The Top Destination News From August

August saw a wealth of destination news, from a new record-setting National Parks grant to new overtourism measures in places like Venice. Click through the slideshow to get a quick overview of what you should know, and click the links provided in each slide to read the full stories.

Traveler numbers and spending in Hawai'i are down this year, and the state began a campaign in Japan and America's West Coast to try and draw more tourists from both of these regions. The campaign, which is rolled out across varying media channels, is called "The People, The Place, The Hawaiian Islands."

On August 1, the city of Venice, which has been plagued by overtourism for many years, began a new tourist group regulation limiting their size to no more than 25 people. It also restricts the usage of loudspeakers by tour guides. The new regulation is seen as a positive step towards the city's more sustainable handling of its tourism industry.

Santorini, Greece is a popular destination - and the locals would say it's too popular. Residents and local officials of the island, which has a year-round population of only 20,000, are calling to reduce the number of tourists that visit the island each year. It currently welcomes 3.4 million travelers, with 17,000 cruise passengers entering each day during its cruise season.

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority has launched a new program for travel advisors. The St. Kitts Yourway (SKY) Travel Agent Program, which provides booking incentives for advisors, along with discounted rates at participating hotels and resorts along with invitations to on-site inspections and island tours.

On August 9, the once-popular Path of Love in Italy's Cinque Terre region has reopened following a 12-year renovation, which added illumination and hand-rails on the scenic path, which is partly carved from a cliffside overlooking the sea. The Path of Love, known in Italy as the Via dell'Amore, is expected to be incredibly popular with travelers.

An official from UNESCO believes that Spain's protests due to overtourism could spread across Europe as the overoturism problem continues to be felt across borders during a year that has broken tourism number records worldwide. The solution? Local officials and lawmakers changing the focus from promoting tourism growth to making these destinations better places for residents to live.

Have you been wondering about the impact of the Olympics on Paris? We have, too! The official tourist office of Paris released data that showcased the event's impact. The city welcomed 11.2 million people, with Americans, Germans and Brits making up the most of the international tourists. Over a quarter of these travelers were French day-trippers. Paris also saw significant growth of travelers from countries like Brazil and China making their way to watch the Olympics this summer.

North Korea has been self-isolating for four years since the pandemic, disallowing travelers from visiting the country. Yet this August, the country announced that the city of Samyijon will be reopening to international visitors this winter. The city is located near several natural attractions and the Chinese border.

Traverse City, Michigan has become Michigan's first Certified Autism Destination, which is a credential given to destinations by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The city's tourism website offers guides for accessibility of all kinds, including for neurodiverse individuals.

China's tourism economy is experiencing a recovery this year. During the first seven months of the year, China welcomed 17.25 million tourists, which is nearly 130 percent more than in 2023. Tourists also spent $14 billion.

Starting October 1, the government of Sri Lanka will allow travelers from select countries to enter without a tourist visa. These countries include the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Japan, among others.

The National Parks Foundation received its largest grant ever in the history of its organization in August. The $100 million grant given by Lilly Endowment Inc. will help preserve the parks nationwide and increase the visitor experience during a time when overtourism is becoming a critical issue for several of the most popular parks.