Travel expert urges Brits to do this 1 thing now in wake of Trump’s tariffs

Travel

“The new tariffs aren’t directly targeting travel, but there will be knock-on effects,” Robert said. “The tariffs will put pressure on the pound, and that’s going to make holidays abroad a lot more expensive. If you’re planning a holiday this summer, the best time to book is now.”The pound is expected to weaken against other major currencies, meaning Brits could get less for their money when spending abroad.“When the pound drops in value it affects everyone, not just importers,” Robert explained.He added: “And if you are planning to travel in Europe or the US you will start to feel the pinch when you’re booking hotels, eating out or even shopping overseas.”Flights are also expected to rise in price as global oil markets react to ongoing economic uncertainty.“With summer fast approaching, waiting around to book your holiday could see you incur these higher fees that will be passed on to the consumer as airlines will begin to factor oil price increases into their ticket prices,” Robert warned.Even those hoping to save money by staying in the UK could be hit by higher prices.“British holiday businesses rely on imported goods, from food to cleaning supplies and everything else in between,” the expert explained.He added: “When the prices of these items increase it’s likely the costs will be passed on to the customer.”So what should people do?Robert says there’s one clear step Brits should take now to avoid paying more later.“Lock in your pricing to avoid last-minute costs,” he advised. “You need to be proactive because if you wait too long you will need to budget for a different holiday rather than the one you had planned.”He added: “Tariffs are a tax on trade and those costs get passed down to you and me.“The price increases often are gradual too so by the time most people notice it’s too late and the deal you were looking for no longer exists. By booking now, you are saving yourself or your family hundreds of pounds.”

Tourism Manitoba gets $4.5M funding boost to promote province as travel destination

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The Manitoba government is giving Tourism Manitoba an additional $4.5 million to promote the province as a travel destination for locals and Canadian tourists across the country looking for a vacation spot closer to home.  “Manitoba has so much to offer,” says Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy. “I encourage everyone to take the time to discover or rediscover the incredible experiences available right here in our province.”The Monday announcement at Qaumajuq at the Winnipeg Art Gallery comes as some Canadian tourists are looking to avoid travelling south after United States President Donald Trump’s “51st state” comments and fitful tariffs on Canadian goods started earlier this year. In February, when Trump’s tariffs first went into effect, U.S. border data shows the number of Canadians returning to Manitoba from neighbouring North Dakota and Minnesota by car dropped by 18 per cent compared to last year. Border crossings that month reached lows not seen since travel restrictions loosened after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.Slowed cross-border traffic could be a boon for the local tourism economy as Canadians swap U.S. travel plans for staycations and boycott American goods.  Manitoba’s tourism industry contributes $373 million in provincial tax revenues and employs more than 25,000 people, says Travel Manitoba’s president and CEO Colin Ferguson. “We are so pleased that this government recognizes the importance of tourism and the role it plays in our province’s economic well-being,” says Ferguson, adding he thinks the announcement is a great way to kick off National Tourism Week.  He says tourism is a “powerful economic multiplier” that brings in revenue to help fund health care, infrastructure and education. In 2023, 10.4 million visitors spent $1.82 billion dollars in Manitoba, the province said in a press release.Ten per cent of the new funding —- $450,000 —- has been earmarked for Indigenous Tourism Manitoba to promote Indigenous experiences and highlight the more than 170 Indigenous tourism businesses across the province. Indigenous Tourism Manitoba CEO Holly Courchene says the growing industry “continues to be a powerful pathway to reconciliation.” Tourism “offers the potential to change perspectives; preserve culture, languages and traditions; and empower Indigenous communities to lead economic development,” Courchene says. “Manitoba is home to many authentic and meaningful Indigenous experiences and this funding will help us support their growth and showcase them to the world.”Kennedy says the tourism industry is a “cornerstone” of the province’s economy and cultural landscape.  “Tourism is about more than just numbers, it’s about people, places and experiences that make Manitoba unique,” Kennedy says.  “I encourage everyone to take the time to discover or rediscover the incredible experiences available right here in our province.” 

