Sri Lanka and Viet Nam formally joined the Regional Aviation Safety Data and Information Sharing Initiative on 8 September 2026, bringing participating states to seven. The initiative shares de-identified safety data to identify risks and trends. Over 13,000 safety reports have been pooled, covering January 2023 to April 2026.
The European Commission adopted the Affordable Housing Act on 9 September 2026, creating a legal framework for Member States and cities to address housing pressure. For the first time it sets technical criteria to define areas under housing stress, enabling local authorities to restrict non-primary-residence uses such as short-term rentals and second homes where justified, necessary and proportionate. Decisions remain with national and local authorities. A Recommendation on housing affordability and supply accompanies the Act, covering planning, renovation, repurposing and investment.
The European Commission proposed the Affordable Housing Act to help Member States and cities address housing affordability and availability. It gives public authorities legal certainty to act within EU law, requiring measures such as short-term rental restrictions to be evidence-based, necessary and proportionate. Authorities must show short-term rental activity has had a significant adverse effect on affordability or availability for at least three years and that less restrictive measures would not be equally effective. The Act also covers second homes and prolonged vacancy, and is accompanied by a Recommendation to increase housing supply.
The European Commission has decided to provide Spain with €114.7 million in emergency assistance to help manage the situation in Ceuta, following large-scale illegal border crossings on 30-31 July. This financial support builds on the Commission's immediate response from the first day and enhances operational assistance.
The European Commission proposed a new Public Procurement Act consolidating three existing procurement directives and procurement provisions scattered across sectoral legislation into a single directly applicable regulation, aiming to simplify rules, cut administrative burden and increase legal certainty. EU public procurement spending is about €2.6 trillion a year, around 15% of GDP. The proposal is expected to deliver annual administrative savings of €650 million, including €80 million for public buyers and €570 million for economic operators. The Best Price-Quality Ratio would become the standard award method, with quality criteria weighted at least 30%, or 50% for labour-intensive contr…
The European Commission proposed the European Innovation Act to help Europe's most innovative companies grow across borders and compete globally. The proposal addresses two main challenges: helping innovative companies access financing and establishing a common procedure for R&D procurement. Measures include a common EU framework for intellectual property valuation, a digital marketplace for IP transactions, and simpler cross-border R&D procurement. The Commission expects around €35 million in administrative cost savings and €10.2 billion per year in additional IP-backed financing.
The European Commission adopted a proposal for a new regulation to modernise and simplify the EU's public procurement framework and support investment in public services and infrastructure. Public procurement accounts for around 15% of EU GDP. The proposal is expected to deliver annual administrative savings of €650 million, including €80 million for public buyers and €570 million for economic operators. It consolidates three existing procurement directives into one directly applicable regulation, reduces procedures from five to three, and creates a digital procurement marketplace of interconnected Member States' eProcurement platforms applying a once-only principle. The Best Price-Quality…
The European Commission published a Q&A on the European Innovation Act, explaining R&D procurement rules and IP support measures. R&D procurement currently represents about 0.6% (€17 billion) of annual EU public procurement expenditure, while other leading economies invest 5 to 8 times more. The Act would create common R&D procurement rules, providing legal certainty, and is expected to save public buyers €1 billion per year and generate €25.92 billion in additional annual profits for companies. A Competence Centre within EUIPO will support IP-backed finance and commercialisation.
The European Commission published a Q&A on the Affordable Housing Act, explaining its background and short-term rental impact. A June 2025 Eurobarometer found 40% of Europeans see affordable housing as an immediate and urgent problem where they live, rising to 51% in cities. Between 2018 and 2024, short-term rental activity across the four major platforms grew 93%. The Act provides a common framework to identify areas under housing stress, enabling targeted local measures, while decisions remain with Member States and local authorities. It does not ban short-term rentals or give the EU competence over housing.
On September 5, the 2026 Lu'an Autumn Culture and Tourism Consumption Season kicked off at the city's Sports Center, hosted by the Lu'an Culture and Tourism Bureau under the theme 'Autumn Colors on the Dabie Mountains, Wellness in Lu'an.' The event offers 7 boutique travel routes and 6 product series covering leaf-peeping, wellness, food, and more. One million yuan in tourism vouchers will be distributed, with first-time subsidies for inbound visitors. A 'ticket-stub economy plus vouchers' model allows discounts at attractions and hotels with tickets from events like 'Anhui Wonderful Performances.' An intangible heritage market is also featured.
The article emphasizes the importance of the rule of law for sustainable ecotourism. It notes that in 2025, national ecotourism received over 3 billion visitors, and risks such as disorderly development must be guarded against. It mentions the implementation of the 'Ecological Environment Code of the People's Republic of China' on August 15 this year, and local legislative practices such as the 'Fujian Province Wuyishan National Park Regulations', arguing that the rule of law can both hold the bottom line and open channels for value transformation.
