Sleep Tourism Trend: Japan’s hotels are rolling out “sleep tourism” packages, pairing sleep “diagnosis” questionnaires with calming tea and high-performance pillows to attract health-focused travelers. Cruise Tax Crackdown: Greece’s tax authority carried out surprise checks on tourist cruise and excursion operators, flagging receipt and VAT-rate problems and issuing fines after about €92,000 in linked violations. Seaweed Disruption: Mexico is racing to clear record sargassum along the Caribbean coast, already topping 105,000 tonnes cleared this year and likely to exceed prior 2026 projections. Safety and Crime in Resorts: Albania arrested a suspect in the killing of a 20-year-old Portuguese tourist in Ksamil, while separate reports highlight ongoing concerns about tourist safety and venue licensing. Tourism Leadership Moves (US): West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey named Kayla Kessinger as Secretary of Tourism, backing continued growth and workforce programs. Volcano Warning (Europe): A US tourist died after a lightning strike while hiking Mount Etna in Sicily, underscoring hazards even when access rules are unclear. Tourism Policy Debate (UK): North Yorkshire businesses raised fresh worries about a proposed overnight visitor levy in York and the wider county. Wellness Branding (Costa Rica): Costa Rica launched its “Wellness Pura Vida” strategy, positioning nature-based reconnection and longevity experiences as a national tourism model. Aviation Link (Sri Lanka): Vietjet began Colombo–Vietnam service with three flights weekly, aiming to boost regional travel and tourism demand.