Tourism Manitoba gets $4.5M funding boost to promote province as travel destination

Travel

The Manitoba government is giving Tourism Manitoba an additional $4.5 million to promote the province as a travel destination for locals and Canadian tourists across the country looking for a vacation spot closer to home.  “Manitoba has so much to offer,” says Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy. “I encourage everyone to take the time to discover or rediscover the incredible experiences available right here in our province.”The Monday announcement at Qaumajuq at the Winnipeg Art Gallery comes as some Canadian tourists are looking to avoid travelling south after United States President Donald Trump’s “51st state” comments and fitful tariffs on Canadian goods started earlier this year. In February, when Trump’s tariffs first went into effect, U.S. border data shows the number of Canadians returning to Manitoba from neighbouring North Dakota and Minnesota by car dropped by 18 per cent compared to last year. Border crossings that month reached lows not seen since travel restrictions loosened after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.Slowed cross-border traffic could be a boon for the local tourism economy as Canadians swap U.S. travel plans for staycations and boycott American goods.  Manitoba’s tourism industry contributes $373 million in provincial tax revenues and employs more than 25,000 people, says Travel Manitoba’s president and CEO Colin Ferguson. “We are so pleased that this government recognizes the importance of tourism and the role it plays in our province’s economic well-being,” says Ferguson, adding he thinks the announcement is a great way to kick off National Tourism Week.  He says tourism is a “powerful economic multiplier” that brings in revenue to help fund health care, infrastructure and education. In 2023, 10.4 million visitors spent $1.82 billion dollars in Manitoba, the province said in a press release.Ten per cent of the new funding —- $450,000 —- has been earmarked for Indigenous Tourism Manitoba to promote Indigenous experiences and highlight the more than 170 Indigenous tourism businesses across the province. Indigenous Tourism Manitoba CEO Holly Courchene says the growing industry “continues to be a powerful pathway to reconciliation.” Tourism “offers the potential to change perspectives; preserve culture, languages and traditions; and empower Indigenous communities to lead economic development,” Courchene says. “Manitoba is home to many authentic and meaningful Indigenous experiences and this funding will help us support their growth and showcase them to the world.”Kennedy says the tourism industry is a “cornerstone” of the province’s economy and cultural landscape.  “Tourism is about more than just numbers, it’s about people, places and experiences that make Manitoba unique,” Kennedy says.  “I encourage everyone to take the time to discover or rediscover the incredible experiences available right here in our province.” 

