Quezon City, The Philippines | Officially Recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Film

Quezon City, a vibrant centre in the Philippines located on the Guadalupe Plateau, just northeast of Manila, known for its culture, entertainment industry and media, and is apty called the “City of Stars” where broadcasting networks and studios have their headquarters, also renowned for its commerce, education, research, technology, politics, tourism, art and sports has officially been recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Film.

This prestigious title recognizes Quezon City rich cinematic heritage, vibrant film industry, and commitment to developing Filipino stories and filmmakers through initiatives like the QC Screen Academy and QCinema.

This designation, one of the first in Southeast Asia solidifies the city status as the “Heart of Philippine Cinema” , highlighting Quezon City's contributions to Philippine film industry and its efforts to promote creativity, fair labour practices, talent development, cultural innovation, and global visibility for Filipino films.

The inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network of Film cements the the city’s position as the country’s film capital, home to major studios, filmmakers, and cultural institutions.

As a member of the network, Quezon City will strengthen policies for film workers, such as enforcing the Eddie Garcia law to ensure safe working conditions and fair wages and will also expand programs for skills development and international collaboration to support local filmmakers.

The recognition follows Quezon City’s earlier declaration as the “Heart of Philippines Cinema” and its adoption of the theme “QC Film City” for this year’s QCinema International Film Festival.

The Quezon City Film Commission (QCFC), which led the city’s application in 2023, will implement several projects under the new designation, including the QC Screen Academy, a training hub for film professionals; the Global Producers Exchange (GPX), a collaborative platform for producers from Southeast Asia and UNESCO Creative Cities; and the Southeast Asia Film Summit, an annual event for regional policymakers and film industry leaders.

Quezon City's Major Joy Belmonte said the recognition honours the legacy of Filipino artists and filmmakers. QC Film City is now a name that will forever be etched in legacy of every filmmaker, artist, and storyteller who has shaped Quezon City’s vibrant film heritage.

From the golden era Sampaguita Pictures and the brilliance of icon like Lino Brocka, Dolphy, Nora Aunor, and Fernando Poe Jr., to the new generations of creators bringing the local stories to life today, this recognition honours each and every one of them.

The major added that this title is also for the workers behind the screen and Quezon City citizens who deserve access to quality film, celebrating a big achievement in the Philippine' film industry , but the work starts again tomorrow.

QCFC Executive Director Liza Diño said that the achievement reflects the city’s long - term  vision for creative governance. This is not just a recognition of what Quezon City has achieved, it is a call to deepen the commitment to creative governance and cultural sustainability. The local Institutions are ready to take on this responsibility, to open the doors to collaboration, and to continue building a city where stories thrive and creativity empowers every citizen.

This recognition positions Quezon City as a key player in the global film community and joins other cities worldwide recognized by UNESCO as a centre for using creativity as a driver of sustainable development.

Link

https://mb.com.ph/2025/11/02/quezon-city-recognized-as-unesco-creative-city-of-film

London, England, UK | On Track to Implement a New Tourist Tax to Curb Overtourism

London, the UK's capital and largest city is on track to implement a new tourist tax on overnight visitors to hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, and short-term holiday rentals, including those booked through platforms like Airbnb with the aim to curb overtourism.

This new "visitor levy" is part of a plan by the Greater London Authority as a model to give mayors across England the authority to charge such a fee, which could help fund cleaner streets, financing the maintenance of infrastructure, public spaces and improving local services used by millions of visitors each year.

The charge is expected to be small, modest fee per night, though the exact amount and structure (flat fee or percentage) will vary between different locations, and it is also intended to be a move that aligns the UK with practices already common in other European cities like Berlin, Paris, and Rome. 

 The measure will be enabled by the British government through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which will allow the Mayor Sadiq Khan, and other local leaders to apply taxes to hotels, tourist apartments, campsites, caravan parks and Airbnb - type accommodation. This tax would be in addition to the current Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which costs £16.

 In 2024 London recorded 89 million overnight stays, which has intensified the pressure of public transport, urban cleaning and diverse municipal services. With this new tax tool, the British capital could raise up to £240 million a year, resources that would be used to promote tourism, protect heritage, developing cultural activities and improving the visitor experience.

London's Mayor Sadiq Khan defended the measure as a way to redistribute the costs of tourism and prevent residents from unintentionally suffering the consequences of overcrowding, saying the aim to keep London one of the most attractive cities in the world.

London would be the first city in the UK to apply this new tax, expected in spring 2026, after a period a period of consultations and local authorities, and other cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester could follow the same path.

This initiative has generated criticism in the sector. UK Hospitality warned that the new tax could affect the competitiveness of hotels and make domestic holidays more expensive, while international associations, such as Australia's ATIA, warned that London could become less attractive compared to other destinations due to rising costs.

 Link

https://infoturlatam.com/londres-prepara-nuevo-impuesto-para-frenar-el-sobreturismo/