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Cuba’s tourism minister has declared the sector “alive and kicking” even as the island grapples with its deepest economic crisis since the Cold War, a collapse the government insists is being halted with signs of recovery on the horizon. The backdrop is stark: a pandemic that shuttered borders, the continuing impact of harsh U.S. travel policies, and a broader struggle to unlock foreign currency needed to fix aging infrastructure, energy blackouts, and vital public services. The minister, Juan Carlos García Granda, frames tourism as Cuba’s economic locomotive—an assertion he argues remains valid despite daunting headwinds. He points to the second quarter of the current year as a potential inflection point, where he says positive trends should materialize after a brutal 2024.

In Japan’s historic towns and modern metropolises alike, record numbers of visitors have brought a wave of economic energy that many regions once dreamed of. Yet behind the gleaming hotels and souvenir shops, a growing chorus of residents says the surge is eroding daily life, driving up rents, straining public services, and diluting what makes certain places unique. The latest research and frontline reporting suggest that Japan’s tourism boom is a double-edged sword: a boon for growth and employment on one side, and a source of disappointment and frustration for locals on the other. For Thai readers, who routinely weigh travel incentives against cultural and social costs, the Japanese experience offers a clear lesson in balancing welcome with livability.

The Dominican Republic is pivoting toward a bold coastal transformation in Pedernales, home to the Cabo Rojo stretch of beaches that researchers say could redefine Caribbean tourism. Plans for a new international airport, a cruise port, and a cluster of luxury hotels are framed as a landmark shift away from the country’s traditional sun-and-sand hubs. Early discussions among economists and environmental scientists suggest the project could unlock significant local employment and infrastructure gains, while also raising urgent questions about conservation, cultural preservation, and climate resilience. For Thai readers watching how coastlines become engines of growth, the Pedernales case offers both a blueprint and a cautionary tale about the costs and trade-offs of rapid tourism expansion.

As summer ebbs, Turkey’s once-buoyant tourism industry is counting lost rooms, canceled trips, and slipping bookings. A triple whammy is bearing down on the country’s coastal heartland: widespread forest fires along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, a contiguously shaking sequence of earthquakes in the Aegean region, and stubbornly high inflation that erodes holiday budgets. The combination is already translating into a weaker tourist season, threatening the livelihoods of communities that rely on foreign visitors and complicating the government’s broader goal of reviving growth through travel and services.

Santiago de Compostela is experiencing a sharp paradox: a record wave of pilgrims and casual visitors converging on a centuries-old sacred city, even as scraps of everyday life vanish from its historic core. The latest research paints a stark image: last year’s pilgrimage influx reached a record half a million people, a number five times larger than the city’s own resident population. On the ground, that pressure shows up as choked streets, late-night hymns spilling into narrow lanes, and a housing market that has become almost inaccessible for locals. A telling, oft-quoted line from local residents captures the moment: the city has emptied out. Behind that stark assessment lies a web of policy decisions, cultural tensions, and a broader European trend that Thai readers will recognize in cities facing their own tourist-borne pressures.

Albania’s now-famous “hidden gem” allure is being tested by a wave of visitors that crowds places once praised for their quiet charm. In the village of Jale, once a postcard-image of sunlit beaches and unspoiled shorelines, the sense of discovery is giving way to queues, rising prices, and growing concerns about waste and traffic. A new wave of research and on-the-ground reporting suggests that the very appeal that drew travelers to Albania’s lesser-known corners could be at risk if planning, investment, and local voice are not better aligned with the realities of growing tourism.

In several European hotspots, “It’s 365 days a year” has become the new reality for locals who once welcomed visitors with seasonal flair. Protests in cities like Barcelona, Palma, and Venice have sharpened a global debate about overtourism: when the influx of travelers starts to erode daily life, housing markets, and the very character of beloved places. The latest research emerging from university centers and international tourism institutes paints a consistent picture: the crowding is not just a summer issue, and the consequences ripple through neighborhoods, small businesses, and long-term cultural sustainability. For Thai readers, this is less a distant headline and more a cautionary mirror—Thailand’s own destinations are grappling with similar pressures, and the best lessons come from how cities abroad are mapping and managing these challenges.

