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Thursday 10 September

11 updates
Policy & visas
China Tourism NewsChina

China to Build Over 5,000 Safe-Consumption Clusters by 2030

China's State Administration for Market Regulation issued a notice to comprehensively develop safe-consumption units and clusters, aiming for more than 5,000 safe-consumption clusters nationwide by 2030. Focus areas include safe-consumption units such as shops, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, online stores and livestream rooms, and clusters such as commercial complexes, business districts, markets, scenic areas, districts, villages and highway service areas. Accompanying guidelines encourage accommodation units to commit to holiday price increase limits and support tiered cancellation, and encourage cluster managers to establish advance compensation systems.

Policy & visas
China Tourism NewsChina / Beijing

Ding Xuexiang Attends 2026 Global Services Trade Summit

The 2026 Global Services Trade Summit was held in Beijing on 9 September, with Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attending and delivering a keynote speech. Ding proposed three points: promoting services trade through high-quality services sector development; expanding services trade through inclusive progress and reducing cross-border factor flow barriers; and building new engines through digital and intelligent empowerment, including AI and digital technology sharing. The summit was co-hosted by the Beijing Municipal Government, the Ministry of Commerce, UNCTAD and WIPO, with about 800…

Policy & visas
China Tourism NewsInner Mongolia Autonomous Region / Hulunbuir / Ergun

Inner Mongolia Deploys Scenic-Area Renewal and Market Cleanup

A research team from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Department of Culture and Tourism visited key scenic areas in Hulunbuir, including Hulun Lake, Moergele River and Aoluguya, to inspect 5A-level scenic-area creation and re-evaluation preparations, and examined horse-riding tourism market rectification and industry standardization in Heishantou, Ergun. A regional tourism work symposium was then held in Ergun, deploying tasks including scenic-area upgrading, 5A creation, market rectification, anti-organized-crime work in tourism, and winter tourism preparation.

Policy & visas
Pinchain TourismJiangsu Province / Suzhou

Suzhou Issues Three-Year Action Plan to Build International Tourism Destination

Suzhou in Jiangsu issued a three-year action plan (2026-2028) to build an international tourism destination with Jiangnan water-town characteristics, setting out eight actions and 25 key tasks. The plan promotes a 'one core, two belts, four zones' layout: the ancient-city cultural tourism core; the Grand Canal cultural tourism belt and the Yangtze River cultural-ecological tourism belt; and the Taihu Lake scenic resort zone, Yangcheng Lake rural eco-tourism zone, Jinji Lake modern urban tourism zone and water-town cluster zone. By 2028, Suzhou aims for core tourism indicators to lead the province and rank among the top nationally.

Policy & visas
Pinchain TourismUruguay / Antarctica / Ecuador / Colombia / Brazil / Chile / Peru / Argentina

Brazil Visa-Free Window Nears End; GZL Launches Full South America Product Line

GZL, under Lingnan Holdings, said its new season South America products are fully on sale, with departures through April next year, discounts of up to 5,000 yuan per person, and multiple visa alternatives. Brazil has implemented visa-free entry for ordinary Chinese passports on a trial basis since 11 May this year, valid until 31 December; Uruguay also announced reciprocal visa-free entry in June. Data from Brazil's Ministry of Tourism shows Chinese visitors to Brazil in July increased 123.4% year-on-year, with the cumulative total for the first seven months exceeding 80% of last year's full-year total. GZL's South America enquiries and bookings have risen steadily, driven by a 'last-minute…

Policy & visas
China Tourism NewsChina / Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia Deploys Scenic Area Upgrade to Capture Autumn-Winter Tourism

Inner Mongolia held its autumn tourism launch event and scenic area upgrade symposium, deploying a scenic area upgrading programme with three tasks: infrastructure renewal, diversified product renewal and development philosophy renewal. The meeting required cracking down on unreasonably low-priced tours, forced consumption, price fraud and false advertising; tightening inspections at key scenic areas in peak season; conducting safety hazard checks on facilities and fire safety; and tackling unlicensed guides and vehicles and illegal solicitation.

