HolidayBlogging

Tag: tourism

  • 'Disproportionate’ and ‘unjustified’: European travel industry urges EU to rethink ETIAS fee hike

    As the European travel industry continues to struggle with rising costs and labour issues, travel leaders have voiced concerns about the ETIAS fee increase potentially undermining competitiveness.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    European aviation and travel group bosses have criticised the proposed increase in the  European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) fee from €7 to €20.  
    A joint statement from travel industry leaders, including the European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association (ECTAA), European Tourism Association, Airlines for Europe (A4E) said the price hike was disproportionate and a threat to the continent’s travel competitiveness. 

    “This increase appears disproportionate and runs counter to the original intention of the co-legislators (European Parliament and Council), who agreed to a modest and reasonable fee during the 2018 negotiations – a key outcome supported by the travel and tourism sector,” the statement reads. 
    They highlighted concerns about fairness and pointed out that although the fee increase may be small on its own, it would add to escalating costs for families. 
    This is especially as overnight taxes have also soared in several popular European cities, such as Barcelona, Venice and Lisbon. 

    Related

    When does the ETAIS scheme begin and how much will it cost? Everything you need to know ETIAS scams: Everything Brits need to know about EU travel as ETA launch causes confusion

    The ETIAS fee increase poses “another cost and administrative burden on travellers, with little noticeable benefit to the user experience”, according to Patrick Diemer, chair of BT4Europe, as reported by Business Travel News. 

    He added: “We support secure, efficient entry systems, but only where they deliver real value to travellers and businesses alike. This fee hike sends the wrong signal.”
    The ETIAS is likely to start operating late next year, requiring visa-exempt non-EU travellers from countries like US, UK, Brazil, Canada and Australia to get an online authorisation before travelling to the EU. 

    Lack of transparency and insufficient evidence for fee hike

    The ETIAS fee increase also comes as the European travel and tourism sector faces ongoing challenges caused by high inflation, geopolitical instability and soaring operational costs. 
    Travel industry leaders raised concerns about the lack of transparency around the proposed figure and questioned whether other pricing models, such as €10 or €12 had been sufficiently considered. 

    “At present, insufficient evidence has been offered to justify that such a fee level is necessary for the operation and maintenance of ETIAS,” said the statement. 
    The EU has cited higher operational costs for this price jump and emphasised that it will also help it better align with international travel standards. The hike is expected to help pay for ongoing maintenance, new technical features and operational staffing.

    Related

    How powerful is your passport? New 2025 rankings reveal Europe’s winners and losersGreece introduces new cruise tax: How much will passengers have to pay?

    This will include stronger encryption, upgraded automation and better coordination with other EU travel systems such as the Entry/Exit System (EES). 
    Travel associations slammed using other travel authorisation schemes such as the UK ETA as justification for the ETIAS, saying: “Fee decisions should reflect the actual operational needs of the EU system and be fully justified. They should not aim to align with unrelated schemes without clear rationale and legal basis.”
    They are calling for an impact assessment by the European Commission, justifying the proposed fee hike with a thorough cost breakdown.. The Council and European Parliament have also been urged to implement a more evidence-based and proportionate fee. 

  • North Korea halts foreign tourism at beach resort weeks after opening

    No official explanation was provided, but analysts suggest the decision may be linked to Russian media report implying the resort was populated by mobilised locals rather than genuine holidaymakers.

    North Korea’s Beach Resort Goes on a “Foreign Tourist Diet”

    What’s the scoop? North Korea has put a pause on foreign visitors headed to its freshly opened Wonsan‑Kalma beach paradise. This comes just weeks after the complex got a taste of domestic tourists and a handful of Russian guests.

    The Splurge‑and‑Pause Story

    • Pyongyang bragged that the resort can seat up to 20,000 guests – a claim that Kim Jong‑un painted as “one of the greatest successes this year.”
    • Yesterday, the state‑run DPR Korea Tour website dropped a short message: the site is “temporarily not receiving foreign tourists.” No reason, no date for lifting the ban.
    • The announcement followed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent visit for talks with Kim and the Russian FM Choe Son‑hui.

    Lavrov’s Optimistic Tone

    Lavrov was all sunshine, saying, “I am sure that Russian tourists will be increasingly eager to come here.” He dreamed of a wave of Russian visitors washing over the shores of Wonsan‑Kalma.

    Why the Chill on Foreign Guests?

    • Analysts say the ban might be a response to a Russian journalist’s piece that implied North Korean locals at the resort were “organised by authorities” rather than genuine vacationers.
    • Oh Gyeong‑seob of Seoul’s Korea Institute for National Unification warned that the government feared “negative consequences” if foreigners were allowed in.
    • Lee Sangkeun of the Seoul Institute for National Security Strategy added that distance and travel costs could make it hard for Russian tourists to actually arrive.

    Short‑Term Effect? Long‑Term Kinda?

    Expert chatter suggests the suspension won’t last forever. The resort’s founders poured heavily into a project that was supposed to pump foreign currency into North Korea’s tight budget.

    Bottom line: No foreign tourists means no rubles, yuan, or dollars. If the resort can’t break even, it might have to shut down.

    What’s Happening Inside?

    Wonsan‑Kalma is still buzzing with domestic travelers, but there’s no word on when the door will open to the rest of the world. Group tours from China—who used to make up more than 90% of visitors pre‑COVID—haven’t yet restarted.

    Kim’s Vision

    Kim Jong‑un has repeatedly touted the resort as “the proud first step” in reviving North Korea’s tourism scene. Only time (and a few thousand foreign exchanges) will tell if that step will become a stride.