Suzhou launched 100 cultural tourism ambassadors and a guide night school, issued measures for tourism talent development, and launched a guide interpretation service platform. It plans to complete full training by end of 2026 and train 500 people per quarter from 2027.
During Teachers' Day, several Xi'an venues including Huaqing Palace, Beilin Museum, Shaanxi History Museum, Qujiang Ocean Polar Park, and Qujiang Art Museum offer free admission or group reservations for teachers, requiring teacher certification and ID verification.
The article discusses high-quality development of industrial tourism, proposing coordinated efforts in cultural value identification and distinctive experience design. It emphasizes identifying historical, technical, and social values, and achieving shifts from visiting routes to story routes, from one-way exhibitions to participatory experiences, and from isolated sites to regional linkages. It mentions the joint issuance of the 'Notice on Promoting Industrial Culture, Protecting Industrial Heritage, and Developing Industrial Tourism' by seven departments in May this year, and the inclusion of industrial tourism in the '15th Five-Year Plan for Building a Tourism Powerhouse'.
In 2026, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism launched a concentrated rectification on scenic shuttle bus issues. Hukou Waterfall, Wudang Mountain, etc., lowered prices, and Changbai Mountain optimized services. The rectification pushes scenic areas to shift from manager perspective to visitor experience, improving service quality.
On the evening of September 7, the 2026 'Rule of Law + Cultural Tourism' legal campaign and the 'Learn Law, Get Tickets: Travel Hunan with the Tourism Development Conference' activity was launched in Yongzhou, hosted by the Hunan Provincial Department of Justice and the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. The campaign aims to deepen 'rule of law into cultural tourism venues' and integrate legal culture with Huxiang culture. Since its inception in 2015, the activity has distributed over 70,000 legal benefit cards, attracted over 50 million participants in online legal quizzes, and boosted cultural tourism consumption by over 1 billion yuan. This year's activity will run until…
China's State Administration for Market Regulation released typical cases of unfair competition in tourism, involving false advertising by hotels. A hotel in Lianyungang was fined 20,000 yuan for failing to provide a room with windows as booked and for mismatched room photos; Wyndham Grand Royale Wenchang in Hainan was fined 3,000 yuan for claiming five-star status without official rating. Regulators stressed the importance of accurate platform information and star-rating qualifications.
The 2026 China Farmers' Harvest Festival Autumn Consumption Season was launched in Shanghai on September 4, themed 'Harvest Opens New Prospects, Hard Work Promotes Revitalization', lasting until the end of November. Activities include digital commerce for agriculture, 'vegetable basket' consumption promotion, rural cultural tourism enhancement, and release of e-commerce and financial measures benefiting farmers.
The EU, Greenland, and Denmark signed a joint declaration to strengthen cooperation in education, infrastructure, ocean governance, natural resources, energy, connectivity, sustainable tourism, and more. The declaration emphasizes sustainable development and climate action, and plans to deepen economic ties and investment.
At a State Council Information Office press conference, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism outlined plans to expand development space for heritage industries such as silk, tea, and porcelain. Efforts will focus on three areas: intangible cultural heritage protection, business model innovation, and promotion. Initiatives include bringing heritage products into airports, high-speed rail, and duty-free shops, creating immersive experiences, and launching themed inbound tourism routes.
During her visit to Nuuk, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a €200 million Global Gateway Partnership Package to be invested in and with Greenland this year and next. The EU, Greenland, and Denmark also reinforced their partnership with a new Joint Declaration signed in Nuuk.
The EU is preparing legislation, a central component of a forthcoming Affordable Housing Act, to provide a legal framework for authorities to manage short-term rentals and identify areas with housing market stress. The law would support local authorities in restricting Airbnbs and other short-term rentals. The European Commission is slated to discuss the mandate on September 9.
Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and the Aeronautics Command (Comaer) published the third edition of the National Operational Safety Plan for Civil Aviation (PNSO) for 2026-2028. The plan sets national safety priorities, objectives, indicators, and improvement initiatives, aligned with ICAO guidelines.
The U.S. General Services Administration increased the standard per diem rate for federal travelers by $3 to $181 for fiscal year 2027. The lodging allowance rose to $113, while meals and incidentals remained at $68. Non-standard areas decreased to 295.
US Travel Association and CEOs from Hilton, Marriott, Booking Holdings, MGM Resorts, and Caesars met with President Trump to encourage international travel, aiming for 100 million visitors annually by 2030, which they estimate would generate $81 billion in additional spending and 400,000 jobs.
