A look back at information and other announcements that have affected the world of tourism and travel in recent days. A selection – completely subjective – of the main ones in this area…
1 – Seasonal rental quotas on the Ile de Ré
Municipalities are now increasingly responding to the growing number of seasonal rentals emerging on their territory. To the extent that what prevents many locals from finding year-round accommodation is beginning to be regulated. It will soon be the same on Ile de Ré with the introduction of a quota that will be effective from January 1ahem June 2025. By this date, furnished tourist accommodation must have a permit issued by the municipalities in which they are located. The same municipalities that were previously allocated the maximum number of permitted seasonal apartments in their district, above which they will no longer be able to issue new permits. Ultimately, Ile de Ré should therefore not offer more than 2,780 furnished tourist accommodations on its territory, compared to today’s 4,600.
2 – Abu Dhabi also focuses on tourism
It could be a reaction to Dubai, Qatar and even Saudi Arabia, which no longer swear by tourism because of its “oil”, but the fact is that the emirate of Abu Dhabi also intends to intensify its efforts to double its place in terms of tourism in the region. That’s why a new development plan aimed at almost doubling the number of visitors by 2030 has just been launched; from 24 million to almost 40 million. And as is the case in the region, dollars should flow freely into new hotel and accommodation projects, places for leisure and visits, transport and road infrastructure, etc., etc. In addition, to facilitate the arrival of people, the simplification of entry formalities for certain nationalities .
3 – Holidays in Greece will soon become more expensive
The price of admission to the Athenian Acropolis doubled and soon tripled. From €10 we went from the beginning of April to €20 and in April 2025 it will cost €30. The only consolation: people under the age of 18 or citizens of the European Union under the age of 25 will still be able to visit these places for free. But that is not all. Because beyond the Acropolis, the prices of all 350 archaeological sites and museums in the country will increase to varying degrees depending on their “tourist interest”. Enough to potentially limit the number of visitors and in some way combat the over tourism that La Grève experiences in certain places.
4 – These Spaniards are “fighting” against excessive tourism
In Barcelona, it was the local authorities that decided to act and remove the bus route (towards Parc Guëll) from Google Maps so that tourists could no longer find it on their smartphones. And in the Canary Islands, a collective of residents have decided to potentially go on hunger strike to oppose the construction of two hotel complexes on the island of Tenerife.
5 – Overtourism, yes, but not everywhere
It is clear that this will be the theme of the decade in the tourism sector in France and elsewhere. Overturism would be everywhere. Yes and no, because if we look at the scale of France, 80% of tourism is concentrated in 20% of the French territory with these unmissable places that are Paris, Mont Saint-Michel, some castles on the Loire or natural sites. such as the Calanques, the cliffs of Etretat, etc., which attract millions of visitors, while other places in the country are little visited, if not almost deserted, even during the holidays.
6 – Faster ferry between Guadeloupe and its neighbors soon
Since 1987, L’Express des Îles has been a true local institution connecting several islands of Guadeloupe. “Internally” with connections to Les Saintes and Marie-Galante, but also internationally. There are connections between Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique and Saint Lucia. And before long, a new, faster, modern and comfortable ship (including an effective stabilization system against waves) with a capacity of 428 passengers and more vehicles will be offered to the public.
7 – The famous Victoria Falls lacks water
It is not the first time that the news has been announced by the local authorities, but it is true that it has been repeated for some time. The famous Victoria Falls is reportedly running out of water due to global warming and a lack of rain in recent months in southern Africa. As a result, its level would become rather worrisome, or even very worrisome, as we are currently at less than 75% of last year’s volumes at the same time. The consequence: less danger to fish and food for the population living there and along the Zambezi River, which is supposed to feed the falls. But also a risk in terms of energy for both countries concerned due to hydroelectric dams that are in danger of no longer being adequately supplied by the river on which they were built.
8 – New designation for tourism in France
This is the latest designation related to tourism in France. “Destination of excellence” thus highlights “a high level of welcome and service quality, as well as a high level of requirements in terms of sustainable development and environmental protection”. Administered by Atout France, the award, renewable every five years, rewards those involved in accommodation, catering, places of visit and leisure, tourist offices and everything related to transport.
9 – And the best airport in the world for 2024 is… Doha
For 2024, we take the same ones and start again. Because lately it has been either one or the other between the airports in Doha and Singapore, and even systematically for ten years. Because if Singapore’s Changi Airport was voted the best airport in the world in 2023, after Doha in 2022 and 2021, which succeeded again in 2020 as the winner of Singapore, etc., then for this year it is Qatar’s airport that wins once again. the Top 100 ranking for “the best airports in the world”.
10 – Atlanta’s airport remains the world’s busiest in 2023
Still at the top of the list of the busiest airports on the planet, American airports still dominate. If Atlanta is the unbeaten number one with 104.6 million passengers for 2023, there are also four other US platforms in the Top10 (and Roissy at 12Thursday position).
> And for more details or more travel information, go to our “News from the World” page.