Panama | Integrating Culture and Natural Heritage into a Tourism Model for a Sustainable Future

Panama is actively working to integrate its rich culture and natural heritage into a tourism model for a sustainable future, with the aim to benefit both local communities and the environment.

A key aspect of this strategy involves empowering local communities  through tourism initiatives, an approach which seeks to ensure that tourism development preserves cultural traditions and biodiversity while also providing opportunities for residents.

ATP, the Tourism Authority of Panama and MiCultura, the Ministry of Culture signed a Framework Agreement for cooperation in Tourism and Culture focuses to promote sustainable cultural tourism, preserve heritage and strengthen Panamanian communities.

The agreement based on articulate efforts seeks to develop and promote cultural activities in tourist destinations that will be promoted at national and international events with the objective to enrich the tourist offer supported by the cultural richness Panama boasts.

A technical commission and strategic plans will guide the implementation of the agreement and the participation of the territories will be fundamental wth culture that will be positioned as an engine of development and employment.

The plan establishes technical and administrative coordination mechanism to implement joint programs and projects and active social participation will be encouraged. Communities will play a key role in this process to improve the appeal of tourist destinations and this will ensure a positive and sustainable impact on the Panamanian territories.

By prioritizing community involvement, cultural preservation, and environmental protection, Panama is working to establish a tourism model that is both economically viable and socially responsible.

The agreement includes technical assistance and training for municipalities that will enhance local cultural management and will be able to optimize their resources to highlight their heritage.

Support will be given to the improvement of the urban image in tourist areas that reflects the cultural identity of the country, actions that will benefit both visitors and residents.

These efforts will align with the uipdate of the ATP Tourism Master Plan that will ensure a coherent and effective strategy with cultural tourism as a pillar of national development.

The General Addministrator of ATP, Gloria De León Zubieta, highlighted the importance of connecting with the Panamanian identity stating that the country is a living history that is felt in its streets and festivals and the union of culture and tourism creates transformative experiences that make the country proud.

The Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, stressed that the agreement marks a new model of collaboration. Joint projects will be promoted to strengthen the cultural offer and the benefits will reach the communities directly.

With this agreement, Panama reaffirms its commitment to tourism that celebrates its identity, enhancing communities and projects their cultural soul to the country committed to a sustainable and authentic model providing Panama a promising future. 

Link 
https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/variedades/panama-fusiona-cultura-y-turismo-para-un-futuro-sostenible-1250403

Greece | Started to Charge a New Cruise Passenger Tax for Visiting Two of its Most Popular Islands

Greece started to charge a new cruise passenger tax for visiting two of its most popular islands such as Mykonos and Santorini, a move began on 1st July following an initiative by the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vasilis Kikilias which comes as Greece continues to attract millions of cruise visitors each year higlighting the problems linked to that phenomen called overtourism.

The country is grappling with the challenges of overtourism, particularly in popular destinations. The influx of tourists, especially during peak seasons, has led to strains on local resources, infrastructure, and housing contributing to rising costs and impacting the quality of life for residents.

While tourism is vital to the Greek economy, there is a growing recognition of the need to manage visitor numbers and mitigate the negative consequences.

Popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos face shortages of water and other essential resources due to the high number of tourists, especially during peak season.

As part of a law passed in 2024, the charge of €20 per passenger per visit will be applied to the two famous Hellenic islands during the peak summer season, from 1st June to 30 September. This fee drops to €12 during the shoulder season in April, May and October and to €4 during the winter months of November through March.

In other cruise destinations across Greece, charges will range from €1 to €5 per passenger, depending on the time of the year.

The cruise tax applied per visit and per person varies by destination and season, aims to tackle overtourism and support local infrastructure development and passengers. 

According to Greek news outlet iEidiseis, details about how the tax will be collected and which authority will oversee enforcement have yet to be finalised.

Revenue from the tax is expected to reach between €50 million and €100 million annually and the funds will be distributed between local municipalities and the Ministeries of Shipping and Tourism.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsokakis said that Greece does not have a structural overtourism Problem. Some of its destinations have a significant issue during certain weeks or months of the year, which the country needs to deal with.

Link
https://www.travelweekly-asia.com/Cruise-Travel/Greece-starts-charging-cruise-taxes-from-July

Japan | Considering Implementing Mandatory Health Insurance for International Visitors

Japan is considering implementing mandatory health insurance for international visitors, with the aim of reducing the financial burden on Japanese taxpayers due to unpaid medical debts from tourists comimg from abroad after a proposal of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare according to Kyodo News. 

The Japanese government is concerned about the growing unpaid medical bills for tourists, which has led to consider this measure as a way tyo protect the country's health system.

It is hoped that by requiring health insurance, visitors will be covered for their medical expenses during their stays, thus preventing the cost from falling on Japanese taxpayers. 

Although there is no confirmed date for implementation, the measure is expected to be implemented in the second half of 2025 or 2026, according to some sources.

In addition, the ministry intends to work with the Immigration Services Agency to share information or tourists with outstanding medical debts, enabling stricter screening at entry points. 

International visitors with unpaid medical bills may face consequences such as being stopped from leaving the country or detained upon re - entry.

The South China Morning Post reported that a nationwide survey conducted by the health ministry in September 2024 found that 11.372 international tourists had received medical treatment in Japan. Of these, 0.8% did not settle their bills, leaving a total of approximately 61.35 million yen, about $425.000. 

Similar insurance requirements for incoming travellers are already in place in other countries such as Cuba, Jordan, Nepal and Qatar. 

Further details including the implementation timeline and enforcement measures, are expected to be announced by the Japanese government in due course.

