The end of November is upon us, and we here at TravelPulse have written quite a lot of big news about destinations around the world—most notably about the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and some interesting new information about Las Vegas’s tourism decline.
Check out our curated list of the biggest news impacting destinations around the world—and as always, be sure to click the links provided to read the full stories.
First off, we’re celebrating travel agents’ favorite destinations of the year with our list of 2025 Travvy destination winners. The 2025 Travvy Awards honor the destinations that advisors and their clients love the most—so be sure to check it out!
Jamaica and the Impact of Hurricane Melissa
A mural saying “Welcome to Kingston” in Jamaica. (Photo Credit: Kleston / Adobe Stock)
Following the late October hurricane that directly hit parts of Jamaica, including Montego Bay, we’ve been covering the ways the travel industry has been offering support to the Jamaican people as they begin to recover and rebuild.
Disney Cruise Line, for example, and parent company Disney have pledged $1 million for relief and recovery efforts, while airlines waived change fees for impacted travelers. CMex and the U.S. Virgin Islands also partnered to raise funds for Jamaica.
The Jamaica Tourism minister expects the island to be fully reopened for tourism by December 15, though many attractions and hotels have reopened. Several Sandals Resorts remain closed through mid-December to allow time for staff to recover from any personal impact; a very few will remain closed further to allow for restoration.
U.S. Travel News
Aerial view of the Las Vegas Strip. (Photo Credit: lucky-photo/Adobe)
In news closer to home, New Orleans became the ninth city in the United States to be designated a Creative City for Music by UNESCO. The new designation recognizes the incredible and indelible musical legacy that continues to be practiced and evolved in New Orleans today.
“New Orleans, Louisiana is home to some of the world’s most unique cultural heritage elements that have created the alchemy and foundation for musical genres such as, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll, Bounce and beyond,” said Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, member of the New Orleans UNESCO Creative Cities of Music Advisory Board.
“As a life long educator, band leader of Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots, Big Chief of the Northside Skull and Bone Gang, and member of the Black Men of Labor Social Aid and Pleasure Club, I’m excited and proud that our city is joining the ranks of UNESCO Creative Cities. Through Stewardship, we can perpetuate and preserve our culture heritage for future generations.”
In more sobering news, newly released data by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority drove home the city’s tourism decline this year: visitors decreased 8.8 percent in September compared to September, 2024. Hotel occupancy was down 5.2 percent, while RevPAR, another key hotel metric, was down 9 percent. Convention attendance, another crucial mainstay for Las Vegas, was down 18.7 percent.
One of the major reasons, according to the city’s Mayor Shelley Berkeley, is the Canadian boycott on traveling in the United States, saying the major international source market’s boycott turned international tourism into “a drip,” instead of a torrent.
Food for Thought: Native American Heritage Month
Nez Perce Tourism Nimiipuu Tours offers Native American-led experiences in North Central Idaho. (Photo Credit: Nez Perce Tourism Nimiipuu Tours)
Here in the United States, we recognize November as Native American Heritage Month. At TravelPulse, we’re honoring and recognizing the unique connection the tourism industry has with Native American communities across the country with a new feature showcasing what Indigenous tourism looks like here in the U.S., and how you can support Indigenous communities right here at home.
New Destination Campaigns
Destination Canada launched OpenHome inviting Americans to experience Canada’s warmth and hospitality (Photo Credit: Destination Canada)
Lastly, two destinations launched fascinating new campaigns aimed at welcoming Americans this month.
Discover Dominica Authority has launched the Nature of Love campaign, focusing on the island’s plentiful natural beauty. From swimming with sperm whales to the second largest boiling lake in the world, nature lovers are sure to be inspired with the new campaign.
Meanwhile, further north, Destination Canada is inviting Americans to come share a meal with Canadians across the country in a new campaign and experience called OpenHome. Now through February, 2026, Americans can browse and book dinner experiences at select homes, like at Chef Alex Blagdon’s in Tors Cove.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