Georgia’s tourism’s sector – growth, setbacks, and shifting trends

Travel

2024 was a complicated year for the Georgian tourism sector. Political turbulence created significant headwinds, particularly in the fourth quarter, and the drop in European arrivals had a significant negative impact in some quarters. Nevertheless, across the year, according to Galt and Taggart, the sector saw an overall growth in revenues, thanks in part to a new wave of visitors from Asia and the Middle East. This contributed significantly to the country’s 9.4% economic growth. Despite this growth, shifting source markets, regional instability, and concerns about long-term sustainability continue as the sector enters 2025.
In early February, the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA) held a presentation for the tourism and hospitality sector, titled “Tourism Industry Summary and Planned Activities.” At the meeting, industry representatives voiced concerns that tourism statistics do not reflect the current reality, noting that “there is a significant gap between the private sector and the state” when it comes to their understanding of how tourism has been impacted by developments within the country. The discussion touched on key challenges facing the tourism sector, including the cancellation of hotel reservations due to political instability, legislative issues, and other industry-wide concerns.
Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace’s terrace overlooking Tbilisi’s old town. Photo: Sheraton.
General Manager of the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace and Co-Chair of the AmCham Tourism Committee Deborah Sivertsen says that overall, “2024 was a great year for the hotel,” but that a decline in tourism in the fourth quarter — particularly in December — was influenced by several factors.
Global economic uncertainties and fluctuations in travel demand affected visitor numbers across the region, notes Sivertsen. Additionally, seasonality played a role, as December is typically a transitional period with fewer business travelers and shifting leisure travel patterns. “Weather conditions and geopolitical factors may have also contributed to shifts in travel behavior,” she says, echoing others’ sentiments that unusual weather patterns and a lack of snow hit the country’s ski tourism hard, as did ongoing political instability.
General Manager of the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace and Co-Chair of the AmCham Tourism Committee Deborah Sivertsen. Photo: Lana Kokaia
“We started 2024 well and outperformed 2023, but the events [widespread protests around the introduction of foreign influence legislation] in May dealt a major blow to the sector,” says hotelier Shalva Alaverdashvili, who manages seven hotels, six of which are in Tbilisi. “We still had reservations until December 4, but after that date, they were canceled en masse. It was already the low season, yet 70% of existing reservations were still canceled. As a result, central Tbilisi ended December with an average occupancy rate of 20%, compared to 58% last year.”
Owner of Vinotel Hotel Benedikte Kashakashvili says that for his hotel, “2024 was a challenging year, especially toward the end. The unstable situation was further exacerbated by an unusually snowless winter. We faced cancellations from both foreign and local regular customers who were physically unable to travel by any means of transport.”
Tourism revenue
Overall tourism revenue for 2024 reached $4.4 billion, up 7.3% from the year prior, notes a recent report by Galt & Taggart. And while revenue for the sector was also up 10% YoY for the fourth quarter as a whole, it dropped by 10% YoY in December as hotel occupancy rates in Tbilisi also fell significantly.
The report, which tracked tourism trends throughout 2024, notes that the first quarter of 2024 witnessed a 40.9% YoY increase in visitors from the European Union. Ongoing protests and deteriorating relations with the EU throughout the remainder of the year, however, led to a significant decline in visitors from the bloc, who have traditionally been a strong segment of Georgia’s high-value tourism market.
“If you are not enabling the environment, promotion alone doesn’t help. Europeans are not unfamiliar with demonstrations, but when there is negative news in their countries about the current situation in Georgia, this is a significant obstacle for tourism. In a country where their leaders or ambassadors are spoken of negatively, European tourists are less likely to visit,” says Natalia Bakhtadze Engländer, founder of the Georgian Ecotourism Association.
Source: Galt & Taggart
Galt & Taggart’s latest report, published in March, notes that tourism revenue in the first two months of 2025 increased slightly, up 0.7% YoY to $536 million. February, specifically, was flat in annual terms, amounting to $246 million. Yet despite concerns, the report still projects total tourism revenues to reach $4.5 billion in 2025 – a slight increase to the $4.4 billion recorded in 2024.
Source: Galt & Taggart
Shifting source markets
Another notable development within Georgia’s tourism is its shift towards attracting more visitors from the Middle East and Asia, a trend that Galt & Taggart analysts expect could help insulate the industry from its recent downturn in visitors from Europe.
Source: Galt & Taggart
The Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace’s Sivertsen says the hotel has also witnessed this shift within the demographics of its own guests. “Over the past year, we have welcomed an increasing number of guests from the Middle East and Asia. This growth can be attributed to expanded air connectivity, targeted tourism initiatives, and the rising appeal of Georgia as a diverse and welcoming destination for travelers from these regions.” To cater to the preferences of these different guests, she says the Sheraton has enhanced their offerings, including tailored culinary experiences, cultural considerations, and personalized services like the introduction of “a Ramadan Early Breakfast for our guests.”
Source: Galt & Taggart
According to GNTA, a record number of international tourist visits were recorded last year, reaching 5.1 million visits. The increase represents a 9% rise compared to 2023, and a 0.2% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
A significant increase in visits was recorded from Israel – around 311,000, a 43% increase compared to 2023, as well as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Central Asia. Tourism numbers from India and China also grew notably, with around 124,000 (+47% YoY) and 89,000 (+83%) visits, respectively, the administration’s report states.
Expectations for 2025
While TBC Capital analysts forecast that tourism will grow in 2025, they expect it will not be as strong as it would have been without the current political instability. “Internal political tensions have certainly affected the tourism sector. The growth that should have occurred in the tourism sector has slowed. We expect growth in both revenue and the number of tourist visits, but the distribution of markets will change. Asian markets, such as China, India, and others, are likely to become more active,” says Senior Analyst at TBC Capital Irakli Urgebashvili.
The market could also be impacted by the introduction of several airlines launching new routes to the country’s capital. In addition to the announcement in 2024 that Georgia and South Korea were working towards establishing regular direct flights and the opening of mutual visa-free travel between Georgia and China in 2024, British Airways and EasyJet announced they would launch direct flights between Tbilisi and London starting in April 2025. EasyJet will also offer Geneva-Tbilisi and Milan-Tbilisi flights as well. Also among the newest routes set to launch this year are direct flights from Zurich to Tbilisi, operated by Edelweiss Air, and a budget-friendly option to fly direct from Tbilisi to Paris on low-cost carrier Transavia France.
And while hotel managers in Tbilisi expect some fluctuations in the short term, some also remain optimistic about a steady recovery and growth trajectory.
Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace’s Sivertsen acknowledges that while Georgia remains a highly attractive destination for travelers, the political climate can influence tourist sentiment and booking patterns. Periods of uncertainty may lead some travelers to adopt a more cautious approach, resulting in fluctuations in advance bookings and an increase in last-minute travel decisions.