On September 3, Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism summoned 52 travel agencies with the highest number of complaints. They must submit self-inspection reports and rectification plans within one week, and complete all rectifications by the end of September. Complaints focus on refund disputes, unauthorized itinerary changes, false advertising, poor tour guide service, and shopping disputes. Chengdu issued ten rigid measures, including banning disguised shopping arrangements and ordering suspension or license revocation for agencies with three administrative penalties within a year.
On September 2, the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial People's Congress launched an inspection on the implementation of the Tourism Law and Shaanxi Tourism Regulations. The inspection will cover four cities (Xi'an, Hanzhong, Ankang, Shangluo) on-site, and entrust six other city-level people's congresses. Eight key aspects will be checked, including institutional mechanisms, protection of tourists' rights, market order, and safety guarantees.
Brazil's ANAC met with the Brazilian Aerossport Committee to discuss general aviation safety and the role of the new Superintendence of General Aviation Operations (SAG), operational since August 2026.
Brazil's ANAC will hold an online forum on Sept 11 to discuss regulation of the ProBioQAV sustainable aviation fuel program, including emission reduction monitoring, with public consultation until Oct 1.
Brazil's ANAC opened Public Consultation No. 12/2026 on MRV rules for domestic flight emission reductions, until Oct 1, with mandatory targets effective Jan 1, 2027.
The National Cultural Heritage Administration issued trial measures for transferring archaeological relics, requiring excavation units to transfer relics within six months after report submission, and receiving units to complete registration and classification within one year.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will impose a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Levy on tickets sold from 1 October 2026 for flights departing from 1 January 2027. The levy must be shown as a separate line item. Funds will go to a statutory SAF Fund managed by SAFCo, which will procure SAF and allocate environmental attributes. Cargo shipments are deferred to 2028.
China and Vietnam launched the 2026-2027 Tourism Cooperation Year, and China implemented 240-hour transit visa-free and Hainan 30-day visa-free policies for Vietnamese citizens. Vietnam outbound travel to China is rising, shifting from sightseeing to immersive experiences, with growing interest in niche destinations and independent travel. Guangxi border crossings saw significant increases in Vietnamese visitors. Recommendations include targeted promotion and product innovation.
Seven ministries including MOFCOM issued implementation opinions on expanding goods consumption, proposing measures such as developing RV camping, coffee tourism experiences, promoting cultural products, optimizing duty-free store layouts, and deepening rural tourism.
Four departments including CAAC issued opinions on improving entry and exit mechanisms for public air transport enterprises, stating no increase in the number of airlines by 2030, supporting mergers and market exit, and tightening entry standards. This aims to curb involution and optimize supply.
The European Commission adopted Guidelines on the application of Article 102 TFEU to exclusionary abuses, replacing the 2008 Guidance. The Guidelines are based on EU Courts' case law and provide a modern and economically sound framework, covering predatory pricing, margin squeeze, exclusive dealing, and refusal to supply, aiming to enhance legal certainty and increase enforcement consistency.
Top executives from the U.S. Travel Association, American Airlines, Hilton, Marriott, MGM Resorts, Booking Holdings, and other major travel brands met with President Trump to push for a national goal of over 100 million annual international visitors by 2030, a 46% increase from 2025 and 25% above the pre-pandemic peak. The meeting comes amid a 5.5% decline in inbound travel in 2025 and four consecutive months of overseas visitor declines in 2026, even during the World Cup. International travelers cite costs, politics, and entry policies as deterrents, hitting destinations like Las Vegas and Canadian travel. Despite soft arrivals, the World Cup boosted hotel and rental rates, and industry le…
Saudi Arabia's Tourism Authority has appointed Ageel Alshaibani as CEO, succeeding Fahd Hamidaddin who left in May. Alshaibani, a former deputy tourism minister and ex-McKinsey executive, inherits the goal of attracting 150 million annual visitors by 2030. However, the Public Investment Fund is pivoting toward AI infrastructure, scaling back giga-projects like Neom (The Line reduced to 2.4km), postponing the 2029 Asian Winter Games, and ending LIV Golf funding after 2026.
On Sep 1, Jilin Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, People's Bank of China Jilin Branch, and Yanbian Prefecture Government co-hosted an investment matchmaking event themed 'Wellness Living, Invest in Jilin'. Financial support policies were announced, with four banks allocating 30 billion yuan in special credit for the wellness living industry. The Jilin Wellness Living Cooperation Alliance was established to promote industry scaling.
The Chinese Embassy in Thailand announced that starting September 15, 2026, Chinese citizens holding official or ordinary passports can still enter Thailand visa-free for tourism, family visits, and other purposes under the bilateral agreement, with a stay of up to 30 days per entry and a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. Thailand's cancellation of its unilateral 60-day visa-free policy does not affect the bilateral agreement.