Eurostar, Heatwave, ETIAS… The Week’s Essential Tourism News [ABO]


La revue de presse internationale de la semaine - Depositphotos.com Auteur serezniy

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Au sommaire de la revue de presse de la semaine du 13 juillet 2026 :

Eurostar adapts its future trains to extreme heatwaves

In Italy, the tourism sector calls for tougher rules against fake reviews

An NGO advocates for a fairer tax regime for cruises in Europe

Hotel guest satisfaction is rising in North America

In Spain, heatwaves are undermining the loyalty of international tourists



Five trends reshaping the employment market in events

Sports tourism is emerging as the new engine of holidays

ETIAS launch postponed to 2027?

Did you know? Summer scams are targeting travelers more and more



Eurostar adapts its future trains to extreme heatwaves


Les futurs trains Eurostar seront capables d'opérer par des températures atteignant 55 °C.@depositphotos/packshot

In response to the intensification of heat waves across Europe, Eurostar has revised the specifications for its upcoming two-level train fleet, dubbed “Celestia.”

Initially designed to operate up to 45 °C, the new trains will ultimately be equipped with air conditioning capable of functioning at temperatures reaching 55 °C.

Expected from 2031, they are intended to remain in service until the 2060s. An investment of 2 billion euros is earmarked to modernize the fleet, increase capacity by 20%, and better prepare the rail network for the challenges of climate change.

A DailyMail.com article


In Italy, the tourism sector calls for tougher rules against fake reviews


En Italie, les organisations du tourisme italien veulent renforcer la lutte contre les faux avis en ligne un @depositphotos/NiroDesign

The main Italian tourism organizations deem the guidelines proposed by the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) to combat online fake reviews to be insufficient.

They call for identical rules across all platforms, a complete ban on paid or incentivized reviews, greater transparency about ranking algorithms, and stronger controls against fraud.

According to them, online reviews directly impact the reputation and activity of tourism businesses, justifying a stricter regulatory framework to ensure fair competition and better consumer protection.

An article to be found on ttgitalia.com


An NGO advocates for a fairer tax regime for cruises in Europe


Selon une étude de Transport & Environment (T&E), les croisières bénéficient d'un régime fiscal plus avantageux que les hôtels. @depositphotos/IgorVetushko

According to a study by Transport & Environment (T&E), cruises enjoy a more favorable tax regime: a night onboard is taxed on average twice as little as a night in a hotel, despite a significant environmental impact.

The NGO notably proposes a €15 per passenger per port of call tax, which could generate €335 million per year in France, Spain, and Italy.

It also calls to align cruise VAT with hotel VAT and to strengthen environmental rules to better account for the costs associated with pollution and overtourism.

More at transportenvironment.org


In Spain, heat waves undermine the loyalty of international tourists


Five trends reshaping the employment market in events


L'expérience terrain est désormais plus valorisée que les diplômes dans l’événementiel. @depositphotos/ANDRANIK2017

Despite a challenging job market, event recruiters are now prioritizing specialized profiles capable of demonstrating concrete results and return on investment.

Hands-on experience is now valued more than degrees, even if certifications remain a salary asset.

Another takeaway: companies are rethinking their skill needs and are increasingly turning to freelancers and contract workers rather than permanent hires.

More on skift.com


Sports tourism is emerging as the new engine of holidays


Randonnée, surf, vélo, stages multisports ou bien-être deviennent des critères déterminants dans le choix des destinations. @depositphotos/ArturVerkhovetskiy

According to an analysis by Le Figaro, vacations centered on rest are gradually giving way to active getaways. Hiking, surfing, cycling, multisport camps or wellness programs are becoming decisive criteria in destination choice, driven by the search for convivial experiences and more immersive tourism.

This trend, particularly pronounced in summer 2026, pushes travel players to develop offerings ever more focused on sports activities and nature-based experiences.

Read on lefigaro.fr


ETIAS system launch postponed to 2027?


L'entrée en vigueur de l'ETIAS devrait être reportée à 2027. @depositphotos/Triumph0828

The implementation of ETIAS, the future €20 paid travel authorization for nationals of visa-exempt countries looking to travel to the Schengen area, is expected to be postponed to 2027.

This new timeline would be linked to difficulties encountered in deploying the biometric control system EES, essential for ETIAS to operate. Transport and tourism stakeholders welcome the delay, saying it will help avoid new disruptions at European airports, while the European Commission has not yet officially announced a new launch date.

An article from thetimes.com


Did you know? Summer scams are targeting travelers more and more


Les touristes, sont la cible d’arnaques au faux QR codes. @depositphotos/ArtVibe

Holidays are a prime time for scammers. This summer, travelers should especially beware of “quishing,” a scam using fake QR codes, as well as fake SMS requesting toll payments in transit or fraudulent listings of vacation rentals.

Before booking or paying for a service, it is essential to verify the authenticity of sites, never click on suspicious links, and favor official platforms. A few simple precautions can prevent vacations from turning into a nightmare.

An article from liberation.fr

Amara Nambinga

Amara Nambinga

I write about tourism, culture, and emerging destinations with a Namibian perspective. Through my articles, I try to highlight the places, people, and travel stories that show how Africa and the wider world are changing.