Policy & visas
Pinchain TourismChina

Six Departments Jointly Issue Opinions to Promote High-Quality Development of Historical Classic In…

Six departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and State Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued the Opinions on Promoting High-Quality Development of Historical Classic Industries. Shan Gangxin, Director of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, stated that a campaign to promote intangible cultural heritage consumption will be implemented, integrating intangible cultural heritage into communities and bringing intangible cultural heritage products to airports…

Policy & visas
Pinchain TourismChina

Seven Ministries Call for 2026 Audiovisual System Case Studies

Seven Chinese ministries and agencies—including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Publicity Department, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the National Radio and Television Administration, the General Administration of Sport and the National Cultural Heritage Administration—jointly issued a notice to collect 2026 audiovisual system case studies. The call focuses on virtual reality (including AR and MR) applications across four areas—industrial production, social governance, key industries and life experience—covering 11 fields including culture and tourism. The culture and tourism field targets VR applications in museums, art galleries, li…

Policy & visas
European Commission Press CornerBrussels / Europe / EU

European Commission Pushes Auto-Enrolment Supplementary Pensions Reform

The European Commission held a Brussels workshop on "Saving for Retirement through Auto-enrolment and Supplementary Pensions," with Commissioner Albuquerque delivering closing remarks. She noted that Europe's pension systems face growing strain from longer lives, lower birth rates and changing labour markets, and that without adaptation too many people will face a sharp drop in retirement income while public budget burdens grow. The Commission's supplementary pensions package adopted last November aims to strengthen supplementary pensions while mobilising broader EU investment. Only around 20% of Europeans participate in occupational pension schemes and only 18% hold a personal pension prod…

Policy & visas
Brazil ANAC NewsSão Paulo / Brazil

Brazil ANAC Approves New Rule for Exceptional Completion of Congonhas Operations After 23:00

Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) approved an interpretation allowing, in exceptional contingency situations, the completion of operations originally scheduled for the day at Congonhas Airport (São Paulo) after 23:00, when extraordinary events such as bad weather delay them. The measure is strictly contingency-based: it does not change the airport's official operating hours, grant permanent authorisation for operations after 23:00, create new flights, or allow allocation of additional slots. It is restricted to completing, in whole or in part, operations already scheduled for the day of the exceptional situation. The decision interprets Resolution No. 55/2008, which currently b…

Policy & visas
Skift FeedEU

EU Unveils Rules to Help Cities Crack Down on Airbnbs

The European Commission released a proposal for the Affordable Housing Act, laying out a new method for authorities to identify areas under housing stress and a legal framework to curb short-term rental operations. The Commission said housing has become too expensive for many in the EU and the act helps public authorities protect housing affordability and availability in the most pressured areas. EU officials said housing prices have jumped over 60% since 2013. Trade groups backing the short-term rental industry raised concerns about the legislation.

Wednesday 9 September

14 updates
Policy & visas
Brazil ANAC NewsMato Grosso do Sul / Bahia / Paraná / Brazil / Brasília / Goiás / Mato Grosso

Brazil ANAC Approves Tender Documents for Brasília Airport Concession Renegotiation

Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) board approved the tender documents and addendum for the renegotiation of the concession for Brasília's President Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport. The process provides for the sale of all shares of concessionaire Inframerica, continuing the consensual solution reached under the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU). The documents were published in an extra edition of the Official Gazette on 8 September, with the auction expected on 17 December 2026. The measure aims to restore the concession's economic-financial sustainability, agree new investments in Brasília Airport, and include investment and operation obligations for ten regional airp…

Policy & visas
European Commission Press CornerEurope / EU

EU Proposes Public Procurement Reform and Innovation Act

The European Commission adopted proposals to overhaul EU public procurement, merging three directives into a single regulation, cutting five procedures to three, and creating a single European procurement platform. At least 30% of award weighting must be based on quality rather than price, with mandatory European preference in strategic sectors such as clean tech, cloud and AI, and critical medicines. A companion European Innovation Act sets quality at no less than 50% of R&D award criteria, with at least 15% for innovation, and caps award at 60 days after tender close.

Policy & visas
European Commission Press CornerEU / Romania

European Commission Approves New Romanian Geographical Indication

The European Commission approved the registration of Brânză frământată de Teaca from Romania as a Protected Geographical Indication. The cheese comes from Teaca in northern Romania and is made from raw cow's milk that is curdled, fermented, aged, salted and kneaded in a pig's bladder, with characteristics relying on craft skills passed down through generations. The designation brings the number of protected names in the eAmbrosia database to more than 3,900.

Policy & visas
European Commission Press CornerDenmark / Arctic / Greenland / EU

EU and Greenland Sign Joint Declaration with €200 Million Investment

European Commission President von der Leyen visited Nuuk and signed a Joint Declaration with Greenland Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, deepening cooperation on youth opportunities, connectivity, civil protection and climate action. She announced a €200 million Global Gateway Partnership Package for this year and next, focused on connectivity, clean energy and critical raw materials. A new satellite project will immediately improve internet access for communities in northern Greenland, with remote eastern communities expected to benefit by October.

