Top Destination Travel News from June

The world's destinations have seen a number of unique stories popping up in June, from destinations facing housing crises considering banning or limiting short-term vacation rentals to destinations like Saudi Arabia and Italy reporting record numbers of travelers. Check out the big headlines you might've missed in June, and don't forget to register for the TravelPulse newsletter so you don't miss a beat!

The government on the Hawaiian island of Maui is considering a new proposal to change 7,000 vacation rentals to properties for residents to own and rent in what many think would be a new way to help the 13,000 displaced by last year's wildfires and help solve a housing crisis on the island. While there benefits to doing so, some critics state the island may lose tourism jobs and over $1 billion in tourism dollars if the change were to be effected.

The small two-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis became the latest Caribbean destination to sign the Glasgow Declaration, committing to halving the country's tourism emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero before 2050. The island will publish a climate action plan within the next year detailing its steps to reaching net zero.

Check out the latest travel guidance for destinations across the Caribbean this summer. The State Department continues to issue Jamaica a Level 3 travel warning, though the rest of the Caribbean is largely designated at a Level 1 risk, meaning travelers can exercise normal precautions and enjoy their trips without worrying overly much about crime, terrorism, or other threats.

As we mark the end of the first half of the year, travel advisors weigh in on the destinations that are selling the most in 2024: destinations across Europe are trending, as well as Japan, Egypt, South Africa and Alaska.

Saudi Arabia is achieving its tourism goals years ahead of schedule: its goal to welcome 100 million domestic and international tourists by 2030 was achieved in 2023, seven years ahead of schedule. Twenty-seven million of these travelers were international. Learn more about Saudi Arabia's tourism boom and investments in this story.

Kelly Fontenelle is St. Kitts Tourism Authority's new CEO, with her role beginning on July 1. She was previously CEO of Travel Advisors Selling the Caribbean and offers over 25 years of experience. She's originally from St. Lucia and replaces Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, who began his time as CEO in 2022.

There's a newly named state park located near Modesto, California. Dos Rios State Park boasts 1,600 acres and is part of the state's largest floodplain restoration project. According to local officials, the park will feature plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities for residents and travelers alike.

Curious about which destinations are emerging as adventure travel destinations this year? We identified several destinations, including Fiji, Antarctica, Greenland, Mongolia and more. Learn why these and others are being recognized for their adventurous offerings in this story.

Tourism numbers are still expected to increase this year in Italy as the country expands its visa-free travel for 64 different countries. The travel and tourism industry is estimated to generate 223 billion euros for the country in 2024.

The city of Barcelona is proposing a ban on tourism vacation rentals in the next few years, citing a 40 percent increase in housing prices due to the large increase in short-term rental properties. The new ban would hopefully bring prices down so residents can buy and rent homes easier. Spain is the second most-visited country in the world, second only to France.

A new Economic Impact Report from the World Travel & Tourism Council predicts Australia will generate $265 billion for the country's economy this year, a record-breaking total. In 2023, the country's travel and tourism industry fully recovered and employment in the sector grew 10 percent, employing a total of 1.42 million people, which is roughly 10 percent of Australia's population. The report predicts strong growth across the next few decades.