Author: Lauren Mulvey

Around the world, new taxes and fees have been imposed by popular cities, historical landmarks, and museums in attempts to curb the negative effects of tourism.  Now, travelers must prepare to face additional fees to visit the Louvre in Paris in 2026. According to Travel + Leisure, the Louvre in Paris is the most visited museum in the world, receiving up to nine million visitors per year, and around 30,000 visitors per day. It’s home to many famous historical artworks, most notably, the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and more. As of Jan. 14, visitors from the U.S., U.K. and…

Spain has fined Airbnb 64 million euros ($75 million) for promoting unlicensed rental properties across its platform. The consumer rights ministry claimed rentals on the platform didn’t list required license numbers or included incorrect host information. According to Reuters, the number of short-term rentals across Spain has jumped by 25% over the last two years, suggesting more and more money-hungry residents are renting out vacation properties. In turn, they’re hurting their fellow Spaniards. “Your AirBnB used to be my home,” said the sign of one protester named Marina at summer protest in Barcelona, Spain. “We cannot live in this city.…

The National Park Service has announced it will begin charging international visitors $100 per person to enter 11 of its most visited national parks. The new fee was announced recently by the Department of the Interior, framing it as “America-first pricing.” The surcharge will be in addition to standard entrance fees in 2026. The new policy will also exclude international tourists from participating in fee-free days at national parks. The parks that will enforce the additional fee are: Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion. The upcharge follows an executive…

Berkshire Hathaway has named the Netherlands the world’s safest country to travel to in 2026. T&L reports the company renders its findings by surveying over 1,800 American travelers on their experiences traveling in the last five years. Respondents are asked to rank the countries they’ve visited based on safety, terrorism, weather emergencies, health concerns, and the safety of underrepresented groups. A spokesperson for Berkshire and Hathaway told Travel + Leisure “We’re seeing a shift in how travelers define ‘safe.’ It’s not just about crime rates anymore, people are also considering healthcare access, climate stability and inclusivity. Survey respondents felt the…

The United States Embassy in Costa Rica has issued a country-wide alert to make travelers aware of recent increases in criminal activity. The alert, issued on Nov. 25 advises American travelers to beware of “recent property crimes, financial crimes and robberies that impacted foreigners in Costa Rica, including U.S. citizens,” according to Travel + Leisure.  Currently the State Department’s travel advisory for Costa Rica sits at a Level 2: Exercise increased caution. This is reportedly due to consistent levels of crime throughout the country which could pose a threat to visiting tourists. “Tourists have reported break-ins and armed robberies at Airbnbs…

As airports continue to digitize the travel process, the latest development in modern airport technology, digital passports, could replace a century-old tradition. The New York Times (NYT) reports that on Nov. 12 Apple announced iOS users could now add passports to the Wallet app in their phones. What’s more, the new digital passport IDs are now considered an acceptable form of identification for domestic travel at 250 airports across the country. For international travel, however, physical passports are still required to be carried by all passengers. As old travel conventions like passport stamping and manual immigration check-ins fade into the…

The state of Oregon has become the first in the U.S. to earn statewide accessibility verification. Wheel the World, a travel platform serving people with disabilities, awarded Oregon the honor after conducting a comprehensive review of the state’s accessibility offerings. According to Travel and Leisure, the verification process included the assessment of over 750 hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses in 43 different communities across the state. “Earning the distinction of being the first Accessibility Verified state reflects Oregon’s deep and ongoing commitment to welcoming all travelers,” said Kevin Wright, VP of brand stewardship at Travel Oregon in a statement to Travel and…

The U.S. Department of State has issued a level three travel advisory for those traveling to the East African nation of Tanzania.A level three travel advisory advises that travelers “reconsider” trips to certain destinations, usually following reports of crime, terrorism or the like. These advisories can only go up to Level 4.  Tanzania is a popular destination for tourists seeking outdoor adventures and wildlife experiences. Safaris are popular here, and the island archipelago of Zanzibar off the eastern coast of the country offers gorgeous coastal vibes. Plus, the country is home to Mount Kilimanjaro where hikers from around the world…

In every issue of Passport magazine we highlight unique hotels and resorts for readers to book and enjoy. Featured accommodations are in every corner of the world, from urban gems to tropical getaways. Here’s a list of some of our recommendations for the best places to stay around the world. FOUR SEASONS RESORT HUALALAI – KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII Embraced by the blue waters of the Pacific, white-sand beaches, and black-lava landscapes, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai epitomizes the allure of a premier Big Island resort. For a true Hawaiian experience, book one of the island-inspired specialty suites and villas, each boasting two…

As Mexico’s second largest city, the beautiful metropolis of Guadalajara is a rewarding place to visit and live. With its rich culture, mouthwatering cuisine, creative vibe, and queer welcoming ambiance, Guadalajara is well-equipped for a variety of travelers. As the capital of the state of Jalisco, it’s a hub for many things that people love about Mexican culture. The city hosts a sizable annual pride celebration every June, extensive queer nightlife, and a year-round warm climate.   Passport asked Oscar Morales, deputy director of public relations and promotions at the Guadalajara Visitors and Conventions Bureau, about the city’s growth as an…

