Roundup

In the May 2026 press review overview for the week starting June 1, 2026:

Global tourism continues to grow despite geopolitical tensions

Bali: the “taxi war” makes life harder for tourists

Egypt: tourism keeps advancing strongly in 2026

Madrid bets on tourism intelligence to manage its growth

United States: international flight prices are starting to come down

Cuba: major Spanish hotel groups retreat under American pressure

Tokyo: Shibuya now fines for street littering

A new 1,300 km railway line will connect Germany to the Ukrainian border

Hotels see an edge over booking platforms thanks to AI

Oddity! Off to “hell”: the 666 bus to Hel makes a grand return to Poland

International travel grew by 2% in the first quarter of 2026, totaling around 307 million travelers worldwide, according to UNWTO.

Although the year began with solid momentum, the conflict in the Middle East slowed growth in March, triggering flight disruptions, higher oil prices and increased transport costs.

Europe and Africa posted the strongest results, while the Middle East saw a steep drop in arrivals (-14%).

Facing geopolitical uncertainty and rising travel costs, experts suggest tourists may favor closer destinations and seek better value for money. Despite these challenges, the industry continues to show global resilience.

Read more on untourism.int

In Bali, a long-standing conflict pits ride-hailing drivers using apps like Grab against the banjar, village councils that regulate traditional taxi activity. As a result, in some areas, VTC drivers refuse to pick up customers for fear of intimidation or assault.

Tourists are left with no option but to use local taxis, which are often much more expensive, with fares set by the banjar. According to the South China Morning Post, a large portion of the fare goes to these village councils. This situation also reflects growing economic tensions on the island as tourism slows in 2026.

More to read on the South China Morning Post site

Egypt welcomed 6.1 million tourists from January to April 2026, a 7% increase compared with the same period in 2025.

The country’s success is partly explained by the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the appeal of the Red Sea coastal resorts, and prices deemed competitive by international travelers.

Backed by substantial international promotion, Egypt now targets an ambitious goal: to reach 30 million visitors per year by 2030.

An article from traveldailynews.com

The Spanish groups Meliá and Iberostar have announced the closure of a large portion of their hotel activities in Cuba, in response to the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.

This withdrawal comes amid a grave tourism crisis in Cuba. The country recorded nearly a 56% drop in tourist arrivals at the start of 2026, while several airlines have reduced or suspended flights to the island.

An article from euronews.com

The Shibuya ward, at the heart of Tokyo, has begun imposing fines on people who discard waste in public spaces. Since June 1, 2026, offenders face a 2,000-yen fine (about $12.50) as part of a campaign to curb illegal dumping.

Authorities say the problem has worsened with rising tourist numbers and street-level consumption around Shibuya’s busy railway hubs. Around fifty officers will patrol to issue fines. Meanwhile, take-away food and beverage shops must now provide trash bins for customers.

Read on nhk.or.jp

The Czech company Leo Express will launch on June 25, 2026 a new direct rail link of more than 1,300 kilometers, one of the longest in Europe.

The train will connect the Polish city of Przemyśl, near the Ukrainian border, with Frankfurt and its airport, passing through Krakow, Prague, Dresden and Leipzig.

This daily line aims to strengthen links between Western and Eastern Europe while facilitating access to Ukraine.

Passengers will have on board Wi‑Fi, power outlets, air conditioning and dining services on this nearly 19‑hour night ride.

An article from euronews.com

At the IHIF hotel conference in New York, several analysts highlighted that hotel groups could leverage artificial intelligence more effectively than online travel agencies (OTAs).

According to Barclays, hotels enjoy a major advantage thanks to their loyalty programs, their customer data, and the strength of their brands — areas where AI could boost personalization and customer relations.

Even though excitement around AI remains measured in the hotel industry, professionals already see significant potential to improve operational efficiency and commercial performance. Analysts, however, caution that the real impact of AI on traveler spending and the hotel sector is still in its early stages.

A Skift.com briefing

Good news for travelers who enjoy dark humor and unusual selfies: the legendary bus route 666 to the seaside town of Hel, Poland returns this summer thanks to FlixBus. This link of more than 1,300 km will connect Krakow to the Hel Peninsula on the Baltic coast, passing through Warsaw and several popular vacation stops.

Known for years as “the bus to hell” due to the wordplay between Hel and hell, the route had become a real tourist and social media magnet.

Discontinued in 2023 after religious protests, bus 666 is revived today with an explicit wink from FlixBus, which bets on humor as much as on the appeal of this highly popular summer destination.

Read on euronews.com