As we head into the busy holiday travel season, now is one of the most important times for travelers to check in with the latest news coming out of their destinations.
The past month saw some significant announcements from popular places all across the globe. Here are some of the most important headlines you may have missed.
New Entry Requirements, Travel Warnings
October featured some notable countries issuing new entry requirements, specifically in Asia, where Taiwan made its digital arrival card mandatory.
Meanwhile, the popular Japanese destination of Kyoto announced plans to levy an accommodation tax of 10,000 yen or $65 per night to cover costs involved in enhancing the attractions of Kyoto as an International Culture and Tourism City, and in promoting tourism.
Falmouth, Jamaica (Photo Credit: Irina Schmidt/Adobe Stock)
Jamaica and Peru were two other prominent travel destinations in the news in October.
The former continues to feel the impact of Hurricane Melissa, while the latter was forced to issue its own state of emergency due to ongoing security concerns that could impact visitors to some of the country’s premier tourist hotspots in the days and weeks to come.
Top Destinations Tout Tourism Product
October was a busy month for some of the world’s most coveted places, many of which used the shoulder season to tout their superior tourism product.
The U.S. destination marketing organization Brand USA launched its most ambitious tourism campaign to date ahead of what’s going to be a historic 2026 in terms of events, which will include the upcoming World Cup and America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Washington, D.C. wasted little time in addressing the government shutdown as Destination DC reprised its “DC is Open” campaign in an effort to continue attracting visitors despite attraction limitations resulting from the work stoppage.
Las Vegas Strip viewed at night. (Photo Credit: Patrick Clarke)
A pair of other weathered U.S. destinations, Las Vegas and Hawaii, acknowledged ongoing challenges related to inflation and a down international visitor market but expressed overwhelming optimism that they remain not only sought-after but accessible to travelers of all types.
Across the pond, Iceland is bracing for the northern lights season with a new playful campaign that includes a free trip to the island country.
In South America, Brazil recorded its highest-ever international visitor count, welcoming more than 7 million travelers between January and September of 2025. The figure marked an all-time record for the country and reflects a 45 percent year-over-year increase.
Caribbean Adds to Appeal
The Caribbean is not one to rest on its laurels and the past month included some significant news out of the island region, with the U.S. Virgin Islands expanding flight options.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean Tourism Organization was hard at work to highlight the region’s unique culture and promote efforts to enhance sustainability in the months and years ahead.
Other notable happenings included efforts to reduce sargassum seaweed in the Mexican Caribbean and art, fashion, music and dance showcases in Antigua and Barbuda.
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