Top Destination News From August

Catch Up on the Latest Destination Developments
August saw a lot of changes and new developments in destinations across the globe. From New Zealand reopening and launching its first global campaign since 2019 and destinations like Mexico and Antigua and Barbuda reporting record numbers of travelers to more destinations focusing on sustainability, August was certainly not a sleepy month in destination news. Click through this slideshow to read the biggest destination headlines from the past month and don’t forget to click the links provided in each slide for more details. Don’t want to miss a beat? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.

New Zealand Fully Reopens to International Tourism
On August 1, New Zealand completely reopened to international tourism, a big step forward for the island nation which was one of the strictest in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mexico Surpasses Pre-Pandemic International Flight Arrival Numbers
The Mexican Secretary of Tourism reported a recording-breaking number of arriving tourists to the country between January and June, 1.5 percent greater in number than the same time in 2019. The country welcomed 10.2 million travelers.

Sustainable Minnesota: A Land of Natural Wonder
Curious about the destinations in the United States that are becoming more sustainable? Check out Minnesota, which offers a plethora of outdoor and nature-focused activities while growing its sustainable travel and accommodation options.

International Travel Remains a High-Priority
Travel technology company Amadeus found that international travel remains a higher priority for 42 percent of respondents around the world, higher than other spending items such as fashion, eating out or making home improvements.

Rapa Nui Reopens to Travelers
As of August 5, the Chilean island of Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, reopened to travelers for the first time in nearly 900 days. Travelers should be aware that they must first satisfy Chile’s entry requirements ahead of traveling to Rapa Nui, which requires a stricter set of protocols to be followed.

Worldwide Luxury Tourism Industry Expected to Reach $82 Billion by 2030
A new report by Global Market Insights Inc. found that the global luxury tourism industry is expected to value $82 billion by 2030.

Hong Kong to Ease Quarantine Restrictions for Travelers
Hong Kong is looking to ease quarantine restrictions for international travelers. Instead of a seven-day quarantine upon arrival in a hotel, travelers would be required to quarantine for three days in a quarantine hotel and then do four days of home medical surveillance.

US Virgin Islands to Create New Territorial Parks System
Earlier in August, the US Virgin Islands announced the creation of the Territorial Park System, which currently protects over 30 areas from commercial development. The aim is to preserve the areas for tourism recreation, and the properties include beaches, natural preserves and more.

US Stands Out as Top International Destination Among Mexican Travelers
According to a new report, Mexican travelers find the United States as the top international destination for them to visit this year. The other two destinations that follow closely in popularity are Canada and Spain.

St Barts Eases COVID-19 Travel Requirements
As of August 1, the island of St. Barts removed all of its COVID-19 entry requirements.

Destinations International Unveils Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Tool
Destination organizations or convention and visitors bureaus now have a new tool to help them assess how they can improve their diversity, equity and inclusion. Destinations International has created a unique assessment tool to help them.

Curacao Summer Visitor Totals Exceeding Pre-Pandemic Levels
Curacao is reporting about 10,000 more arrivals during the first seven months of the year than it did in 2019, showing a strong recovery. It welcomed 275,799 overnight, land-based visitors from January to July.

Ecotourism on the Rise in Latin America
Curious about ecotourism in Latin America? A new feature explains the region’s growth in ecotourism opportunities and how the region is poised to make ecotourism a major component of its travel and tourism industry.

St. Kitts and Nevis Eliminates COVID-19 Entry Requirements
St. Kitts and Nevis ended all COVID-19-related entry requirements in August. Travelers only need to complete an online Embarkation-Disembarkation (ED) card as an additional requirement for ordinary entry.

New Zealand Launches First Global Campaign After Pandemic
Following the nation’s reopening to international travel, New Zealand launched a new global campaign to help bring travelers back to the country. Called “If You Seek,” the campaign features several commercials focusing on New Zealand’s culture and transformational travel offerings to encourage responsible travel.

Chile Amends Entry Requirements Beginning September 1
Chile announced earlier in August that beginning September 1, travelers will no longer be required to fill out the country’s “Travel Affidavit” or complete a Mobility Pass to enter attractions or venues. Fully vaccinated travelers are no longer required to present a negative test result to enter Chile, either.

Tiny Dominica Taking Big Steps to Increase Visitor Arrivals
Learn about how Dominica is positioning itself as a destination to watch in both cruising and leisure travel in an exclusive interview with the Discover Dominica Authority’s CEO Colin Piper.

Bermuda Eases Entry Requirements, COVID-19 Protocols
Beginning August 22, unvaccinated travelers will be able to enter Bermuda. They’ll have to present a negative pre-departure test and test again upon arrival at the airport or four days later.

Cayman Islands Lifts Remaining COVID-Related Travel Restrictions
Beginning August 22, the Cayman Islands no longer require any pandemic-related entry requirements for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

Cancun Eliminates Mandatory Customs Forms for Arriving Tourists
Travelers coming into Cancun from the United States no longer need to fill out the mandatory customs forms, a decision that should speed up the customs process at the airport significantly.

What’s New in Montréal?
Curious to learn more about Montreal as a destination? The French-speaking Canadian city was the host for the 2023 Virtuoso Symposium and has several new developments this year.

Thailand Extends Visa Exemption to Revitalize Tourism Industry
Thailand announced it was extending its visa exemption program from 30 days to 45 days in an effort to continue its recovery of the travel industry, which is a major economic industry in the country. Travelers can now visit Thailand for up to 45 days visa-free between October and March 2023.

Tenerife, Spain Announces Three Major US Travel Partnerships
Tenerife in the Canary Islands announced three major partnerships with U.S.-based travel organizations, including USTOA, ATTA and Signature Travel Network to enhance U.S. traveler interest in the island destination.

Antigua and Barbuda Reports Summer Visitor Surge
Antigua and Barbuda reported a 6.6 percent increase in visitor arrivals in July, 2022 over the same month in 2019, a striking figure that shows how the islands are recovering quickly after the pandemic.

The Latest on Tourism in the British Virgin Islands
Catch up on the latest happenings in the British Virgin Islands in this exclusive with British Islands Director of Tourism Clive McCoy.

The Latest Figures for Mexico’s Tourism Industry
Mexico’s tourism industry provided another update on its travel and tourism, including an update on employment within the industry and tourist numbers.

Brand USA, Discover Puerto Rico Partner to Drive Post-Outbreak International Travel
Learn more about a partnership between Discover Puerto Rico and Brand USA to help facilitate the island’s economic recovery in an exclusive with CEO of Brand USA Chris Thompson and Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico’s Lodging Revenue Tops $1 Billion
Discover Puerto Rico released new data about its economic recovery, reporting its lodging industry to have created $1 billion in revenue during the first seven months of the year; compared with last year, it reached the number a full three months early, suggesting the island’s industry is recovering well.