News about tourism: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
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A tourist from Lipetsk recorded a short video for her friend while standing in the queue at the checkpoint of Denpasar airport in Bali. Cameras recorded the filming in this area, after which the woman was detained and forcibly expelled from the country. According to Mash, the law provides for a fine of up to $300 and up to a year in prison for such a violation.
Javlon TursunovEuronews Travel journalist Fakhriya M. Suleiman spent a week at the Maldivian resorts OBLU Nature Helengeli by SENTIDO and OBLU Select Sangeli. The report covers snorkeling on house reefs, encounters with spinner dolphins, Maldivian and South Asian cuisine, ELE|NA Ayur spa programs, as well as practical details: the IMUGA form, a visa on arrival for up to 30 days and transfers by speedboat and seaplane from Velana airport. Euronews Travel journalist Fakhriya M. Suleiman spent a week at the Maldivian resorts OBLU Nature Helengeli by SENTIDO and OBLU Select Sangeli. The report covers snorkeling on house reefs, encounters with spinner dolphins, Maldivian and South Asian cuisine, ELE|NA Ayur spa programs, as well as practical details: the IMUGA form, a visa on arrival for up to 30 days, and transfers by speedboat and seaplane from Velana Airport.
Aziz KarimovAirbnb has updated its rules for hosts: starting November 20, they may not require guests to do work normally performed by a housekeeper — stripping bed linens, taking trash off the property, or washing and putting away dishes. Hosts will also no longer be able to fine guests or bar them from using listed amenities.
Javlon TursunovThe IrAero airline will open flights to the Chinese resort of Sanya from Chita and Blagoveshchensk from December 10, 2026, on Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft with a technical stopover in Hefei. Flights from Chita will operate on Thursdays, and from Blagoveshchensk on Fridays.
Javlon TursunovExpert of the Russian Union of Travel Industry Mikhail Abasov said that Montenegro will suffer noticeable losses after introducing visas for Russians from November 1. According to his data, in 2025 Russians accounted for 8% of all foreign arrivals in the country, and the decline in demand is already visible in summer 2026 statistics.
Sevara AzamovaOver the past decade, Qatar has expanded its hospitality industry — new luxury hotels, restaurants and a growing number of foreign guests. After more than 5 million tourists in 2025, the focus is shifting to experiences that will make visitors want to return. At the Hospitality Qatar 2026 exhibition, 120 companies are presenting their solutions, including Spanish firms, among them a Barcelona-based technology company working with Visit Qatar.
Sevara AzamovaPresident Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed projects for the construction of the city of Yangi Karshi covering 5,200 hectares and a tourist complex along the Karshi Main Canal. The new city is conceived as an expansion of Karshi with a long-term capacity of up to 1 million residents, and the regional khokimiyat will be relocated there.
Javlon TursunovThe tourism agency Go Vilnius has proposed the 'Europe's Slowest Marathon' campaign: on 12–13 December 2026, residents and visitors of the Lithuanian capital will be able to walk routes from 3 to 42.195 km without registration, stopping for cinnamon buns and festive lights. Digital route maps will be available until 3 January 2027.
Javlon TursunoveasyJet holidays is offering a £66.50 (€79.40) discount on package holidays, covering the cost of a child's first UK passport. Conditions: one child under 18 months per booking, booking by 26 November, travel by 31 October 2028. According to the company, the number of travelling infants in 2026 grew by 10% compared with 2025.
Javlon TursunovNational Geographic has published its annual 'Best of the World' list for 2027. It includes 25 destinations, six of which are in Europe: Vestland (Norway), Tricity (Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot, Poland), Leipzig (Germany), Normandy (France), Santander (Spain) and Dumfries and Galloway (Scotland).
Javlon TursunovAt a meeting on the socio-economic development of Kashkadarya region on October 22, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said the first phase of the Gelon ski resort, being created with investors from Tatarstan, should open in 2027. Since the beginning of 2026, the region has been visited by 2.5 million tourists, 500,000 of them in Gelon. Agencies have been tasked with preparing a master plan for the development of six villages within a month and starting projects worth $50 million from March 1, 2027.
Sevara AzamovaThe Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan reported that Google Pay is already operating in the country, while the Apple Pay launch is expected in the coming days. Technical integration is being carried out by the Central Bank, commercial banks and the Humo and Uzcard payment systems. The goal is to simplify payments for foreign tourists. Integration with China's Alipay+ is also underway, and a link between UZQR and India's UPI is being discussed.
Sevara AzamovaPeru's Ministry of Culture has abolished the advance ticket booking system for Machu Picchu. Now a purchase on the official Tu Boleto website must be completed within 15 minutes, otherwise the booking is cancelled. Tickets have become strictly personal, visitor limits remain in place, and the system is operating in a test mode.
Sevara AzamovaAccording to WTTC data cited by Visual Capitalist, the US topped the ranking of the largest tourism economies in 2025 with $2.63 trillion, ahead of China ($1.75 trillion) by $880 billion. Germany became Europe's leader, while Japan received a record 42.7 million foreign tourists.
Sevara AzamovaBlogger Aiza-Liluna Ai stated in her Telegram channel that she does not understand those who want to fly to Paris in 2026, and sharply criticized the city. Her statement came amid mass protests in France, accompanied by arson and clashes with police.
Javlon TursunovIn an interview with Gazeta, BCG Managing Director Suresh Subudhi and BCG Director in Tashkent Vasily Triandafilidi discussed the prospects of Uzbekistan's aviation: market growth of 16% per year, turning airports into economic platforms, dependence on imported jet fuel, PPP experience, and barriers to domestic flights.
Sevara AzamovaFrance's tourism industry is worried over riots in Nice, Paris and Lyon. According to MKG Consulting, between 19 and 20 October the lead of Paris hotels in bookings compared with 2025 fell sharply. The US, China and Germany advised their citizens to be cautious. Experts assess the consequences depending on how long the unrest lasts.
Sevara AzamovaThe UAE Federal Tax Authority, together with operator Planet, has introduced an artificial intelligence-based platform that reduces the tourist VAT refund period from nine days to one working day. According to FTA head Abdulaziz Al Mulla, this enhances the country's attractiveness as a destination for tourism and shopping.
Sevara Azamova
