, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tourism have jointly introduced Tourism and Hospitality as a new subject for third-grade secondary…

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Kuwait launches national tourism portal ‘Visit Kuwait’: All-in-one hub for e-visas, culture and travel | World News

Kuwait launched the Visit Kuwait platform in August 2025/Representative Image TL;DR: Kuwait launched the Visit Kuwait platform in August 2025 as a unified national digital portal to promote tourism, cultural heritage, and travel convenience as part of its Vision 2035 strategy. The initiative integrates services like an upgraded e-Visa system, event listings, site recommendations, and…

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UAE: Dubai closes in on top-three global tourism rank with 9.88 million visitors in first half of 2025 | World News

Dubai welcomed 9.88 million international visitors in the first half of 2025/Image: Pexels TL;DR: Dubai welcomed 9.88 million international visitors in the first half of 2025, a 6% increase over H1 2024. The surge is anchored in air connectivity, strong hotel performance, global business and leisure events, and recognitions like Certified Autism Destination™ status. Strategic…

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UAE: Ras Al Khaimah sees 654,000 visitors as tourism sector records best-ever H1, revenue up 9% | World News

RAKTDA reports strongest-ever first half tourism results of 654,000 arrivals/Image: Shutterstock TL;DR: 654,000 visitors arrived in Ras Al Khaimah during H1 2025, a record high, up 6% year-on-year, with tourism revenues rising 9%. MICE and wedding tourism exploded by 36%, fueled by global events and destination weddings. Growth was driven by new direct flights (to…

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China’s tourism revival: Visa-free entry to over 70 countries fuels foreign arrivals; travel firms report booming post-Covid recovery

This is an AI-generated image, used for representational purposes only. China has significantly expanded its visa-free entry policy, allowing citizens from 74 countries to visit for up to 30 days without a visa. The move, aimed at reviving inbound tourism and stimulating the economy, has led to a sharp rise in foreign arrivals. Since late…

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‘Mexico for Mexicans’: Hundreds protest against mass tourism; tourists harassed, windows smashed

Demonstrators hold posters that read in Spanish ¨Here we speak Spanish, Real Estate Regulation Now¨, during the protest (AP image) Hundreds of people marched in Mexico City on Friday to protest the influx of foreign visitors, especially Americans. They blamed them for rising rents that are pushing locals out of their neighbourhoods and forcing them…

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Long-awaited unified GCC tourism visa coming soon, confirms GCC Secretary General | World News

The GCC Grand Tours Visa, approved in November 2023, will soon allow visitors to travel across all six member states with a single application.(Representative Image) The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will soon launch a unified tourism visa that allows travelers to visit all six member states with a single application. The announcement was made on…

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