The latest data visualized by a prominent global publication tell a nuanced story: foreign tourists have not vanished from the United States this year, but their patterns and volumes have shifted in telling ways. A graphic-driven analysis shows that international arrivals to the U.S. have rebounded in 2025 after the pandemic-induced lull, with some months beating pre-pandemic levels, while others lag behind. The takeaway for readers in Thailand and across Asia is not simply “more visitors” or “fewer tourists,” but a complex mosaic of markets, costs, and policies shaping who comes, from where, and when.

Tourism is shifting faster than many expect as geopolitics, currency swings and record heat reshape traveler choices. People are planning more intentionally, seeking value, safety and climate comfort. They are favoring prepaid packages and clear policies to guard against volatile exchange rates. For Thailand, a major recipient of foreign visitors, these trends bring both risk and opportunity. Bangkok and its popular provinces can capitalize on the changing landscape if they adapt quickly.

Global tourism is changing faster than many industry players expected as three powerful forces — geopolitical tensions, currency movements and record-breaking heat — increasingly shape where people go, how they book and what they expect when they arrive. New reporting shows travellers are becoming more intentional, favouring destinations that offer value, safety and climate comfort, while using financial strategies such as prepaid packages to insulate themselves from volatile exchange rates. For Thailand, a destination that relies heavily on foreign visitors, these shifts bring both risk and opportunity: they could dampen arrivals from some markets even as they open doors to others if Bangkok and provincial destinations adapt quickly.

How the world’s most-visited country avoids resident backlash while breaking tourism records

While Spanish cities erupted in anti-tourist protests and Italian destinations buckled under visitor pressure in 2024, France quietly welcomed a record-breaking 100 million international visitors without triggering widespread social unrest. This remarkable achievement offers crucial insights for Thailand’s tourism industry as the kingdom seeks to balance economic growth with community well-being and environmental protection.

The French Formula: Dispersion, Domestic Travel, and Smart Management

France’s success stems from a carefully orchestrated strategy that prevents tourist saturation from reaching what researchers call the social “tipping point” — the moment when local tolerance collapses into active resistance. According to tourism analysts at Euronews and industry data from Atout France, this approach has three pillars that Thailand can adapt to its own unique context.

A new look at France’s tourism management offers practical guidance for Thailand as it balances growth with community well-being and environmental protection.

France avoided resident backlash and still posted record visitor numbers in 2024. Analysts say three core pillars kept demand from tipping into social resistance: geographic dispersion, a strong domestic travel market, and smart management of attractions. Thailand can adapt these lessons to fit its own unique landscape and cultural context.

France’s tourism numbers rebounded to new highs in 2024 without sparking the large-scale resident protests seen in parts of Spain and Italy, and researchers say a mix of dispersion, domestic travel and targeted management has kept pressure below a social “tipping point.” The findings are important for destinations wrestling with crowding because they show how policy, marketing and infrastructure can reduce hotspots even while overall visitor numbers rise. ( Euronews: Why France’s strategy is working in the age of overtourism )

Chongqing, a sprawling metropolis in southwestern China famously dubbed the “cyberpunk city,” is witnessing a tourism renaissance as its futuristic architecture, dramatic landscapes and viral online presence propel it onto the global stage. Once bypassed in favor of more established Chinese destinations, Chongqing has rapidly become a must-see city for international visitors, with inbound tourism figures smashing records and transforming the local economy.

For many international travelers, images and videos of Chongqing circulating on social media platforms have sparked curiosity about its labyrinthine streets, multilevel skyscrapers, and dazzling neon nightscapes. According to a recent CNN report, the city is so vertically layered and intertwined that one visiting vlogger described it as “peering into the future,” while others have called it “China’s 8D city” in reference to its multidimensional urban design. This renaissance is not merely of viral interest—official statistics reveal real and sustained momentum: Chongqing received 1.3 million inbound tourists in 2024, representing a staggering year-on-year increase of 184%. In early 2025, inbound foreign arrivals through city ports spiked another 60%, cementing the city’s newfound global appeal.

A visually striking Chinese city has emerged as a top global urban destination, drawing travelers with its vertical skylines, innovative transport networks, and luminous nightscapes. Once relatively obscure internationally, Chongqing now captivates audiences through strategic social media storytelling, turning architectural marvels and futuristic urban design into powerful attractions. This transformation offers valuable insights for Thailand’s tourism development, showing how authentic city character, digital engagement, and thoughtful planning can create sustainable growth.

