Philippines Tourism Budget & Travel Tax: In a Senate hearing on the 2027 DOT budget, Sen. JV Ejercito urged the Philippines to go beyond promotion and fix airport accessibility and competitiveness, while Tieza warned that abolishing the travel tax would disrupt funding for tourism infrastructure and airport upgrades. Tourist Safety in the Spotlight: A 63-year-old American tourist died after a bar fight in Panglao, Bohol, underscoring ongoing concerns about visitor security. Maritime Tourism Push (Indonesia): Indonesia’s tourism minister highlighted how the country plans to scale up sustainable maritime tourism, citing the need for infrastructure, skills, safety standards and coordinated sustainability across its vast archipelago. World Tourism Day Themes: Cyprus’ Stek called for faster adaptation toward higher-value, tech- and AI-enabled tourism, while Nepal’s tourism remains subdued after deadly Bhotekoshi floods. GCC Numbers & Digital Shift: GCC-Stat reported 20m+ intra-GCC trips in 2025 and rising revenues, linking future growth to data, digital tools and AI. Eastern Caribbean Jobs Gap: An ILO study says tourism’s big GDP and employment role is held back by informality, weak protections and skills gaps. Appointments & Policy: The Bahamas named Jackson Weech as Director General of Tourism, effective Oct. 1. Travel Disruption Alerts: Thailand faces major flood disruption after extreme rainfall, with travel advice urging caution.