“Early 2025 data indicates promising signs of recovery, with January and February showing gradual improvements in occupancy rates. This upward trend is supported by a resurgence in both business and leisure travel, as well as key industry events and conferences that continue to sustain demand, particularly within the corporate segment,” says Sivertsen.
Vinotel’s Kashakashvili says that the political situation within the country will be a key determinant in attracting guests. “If stability is maintained, even under the current circumstances, we will have a better outlook for the future,” he tells Investor.ge.
Hotel managers emphasize that several key policy and infrastructure changes could also significantly bolster the sector. Increased investment in tourism infrastructure — particularly in transportation and airport facilities — would enhance accessibility and attract more international visitors. Strengthening connectivity, especially with emerging markets, is seen as a crucial step in boosting both leisure and business travel. These efforts, they argue, would not only benefit hotels but also contribute to the broader growth of Georgia’s tourism industry.

Innovation and Authentic Identity at the Core of Peloponnese’s Tourism Strategy

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.essb_links.essb_size_m .essb_link_svg_icon svg{height:18px;width:auto}.essb_links.essb_size_m .essb_icon{width:36px !important;height:36px !important}.essb_links.essb_size_m .essb_icon:before{font-size:18px !important;top:9px !important;left:9px !important}.essb_links.essb_size_m li a .essb_network_name{font-size:13px !important;font-weight:400 !important;line-height:12px !important}Peloponnese Governor Dimitris Ptohos. Photo source: Peloponnese RegionWith a strong message of outward-looking vision, sustainable development, and strategic collaboration, the Governor of the Peloponnese, Dimitris Ptochos, opened the 3rd Messinia Forum during the first week of April, held at the Kalamata Dance Megaron.
In his opening remarks, the Governor set the tone for a new era in the Peloponnese, emphasizing that the future belongs to those who invest in collectivity, innovation, and authenticity.
“The Peloponnese does not need to create an identity—it already has one. What it needs is to structure and present it in a modern and sustainable way,” said governor Ptochos, underscoring the importance of integrating culture, gastronomy, and tourism into a unified, strategically focused narrative.
The forum also featured remarks from Stathis Anastasopoulos, Deputy Regional Governor of Messinia, who contributed to the roundtable “Messinia in Action.”
Peloponnese strategic intiatiatives and a DMMO

