The first month of 2025 saw quite a lot of news impacting destinations around the world, from a new list of the world’s most endangered monuments to tourism growth reported worldwide.
To start, we reported on some interesting new lists, including the safest places to travel in 2025—which includes Iceland, Ireland and New Zealand.
Yosemite, Mount Rainier and Bryce Canyon national parks were reported among some of the most accessible for travelers with disabilities this year.
Curious about the best destinations for adventure travel? We reported on the new Adventure Travel Trade Association’s Adventure Tourism Development Index, which identified the best among developed and emerging economies. Some notables include Germany, France, Costa Rica and Chile.
The World Monuments Fund also published their list of endangered monuments and sites this year: facing devastation from war, underfunding, overtourism and climate change, these places hold tangible historical, cultural and religious importance and are most at-risk. One such endangered monument is the Teacher’s House in Kyiv, the site of Ukrainian independence in the early 20th century.
We also reported on some of the top emerging destinations we expect to get some extra time in the spotlight this year: check out our list of ten and compare them with your own!
Traveler entering the European Union. (Photo Credit: Adobe/mirsad)
Entry fees, requirements and passport rules are changing this year, so let’s get into it!
The European Union and the United Kingdom are both requiring new electronic entry systems, so we published a helpful guide to inform and direct travelers on what they need to do.
In good news, travelers transiting through the United Kingdom heading elsewhere will no longer need to pay an entry fee. However, those heading to the UK could see their entry fee price increase as much as 60 percent in the future. Edinburgh also became the first in the UK to tax travelers on overnight stays in the city.
Additionally, remote workers can now apply to become a digital nomad and live in Taiwan for six months at a time with a new program that began in January.
Curious about the strength of your American passport compared to other nations’ passports? The definitive list for the year ranks American passports ninth globally, with its status falling. Passport power goes to Singapore, Japan and many countries within the European Union.
The marina in Alicante, Spain. (Photo Credit: Leonid Andronov / AdobeStock)
Alicante, Spain became the latest destination in Spain to limit or ban short-term vacation rentals in the nation, which is struggling with a housing crisis among residents.
Spain is also considering taxing non-EU travelers 100 percent when they purchase a home in Spain in an effort to curb non-residents from purchasing property for tourist purposes. Check out our short guide on what travelers should know if they’re planning to visit Spain this year.
In addition, Bali is ending a plan that would have banned new hotel construction in the popular Indonesian resort area. It’s seen as a rollback of a measure that could have helped with the region’s overtourism problems.
The Old Town of Trogir, Croatia. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Cheryl Ramalho)
January was a big month for destinations reporting on their 2024 tourism growth, many of which claimed record visitor totals and spending.
Which countries hit tourism records in 2024? The list is longer than you’d expect: in the Caribbean, the US Virgin Islands, Curaçao, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, Dominica and Jamaica all reported successes and milestones. The Cayman Islands also reported visitor growth above 2023 levels, despite waning cruise tourism and weather-related challenges.
In other parts of the globe, Spain, Brazil and the Austrian city of Vienna all posted record visitor totals. Croatia recently shared a plan to prioritize sustainable travel after achieving its own records in 2024, including over 21 million visitors.
The wildfires in California continue to burn down homes, schools, places of work and tourist attractions. We acknowledge the devastating impact this is having on Los Angeles-area residents and its tourism industry.
Visit California’s President and CEO, Caroline Beteta, issued a statement encouraging travelers to visit the region following the end of the fires to help the region recover.
“We are immensely thankful for the first responders that have been working tirelessly and are truly moved by the outpouring of support seen throughout this tragedy,” she said. “From Angelenos volunteering their time and local restaurants opening their doors with free meals to the state’s tourism industry organizing donations and hotel discounts for evacuees. When the going gets tough, Californians rally together. Now we’re counting on you.”
“Los Angeles has always been a beacon to the world – a place where dreams are born and stories unfold from the silver screen to iconic landmarks. Now this resilient city needs your help in its recovery story,” Beteta continued. “One of the best ways to support the comeback of Los Angeles is to plan a trip. Impacted communities and businesses need the tourism economy to keep doors open and to support the many residents whose lives and livelihoods have been affected. Fortunately, more than 98 percent of Los Angeles County was not in a burn area.”
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