For people who love to travel, budgeting is a constant necessity. Making sure you can fit in all the adventure and excitement that you’re seeking is worth taking the time to figure out what the best techniques are to travel in a cost effective way. Here is some advice on how to get the most for your money when traveling. Flights The New York Times’ expert budget travel writer, Elaine Glusac gave some of her top tips as the resident “Frugal Traveler” in a recent podcast. Let’s break it down. For those looking for a pre-end-of-year vacation, Gluscac advises traveling…

Though you might think that there couldn’t possibly be any more ancient ruins to explore in Rome, a 2,000 year old tunnel that functioned as a passageway for Roman emperors to enter and exit the Colosseum is now open to the public. The tunnel, known historically as the Passage of Commodus, is a 180-foot corridor that courses beneath the amphitheater. It was utilized by emperors and high profile guests to access their seats in the imperial box without navigating crowds. The tunnel is named after Emperor Commodus, a merciless emperor made famous today by the 2000 film Gladiator. Commodus served…

Portugal has been voted Europe’s best destination in Europe by the World Travel Awards, making this the country’s sixth win since 2017. Porto and Lisbon were also recognized as premiere city destinations.  Portugal Secretary of State for Tourism, Trade and Services said the win “reflects the work, dedication and quality of all the professionals who, on a daily basis, make tourism one of the main pillars of our economy.”  Portugal continues to win hearts and spots on hot lists due to its balanced blend of culinary offerings, beach and city life, impressive accommodations, and historical allure. Whether you’re trying a surf…

Another day has passed and you haven’t bought an old villa in Tuscany yet? Well, you still can. And in fact, small towns in Italy are indeed still paying people to move there. Radicondoli, a village close to the famous small city of Siena was once home to 3,000 residents, but now under 1,000. people live there. According to CNN, around 100 of the village’s 450 houses are vacant. Like many small Italian villages with the same ailment, Radicondoli is hoping to bring more life back into its narrow streets and sloping countryside hills by offering money to those who will…

Doctors in Sweden are now advocating travel as a wellness treatment in a new plan called “The Swedish Prescription.” The initiative partners with Swedish senior professor Yvonne Forsell to identify activities scientifically-proven to help you feel better. It invites people to reap the benefits of Sweden’s unique lifestyle “rooted in balance and with easy access to both nature and culture” making it an ideal location for a mind and body reset. Sweden is consistently ranked as a global leader for quality of life and often named one of the happiest countries in the world. According to Visit Sweden’s official report, “Sweden…

Clear introduced the new eGates system in August, at which time CEO Caryn Seidman Becker said in a statement: “The U.S. should be leading on security, hospitality, and the travel experience.” She went on to say: “This partnership with TSA is a powerful example of how public and private sectors can work together to enhance security and improve the aviation ecosystem.” The new eGates system conducts real-time biometric verification controlled by the TSA. It triggers gate access, conducts security vetting, and enforces government security requirements. Clear’s August statement noted that the system uses limited data and has no access to…

The U.S. Travel Association reports the federal government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1, has cost the country’s tourism sector upwards of $2.6 billion so far. The travel industry was already struggling this year with many travelers opting to avoid travel to the USA for fear of immigration and civil rights crackdowns. Plus, Donald Trump imposed a $250 visa integrity fee earlier this year for all non-immigrant visa holders visiting the country. President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council, Julia Simpson said in a statement: “While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the U.S. government…

Travelers to Taiwan will now have to complete a digital arrival identification card prior to departure. The new mandate went into effect on Oct. 1 and requires all travelers to Taiwan to complete their digital arrival cards within three days of their departure date if they are arriving in Taiwan by air or sea. One traveler can submit for their party, ensuring each traveler’s information is provided. Those who do not fill out the arrival card will not be able to proceed with immigration.  According to Travel Pulse, the requirement allows for the elimination of the paper version of the…

Europe’s new Entry and Exit System (EES), which begins this month, will require travelers to provide a fingerprint or face scan for entry to countries in the European Union. Though full implementation of the EES will not take effect until April 2026, border crossings and airports are testing out the new technology this fall. If the system operates successfully, eventually all 29 EU member states will utilize fingerprints and face scans to document traveler movements. According to Travel and Leisure, the new program is intended to “modernize borders, combat identity fraud, and easily identify travelers who overstay their visas.” Data on…

The political group Amsterdam Has a Choice (Amsterdam Heeft een Keuze) filed a suit against the city urging officials to do more to combat mass tourism. According to Travel Pulse, a 2021 bill attempted to curb an influx of stays at 18 million, but reports indicate that in 2024 the city saw 23 million overnight stays, and projections for 2026 are as high as 25 million. A statement from Amsterdam Has a Choice reads: “Amsterdammers are fed up. Local shops are giving way to souvenir shops and Nutella stores. Houses and public buildings are being converted into hotels, and you…