The Top Destination Travel News From September

From destinations creating plans to tackle overtourism to important information on new electronic customs forms, September saw a fair bit of news impacting destinations. Click through the slideshow to learn more, and don't forget to register for the TravelPulse newsletter so you don't miss a beat!

At the beginning of September, the Hawai'i Tourism Authority approved a $2.6-million campaign with an aim at drawing travelers back to traveling responsibly in Maui as a way to encourage the island's recovery following West Maui's devastating wildfire.

As tourist-heavy destinations across Italy are pushing back against overtourism, one lesser-known province is hoping to encourage more travelers to spend their time and money there instead. Vicenza is known for both its UNESCO World Heritage status as well as being the site of the "real" Romeo and Juliet story.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex became a Certified Autism Center through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards' program, which offers detailed information and resources for neurodivergent individuals and those with sensory disorders.

Fake websites have been charging travelers to enter Jamaica following the implementation of the island's new online customs entry form. The real site, EnterJamaica.com, is always free to use.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization recently welcomed a new secretary general and CEO, Dona Regis-Prosper. Learn what she identifies as the biggest challenges the Caribbean faces.  

This September, Florence is working towards banning new vacation rentals like Airbnbs and Vrbos, a move which, if approved, will take place in November. This decision has a few big reasons: the lack of apartments for residents is driving up rent, the UNESCO-designated area has a large proportion of rentals to apartments, and this is one way to curb overtourism.

Ever wonder if the resort luau that is a ubiquitous experience for nearly every traveler to Hawai'i is authentic? In this deep dive into native Hawaiian culture, TravelPulse delineates the parts of Hawaiian culture that has existed before colonization — and what came after.

This September, Hawai'i Governor Josh Green announced that as of October 8, the towns of Kā‘anapali, Nāpili, Honokōwai, and Kapalua in West Maui will be reopening, and he's encouraging travelers to spend their money there in support of their recovery.

Barbados is expected to see an influx in travelers from the United States this winter. The reasons? New flight connectivity and expanded cruise opportunities.

Following Japan's more recent reopening (it hasn't yet been a year) to international tourism following the pandemic, the country is noticing overtourism is on the rise, and in September federal officials have noted that there may need to be more regulations in place in both small towns, which are not equipped to handle large amounts of tourists, as well as in cities like Tokyo, in which reports have noted that tourists have created long lines for public transportation.

In September, Venice tourism officials announced that the tourist hotspot would soon begin trialling the tourist tax that was supposed to be implemented in 2022 but was delayed. Day-trippers to the city will have to pay 5 euro beginning next spring.

South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania are the biggest safari destinations this year, according to data from Squaremouth. They're also growing in popularity as prices for the destinations continue increasing.

A recent interaction shared on social media between a mother grizzly bear, her cubs and a crowd of people getting too close for the dangerous animal's comfort level in September at Yellowstone National Park showcases an increasingly ignorant populace when it comes to encounters with wild animals, prompting a new conversation about the number of rangers at the park and a lack of education amongst visitors.

Iceland's Prime Minister announced plans in September to have visitors entering the country pay a tourist fee to help with maintaining its natural wonders and helping create a circular economy where tourism is concerned, in line with the nation's 2040 climate goals.

Egypt's latest tourism goal is to do double its visitor total by 2028 — to 30 million visitors a year. Egypt is already projecting to welcome 15 million travelers this year, a new record for the country which is quickly becoming a bucket-list destination as more and more river cruise lines are launching Nile cruises.

In late September, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation announced the passing of the former minister of tourism, Obie Wilchcombe, who served twice in the role.