Gulf Tourism Integration: Qatar Tourism chief Saad bin Ali Al Kharji urged GCC countries to move from cooperation to a more integrated, competitive tourism push—highlighting joint packages, the unified GCC tourism visa, and bigger promotional campaigns, with Doha’s 2026 “Capital of Gulf Tourism” nod as a catalyst. Japan Travel Advisory Update: Japan downgraded its travel advisory for Israel to “Level 2” (from “Level 3”) after talks between foreign ministers, with the change not applying to the Gaza Strip or the Israel-Lebanon border area. UK Tourist Tax Backlash: England’s mayors could get power to impose an uncapped overnight visitor levy from 2028, sparking warnings from hospitality and tourism groups that it could hit jobs and raise holiday costs. Vietnam Tourism Strategy: Vietnam aims for 50 million foreign tourists by 2030, shifting focus toward higher-spending visitors, longer stays, and growth in cultural, marine/island, wellness, and culinary tourism. Cruise & Culture Notes: Carnival passengers visiting Lifou, New Caledonia were told to dress modestly in public; meanwhile, Dubrovnik hosted a smart-tourism sustainability dialogue with European cities. On-the-ground Travel: Lake Habbaniyah tourism in Iraq is ticking up as water releases raise levels, while Nelson Mandela Bay in South Africa is preparing for the 2026 Lifesaving World Championships with a reported R350m tourism injection.