Link
https://www.travelweekly-asia.com/Destination-Travel/Japan-may-implement-another-big-travel-rule-soon

Ecuador | Designated as Wanderlust 2025 Destination of the Year

Ecuador, a South American country on the northwestern coast of the continent, straddling the Equator, well known for its unique biodiversity, relevant cultural and historical heritage since it was incorporated in the iconic Inca Empire during the 15th century, boasting a rich, diverse landscape encompassing the Andean highlands, Amazon jungle, and the wildlife - stunning Galápagos Islands was designated as Wanderlust 2025 destination of the year.

This award marks a milestone in the country's international projection as a site of high tourist interest with the Ecuadorian government actively working on strategies to revitalize the tourism sector with various initiatives, including promoting ecotourism, infrastructure improvements and attracting digital nomads.

This recognition comes from the hand of a publication in Wanderlust, an independent, leading and global travel magazine headquartered in London, England, UK which has a print circulation of close to 77.000 copies per edition and more than 345.000 readers combined between digital and prints formats, in more than 70 countries around the world,  including three of the main markets prioritized for Ecuador : Canada, Great Britain and the United States of America.

Ecuador's win in 2025 was based on public votes and expert assessments that praised the South American country's rich biodiversity, indigenous heritage, and world – class ecotourism initiatives.

This prestigious award also recognizes Ecuador's diverse landscapes, including the Andes, Pacific coast, and Galápagos Islands, offering a variety of travel experiences, a designation which highlights the Latin American country as a top destination for immersive and sustainable adventures.

In addition to the designation as Destination of Year, there are initiatives of great promotional value, including the publication of a 160 - page bookzine on Ecuador, aimed at the European market, and the creation of an exclusive microsite within the Wanderlust digital portal.

The Minister of Tourism of Ecuador, Mateo Estrellas, explained that Wanderlust has been able to connect with a trype of travellers who values authenticity, connection with nature and transformative experiences.

Ecuador with its biodiversity, cultural richness, its unique heritage and the warmth of its people, is the ideal destination for those who are looking for much more than a place to visit: they are looking for a place to feel, to discover themselves and to learn.

The Minister assured that these contents will be strategic tools that will allow everyone to take the image of the country even further, with narrative, photography and experiences that reflect the essence of Ecuador.

Undesecretary of Promotion for Ecuador, Santiago Granda, expressing his enthusiasm for the award, thanked the media for sharing positive news stating that it's time to walk together towards a positioning of the country at the national and international with many riches to offer.

Editor - in - chief of Wanderlust, George Kipouros, pointed out that it is the first time that Ecuador has been designated as destination of the year since the creation of the publication in 1994 and that it was precisely the country that with its diversity inspired the creation of the travel magazine, as a means of promoting the destinations of the world.

Wanderlust Editor stated that Ecuador is a welcoming and safe country to visit and this is the best time to visit the country.

Ecuador rise to the top global travel lists and shining in the international tourism landscape is not an accident. Nowadays this small.megadiverse country offers an incomparable mix of culture, nature and history all within reach thanks to short travel distances and modern infrastructure offering unique and authentic experiences for every type of visitor.

Link 
https://www.turismo.gob.ec/ecuador-fue-designado-como-destino-del-ano-wanderlust-2025/

Poland | New Overnight Train between Warsaw and Croatia's Adriatic Coast Launched

Poland's state rail operator PKP Intercity, the subsidiary of the PKP Group responsible for long - distance rail passenger transport in the country, operating around 350 trains daily, connecting large agglomerations and smaller towns nationwide has launched a direct overnight train service linking the capital of the country, Warsaw to Rijeka, Croatian port city on Kvarner Bay in northern Adriatic coast,  known as gateway top Croatia's islands, marking a more than significant step forward in seasonal rail tourism.

The new Adriatic Express connects the capital of Poland with the third - largest city in Croatia, located in Primorje Gorski Kotar County in just under 19 hours for the 1.200 kilometres - long rail route running four times a week, travelling from Warsaw Central through five countries such as Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia and it has a total of 39 stops.

The train stops among others in Katowice, Poland, Ostrava, Czech Republic, Vienna and Graz, Austria, Ljubljana, Slovenia and Opatija, Croatia to finally reach Rijeka.

The Adriatic Express boasts a total of 172 seats, 132 in second class and 40 in couchettes and the service is among the longest cross - boarder train routes in Europe.

The launch of this special train caters to strong tourism demand. According to the Travel Croatia portal in 2024 over 1.2 million Poles visited Croatia, and the route is expected not only bolster Polish tourists to Croatia but also encouraging Croatian travellers to reach and explore Poland.

Following the inauguration, initial interest has been strong and PKP Intercity reported that booking reached over 90% of the available seats for the first journey. The success was even bigger for couchettes entirely sold out.

Discussions about this new rail link started in 2021, but they slowed down due to the Covid - 19 crisis and it gained, however, momentum last May when Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the summer launch of the new Adriatic Express on social media.

 The Adriatic Express departs Warsaw four times weekly at 14:00 and arrives in Rijeka before 09:00 the following morning. Meanwhile, the return service leaves the Croatian city at 19:00 and reaches Warsaw before 14:00 the next day.

One - way fares start at approximately PLN 200, about €50. Days of departure from Warsaw Central are on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

The route will run through the end of the summer holiday season, with the final departure from Warsaw set for 28th August 2025.

Poland's Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak expressed his enthusiasm posting on X a comment saying that this is the beginning of a new chapter for holiday rail travel, this service is a symbol of accessible European holidays, even from smaller towns.

Link 
https://www.travelmole.com/news/overnight-train-poland-croatia/

Panama | Integrating Culture and Natural Heritage into a Tourism Model for a Sustainable Future

Panama is actively working to integrate its rich culture and natural heritage into a tourism model for a sustainable future, with the ai...