Policy & visas
China Tourism NewsChina

Anhui Deploys Autumn Cultural Tourism Consumption Boost, Strengthens Supply-Demand Matching

Anhui Province held a video conference to deploy cultural tourism consumption promotion for the Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day, and autumn break. The meeting proposed using 'Anhui Treasure Towns' as a guide, focusing on leisure, vacation, wellness, and study tours, innovating activities, and enriching consumption scenarios. It also emphasized project leadership, service quality improvement, rectifying tour guide chaos and forced consumption, and maintaining safety bottom lines.

Policy & visas
China Tourism NewsWuhan / Hubei / Xiangyang

Hubei Launches Autumn Consumption Season with Over 1,000 Events to Boost Tourism

The Hubei provincial government announced the launch of the 'Zhihuan Hubei · Enjoy Golden Autumn' consumption season from September to early December, integrating culture, tourism, commerce, and sports resources to host over 1,000 promotional events. Key activities include the Yangtze River Culture and Art Season, the Hubei Culture and Tourism Development Conference, the 11th China Peking Opera Festival, and the Wuhan Open tennis tournament. The province will distribute consumption vouchers and prize funds totaling 180 million yuan to stimulate spending across dining, accommodation, travel, shopping, and entertainment.

Policy & visas
Pinchain TourismShanghai / China

Shanghai's Tax Refund Services Expand into Consumer Scenes

Shanghai sees high inbound consumption, with tax refund services expanding to high-end malls, street commerce, and supermarkets. Jing'an District accounts for nearly half of the city's refund sales, with over 800 registered stores.兴业太古汇's instant refund transactions grew 700%, and RT-Mart launched instant refund service.

Policy & visas
Singapore CAAS NewsroomAsia-Pacific / Sri Lanka / Vietnam

Sri Lanka and Viet Nam Join Regional Aviation Safety Data Sharing Initiative

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.

Policy & visas
Pinchain TourismChina

Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Consumer Councils: 10 Airlines and 5 Platforms Complete Oversales Rectificati…

Consumer councils in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei reported that as of August 31, all 10 airlines and 5 online ticketing platforms previously summoned have completed rectification of flight overbooking. Improvements cover purchase notification, on-site handling, compensation standards, and complaint mechanisms, ensuring consumers see overbooking rules before purchase and have clear compensation if bumped.

Policy & visas
China Tourism NewsLinyi / Shandong

Linyi Recruits College Student Tourism Ambassadors with Two-Year Term

The Linyi Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism is recruiting 'College Student Tourism Ambassadors' from universities nationwide, targeting current students and graduates within three years. Selected candidates will receive a certificate with a two-year term, enjoy free or discounted admission to some scenic areas, and have priority in participating in familiarization trips and new media training. This initiative aims to leverage youth in culture-tourism integration and enhance Linyi's tourism brand awareness.

Policy & visas
China Tourism NewsChina / Jiangsu

Jiangsu Outlines High-Quality Cultural Tourism Development Plan

On September 9, Jiangsu Province held a promotion conference on high-quality cultural tourism development in Jiangyin. The meeting outlined five key tasks, including optimizing scenic area operations, deepening cross-sector integration, extending industry chains, attracting international visitors, and emphasizing meticulous and efficient services. Several policy measures were issued, covering inbound tourism consumption, performing arts market growth, and promoting a 'ticket economy'.

Policy & visas
Pinchain TourismChina

Official Clarification: Live Crabs Allowed on High-Speed Rail

China Railway officially clarified that live seafood such as fish, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish can be carried on high-speed trains if sealed in leak-proof packaging with no odor, and the total weight for adults must not exceed 20 kg. Cangnan Station in Zhejiang provides packing materials like tape and rope to assist travelers carrying swimming crabs.

Policy & visas
UK CAA NewsUnited Kingdom

UK CAA: NATS outage likely 'extraordinary circumstances', limiting passenger compensation

The UK Civil Aviation Authority issued a statement on the NATS flight-planning system technical issue of 8 September 2026, which led to delays and the cancellation of hundreds of UK arriving and departing flights and continued knock-on disruption. The CAA considers delays and cancellations directly caused by the outage, and by its knock-on effects, likely to be 'extraordinary circumstances' under passenger rights rules, meaning passengers are unlikely to be entitled to compensation, though airlines should still look after them. The CAA reminded airlines of obligations including offering refunds, re-routing at the earliest opportunity or at a later date, and providing meals, refreshments and…

Policy & visas
European Commission Press CornerEU

Commission proposes new European Innovation Act

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.