Governor Ptochos went on to highlight several strategic initiatives currently being advanced by the Region, including the launch of a new place brand, the establishment of the Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO), and the Regional Observatory for Sustainable Tourism Development.
Other key actions include the creation of the Peloponnese Trail Network, the Peloponnese Festival, and themed cultural and gastronomic routes.
During the main roundtable discussion titled “Messinia 2030: Innovation, Sustainability, and Development in Tourism,”  governor Ptochos stressed the need for improved infrastructure—such as roads, marinas, and tourism services—to support the anticipated increase in arrivals through Kalamata International Airport.
He also outlined the Region’s strategic tourism initiatives abroad, including targeted marketing campaigns, co-branded advertising with airlines, familiarization trips for journalists and travel agents, and the development of new alternative tourism experiences.
“The path to the future and sustainable development is paved with collectivity, creativity, and a steadfast commitment to quality,” Peloponnese governor concluded.
Once again, the Messinia Forum reaffirmed the dynamic role of Messinia and the Peloponnese as a growing center of innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, attracting influential figures from Greece’s business, academic, and institutional sectors.

What kind of welcome will American travelers get in Canada this summer?

Travel

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Increasingly tense relations between the United States and Canada are expected to result in a drop of Canadian visitors to the U.S. this year.What’s less clear: Whether Americans will limit their visits to Canada.Bay Village traveler Dan Davis is worried about an upcoming, long-planned motorcycle tour around Lake Superior this August.He writes, “We are a little concerned about traveling in Canada because of everything that is happening right now between the U.S. and Canada. Have you heard much/anything about U.S. citizens traveling in Canada given the current political/economic climate, and do you think it will be safe for 10 motorcyclists from Ohio to travel in Canada this summer?”It’s a good question, and one that I can’t answer with absolute certainty.Canadians, as anyone who has traveled up north has likely experienced, are some of the most friendly, down-to-earth people on the planet. I can’t imagine that everyday Canadians will take their frustrations with U.S. government policy out on American tourists, who are there to spend money and have a good time.Indeed, I reached out to Destination Ontario, the organization that promotes tourism to the province bordering Ohio’s north shore, and was told that the region would be welcoming to all.“Ontario is dedicated to supporting the tourism sector and welcoming travelers from all over the world, including our neighbors in the United States,” a spokesperson said. “Historically, Ontario welcomes 10 to 13 million U.S. visitors every year, and we look forward to continually welcoming our tourists in the upcoming spring and summer seasons.”A spokesperson for Destination Canada sent along this statement: “Canada has a long-standing reputation as friendly, open and welcoming. Global perception of Canada remains highly positive and we will continue to promote ourselves as an iconic destination, with a view to winning the hearts of even more international travelers in 2025.”In 2024, Americans were the most frequent international travelers to Canada, with 23.4 million visits. Among the top destinations: Niagara Falls, Toronto, the Thousand Islands, Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies.That same year, Canadians made 39 million visits to the United States.Read more: Will the political environment influence your summer travel plans?How many Canadians will stop visiting Ohio over Trump tariff? Tourism leaders concernedThat number of Canadians visiting the U.S. is expected to drop dramatically this year, in response to increasingly tense relations between the two countries, including talk from President Donald Trump about making Canada the 51st state. In February, now-former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canadians to send a message to the United States with their wallets.“Now is also the time to choose Canada,” he said, adding, “It might mean changing your summer vacation plans to stay here in Canada and explore the many national and provincial parks, historical sites and tourist destinations our great country has to offer.”But it’s not just politics that may keep Canadians away. The U.S. dollar remains very strong against the Canadian dollar, which makes traveling to the United States expensive for Canadians. At last check, one U.S. dollar was worth $1.43 in Canadian currency.If it’s expensive for Canadians to come here, the reverse is also true: It’s a great time, economically speaking, to visit our neighbors to the north.My advice to Dan Davis and anyone else pondering a trip up north: Have a great time, enjoy that well-known Canadian hospitality and indulge in lots of economically priced maple pancakes and poutine.