by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:00 AM ET, Sun June 28, 2026
There’s been a lot of news about destinations from the United States to Japan this past June, like fears about the FIFA World Cup’s economic impact not living up to predictions, or Dominica’s status as one of the fastest-growing tourism economies in the Caribbean.
That’s why we curated the most important headlines and condensed their stories here for you to read. Check them out below, and if you’re curious to read more, the links are provided for you to read the full stories.
Travel Advisories
The United States State Department recently updated its level 2 travel advisory for Mexico ahead of the kickoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico, as a host city, is welcoming travelers from all over the world during the event. The State Department encourages Americans to reconsider traveling to Guadalajara, one of the host cities. Learn why here.
Sargassum
Swaths of sargassum seaweed are choking coastlines in U.S. communities, particularly in Florida, Puerto Rico and the USVI. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/sborisov)
Sargassum, a brown algae that grows prolifically in the warm waters of the Caribbean, has been enjoying a banner year of growth and beaching events, from Florida to Mexico. Scientists at the University of South Florida, who monitor the algae via satellite, are predicting a new record year for the algae.
Sustainable Tourism and Visa Changes
Aerial view of Mahahual, Quintana Roo, Mexico. (Photo Credit: Esteban Dupinet/Adobe)
Mahahual, Mexico, located along the Caribbean Sea, is where Royal Caribbean planned to build a massive private cruise destination for guests before the Mexican government intervened and rejected the plan.
Just after the plan’s rejection, the Mexican government announced that the destination, located along the world’s second-largest barrier reef system, has been granted protected status. Only ecotourism projects will be allowed to be developed there.
For the first time in nearly 50 years, Japan has increased the price of its tourism visas. Americans and other foreigners heading to Japan will now have to pay just under $100 for a single-entry visa, representing a fivefold increase in price.
Destination Growth & Tourism Data
Elephants walk under Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya's Amboseli National Park. (Photo Credit: Gunter / Adobe Stock)
We’ve learned a lot about destinations from Dominica to Kenya this month, with new research shedding light on tourism economics, growth and challenges.
The Caribbean island of Dominica is growing in popularity this year, so much so that it’s become one of the fastest-growing tourism economies in the region. Visitor arrivals increased 15% in 2025, with cruising increasing 23% from the prior cruise season.
New data from the World Travel & Tourism Council found that China’s rapidly growing tourism economy could one day outpace and outperform the United States’ economy, which is currently the world’s largest tourism market.
In an exclusive interview with TravelPulse, Sherif Fathi Attia, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism & Antiquities, explains the country’s recent challenges with nearby conflict, recent travel triumphs and why he’s still optimistic for the future of Egypt’s tourism.
A new research report conducted by TravelPulse’s sister company, Phocuswright, found that ever-popular Italy is enjoying quite a bit of economic success, with its tourism market reaching a record $34 billion in gross bookings in 2025, a 4.5% increase, as international visitation hit record levels.
The Institute for Economics & Peace revealed its 2026 Global Peace Index, highlighting the world’s safest countries and destinations. As global peace wanes to a historic low, due to the war in the Middle East, the fragmentation of traditional European unity and technological revolution in warfare, the safest countries include Iceland, New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia, Ireland and more.
New data from the WTTC found that Kenya is a major driver for Africa’s growing tourism economy, outpacing global tourism growth and generating just under 10% of the country’s GDP. Learn more about what the research says here.
US Travel Industry & FIFA World Cup
Los Angeles will host eight World Cup matches in 2026. (Photo Credit: Adobe/dima)
It’s pretty fair to say that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is on the world’s mind. We curated an ultimate travel guide for those looking to participate in the global action, featuring host city-specific information and guidance that you can enjoy here.
While the World Cup is an exciting global event, there are signs that it isn’t performing as well as it could or as past World Cups have, especially in the United States. High costs driven by dynamic pricing and stricter entry rules, along with fears among international visitors, have caused hotel metrics and bookings to dip below expected levels, with hotels in destinations like New York City reporting they’ve had to reduce projected room revenue by as much as 60% for the event.
Hotels in some World Cup host cities are reporting at least a 13% drop in bookings compared to last year, and FIFA’s projected $80 billion global impact is being questioned as the cup continues to excite viewers.
AAA Travel’s newest summer data found that a record number of Americans are expected to travel for Independence Day, which is also considered America’s 250th anniversary of independence. An estimated 72.2 million Americans will travel over 50 miles away from their homes, with 61.4 million traveling by car, nearly the same number as last year.
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