Gulf Tourism Diplomacy: Bahrain hosted GCC tourism ministers, with Qatar and Bahrain pushing stronger cooperation, joint packages, and faster rollout of a unified Gulf tourist visa. Tourism Policy Shockwaves (UK): England’s new powers for mayors to levy overnight visitor taxes sparked fresh backlash from hospitality groups and industry bodies, warning of higher costs and competitiveness damage. Tourism Tax in Practice (London): London’s hotel industry is urging the GLA to pause, saying economic impact assessments haven’t been done while implementation planning appears to be moving ahead. Destination Finance (Curaçao): Curaçao’s planned tourist entry tax is projected to bring in XCG 82m in 2027, rising toward XCG 126m by 2030, though regulators flag implementation uncertainty. Travel Safety & Disruption (Nepal/China): Flash floods and mudslides killed dozens and left hundreds missing, including many foreign tourists, disrupting travel around the Mount Kailash pilgrimage route. Sustainability in Hotels: Sofitel Dubai Downtown earned its first Green Globe certification, highlighting ongoing sustainability and community efforts. Air Access Boost (Red Sea): Red Sea Global will launch Abu Dhabi–Red Sea International Airport flights from Oct. 4, improving connectivity for its resort portfolio. Visitor Experience & Access (Qiddiya): Qiddiya City signed MoUs with major travel partners to streamline booking and arrival access for domestic and international visitors. Tourism Growth & Climate: August hit record heat globally, with implications for travel planning and destination operations. Industry Moves (Loyalty): Hyatt and Delta teamed up for end-to-end loyalty perks across stays and flights. Local Tourism Services: Marquette, Michigan introduced seasonal off-leash dog permits for its Tourist Park.