A visually stunning Chinese metropolis embodying futuristic science fiction aesthetics has dramatically emerged as the world’s most sought-after urban tourism destination, attracting unprecedented numbers of international visitors eager to experience Chongqing’s breathtaking vertical architecture, innovative transportation networks, and luminous cyberpunk landscapes that fundamentally challenge traditional concepts of city tourism and destination marketing. This southwestern Chinese megacity has achieved remarkable transformation from relative international obscurity to viral global fame through strategically amplified social media content showcasing its architectural marvels and urban innovations, generating an extraordinary one hundred eighty-four percent surge in foreign visitor arrivals that has revolutionized local economic opportunities while establishing groundbreaking models for authentic urban character combined with digital storytelling. The Chongqing phenomenon provides invaluable strategic insights for Thailand’s tourism development initiatives, as destination management professionals worldwide analyze how genuine cultural authenticity, innovative urban planning, and sophisticated social media engagement create sustainable competitive advantages that attract discerning travelers seeking meaningful experiences beyond conventional tourist attractions.

A major reform in China’s VAT refund system promises faster cashbacks for international visitors. Starting July 1, 2025, eligible tourists can receive VAT refunds instantly at participating stores or designated counters, reducing the need for airport queues. The move aims to rejuvenate China’s tourism sector and spur retail spending after recent challenges.

For Thai travelers, the change could significantly affect shopping plans. Instant refunds at the point of sale are common in top destinations such as Japan, Australia, and parts of the European Union, but China’s expansion marks a notable upgrade. The program will cover major cities including Shanghai and Beijing initially, with expansion to Dalian and Hubei province announced for July 2025. Dozens more duty-free shops, shopping centers, and airports nationwide are expected to join over time.

Mongolia is rising on travellers’ lists as a destination of vast grasslands, nomadic traditions, and pristine nature. Travel advisers cited by a recent business and travel feature note that Mongolia offers a rare offbeat experience for those eager to immerse themselves in authentic culture and dramatic landscapes. The appeal is especially strong for Thai travelers seeking meaningful, sustainable travel.

Historically overlooked next to its more popular neighbors, Mongolia now earns praise from international tour operators as a unique destination. The country, known as The Land of the Eternal Blue Sky, boasts hundreds of sunny days each year, sweeping steppes, and centuries-old nomadic life that has endured amid modern pressures. For visitors, this creates a striking contrast to crowded, fast‑changing urban hubs elsewhere in Asia.

Tourists seeking an experience beyond the ordinary are increasingly looking to Mongolia, where vast steppes, nomadic traditions, and untouched nature offer a unique journey unlike anywhere else in Asia. According to travel advisers highlighted in a recent Business Insider article, Mongolia’s tourism is gaining attention as a rare destination for those eager to wander off the beaten path and engage deeply with authentic local culture and dramatic landscapes. This trend holds special appeal for adventurous Thai travellers and those in search of meaningful, sustainable tourism.

The global sports tourism industry is enjoying unprecedented growth, drawing ever-larger crowds and delivering impressive economic returns—a wave Thailand is determined to ride with its new ‘Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025’ campaign. As fresh research and sector analysis unveil new market trends and visitor expectations, Thailand is positioning itself as a regional leader in attracting sports-minded travelers, blending world-class events with rich local culture and hospitality.

Sports tourism—a travel segment centered on either attending or participating in sporting events—has become one of the most dynamic drivers in the broader tourism market. In 2023 alone, sports tourism generated an estimated $564.7 billion globally, and forecasts predict this figure will more than double, reaching $1.33 trillion by 2032, outpacing growth rates in traditional leisure tourism. Reports from leading travel and research organizations, including Research and Markets and Marriott Bonvoy, reveal that approximately 10% of all global tourism can now be traced to sporting events, fan pilgrimages, and sports-related activities (ConsumerAffairs).

A global surge in sports tourism is reshaping how travelers explore the world, and Thailand aims to lead the regional charge with the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025. Fresh market insights show that visitors increasingly seek sport-focused experiences, blending competitive events with culture, wellness, and authentic local hospitality.

Sports tourism covers both attending and participating in sports. Global estimates show a multi-trillion-dollar impact, with forecasts suggesting continued rapid growth well beyond traditional leisure travel. Industry analyses place roughly one in ten international trips within the realm of sports events, fan pilgrimages, and related activities. This momentum is fueling competition among destinations to host major tournaments, festivals, and adventure experiences—from city centers to smaller towns.