AGP Executive Report

Weather Disruptions: Deadly floods hit Greece’s Rhodes and caused ferry cancellations; Piraeus sailings are gradually resuming, but travellers should check schedules before setting out. Autumn Escapes: Seville is averaging 28.9°C this autumn, while Athens has had little rain, making both appealing for a quieter city break. Beach Rules: La Laguna in Tenerife has banned smoking, camping and disruptive noise at coastal spots, with fines of up to €3,000. Accessible Tourism: Spain’s Tourist Office will become WTM London’s first accessibility partner, promoting more inclusive travel and visitor support. Flight Updates: New winter routes from French airports include services to Seville, Málaga, Prague and Cairo. Passenger Support: A survey found 57% of disrupted air passengers needing onward travel arranged it themselves, while many faced long waits and high transport costs. Antalya’s Season: The Turkish resort city has welcomed around 14 million foreign visitors so far this year, with October bringing more affordable stays than peak summer.

Rhodes Floods: Flash floods have killed one person on the Greek island, swept away vehicles and prompted a state of emergency. Roads are inundated and schools closed as crews assess damage. Tourism Backlash: Barcelona residents are protesting soaring housing costs and mass tourism, blaming short-term rentals for squeezing the local housing market. ETIAS Warning: The EU travel authorisation is not yet open for applications, but more than 150 fake sites are reportedly offering it. UK travellers should wait for the official launch. Cruise Expansion: Royal Caribbean plans its first year-round European season in 2028–29, with seven ships sailing across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Canary Islands. Antalya Draws Visitors: The Turkish resort region has welcomed about 14 million foreign tourists so far this year, despite geopolitical and economic headwinds.

Greece Travel Disruption: Severe storms have brought flooding, power cuts and winds above 100 km/h; ferries from Athens and Lavrio are halted, and travellers are urged to follow local alerts. Spain Holiday Costs: From December 1, some furnished holiday rentals for stays of up to 30 nights will face a 10% VAT charge, potentially raising bills in popular destinations. Flight Connections: Ryanair is extending Edinburgh–Milan, Tirana and Warsaw flights through winter and adding frequency on 13 routes. Separately, Lufthansa is reportedly ahead in the race for a stake in TAP Air Portugal. Germany Visa Advice: Eligible applicants for selected long-stay visas, including student and family-reunion visas, can apply online before booking an appointment; the portal does not cover every visa type. Food-Focused Trips: Italy, Greece and Portugal topped Condé Nast Traveller’s reader poll of the world’s best food destinations. Malta Wellness: Valletta’s Iniala hotel has launched WITHIN, a luxury wellbeing and longevity concept combining medical services, fitness and spa treatments.

Rail Disruption: An AVE train fire near Ricla forced 283 people to evacuate and halted Madrid–Barcelona high-speed services, disrupting holiday travel. Border Warning: The delayed ETIAS travel permit is not yet open for applications, ABTA warns; more than 150 scam sites are already posing as official services. Weather Alert: Greece issued a red warning for torrential rain, hail and winds reaching 60mph, with schools closing as the storm approaches. Where to Go: Posada de Valdeón offers historic village charm and access to mountain trails in Spain’s Picos de Europa National Park. Tourism Business: Iberostar reported a 7% rise in global sales in the first nine months of 2026, with sales up more than 10% in the Canary and Balearic Islands.

Rail Disruption: A fire on a Renfe high-speed train halted Madrid–Barcelona services for about five hours during Spain’s holiday-weekend return rush, stranding thousands; all 283 passengers were evacuated and no injuries were reported. Border Delays: Airlines and airports are urging EU changes to the Entry/Exit System after waits at some Schengen crossings reached five hours, warning that biometric checks continue to disrupt journeys. Travel Safety: Police in Tarragona are investigating the death of a British tourist who fell down a hostel stairwell; the circumstances remain unclear. Flights and Destinations: Ryanair plans to end its London–Bremen route in April 2027, cutting the city’s direct UK link. Sofia has been named Europe’s top city-break destination for 2027, while Mallorca is attracting more high-spending visitors for cycling holidays. Cruise Tourism: Lisbon has won Europe’s Best Cruise Destination title for the third time. Holiday Spending: UK travel group Abta says 88% of Britons took a holiday this year, but nearly one in three plan to spend less on overseas travel in 2027.

Travel Disruption: A fire on an AVE train near Ricla forced the evacuation of 283 passengers and halted services on part of Spain’s Madrid–Barcelona route; no serious injuries were initially reported. Jet2 is also ending its Manchester–La Palma flights on October 30 and has scrapped a planned Stansted service, citing a route review. Airport Queues: The EU’s migration commissioner wants Brussels Airport’s passport-control delays fixed before Christmas after waits reached five hours, with peak arrivals far exceeding current processing capacity. Costs and Access: Spain plans to introduce a tourist tax in December that could raise holiday costs by up to 10%. Finland is urging EU states to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians while the war in Ukraine continues; no bloc-wide ban is in force. Tourism Investment: Bulgaria is working on a fast-track process to coordinate approvals for tourism projects, aiming to attract investment and improve regional transport links.

Air Routes: Ryanair has opened bookings on 29 summer 2027 routes, including Athens–Turin and Norwich–Malaga. Jet2, meanwhile, will end its Manchester–La Palma flights on October 30, only six months after launch, and says affected customers can rebook or seek a refund. Visitor Demand: China’s extended autumn holiday boosted long-haul travel to Europe. Trip.com data shows average stays rising to 16.1 days, from 14.8 a year earlier. Spain Stays: From December, some holiday rentals providing hotel-style services will face VAT, which could add to guests’ bills. Schengen Visas: EU plans to tighten tourist visa rules for Russian citizens, with restrictions expected in 2027. Venice Tourism: Local hoteliers say the city needs stronger civic services and more overnight visitors to ease the pressure of day-tripping crowds.

Schengen Visas: The EU is preparing tighter rules for Russian tourists, with a proposal expected in January 2027. Around 478,000 Schengen visas were issued to Russian citizens last year, prompting security concerns among member states. New Flight Route: Exeter Airport will add twice-weekly Ryanair flights to Porto next summer, opening up northern Portugal for city breaks and trips to the Douro Valley. Winter Flights: easyJet is cutting another 700,000 winter seats, leaving travellers with fewer options. Tourism Pressures: Spain plans to apply new VAT to tourist rentals from December, while Barcelona is advancing a proposal to raise property tax on holiday lets by 150%. Industry Outlook: WTTC forecasts European travel and tourism will grow 3.1% in 2026, while urging stronger cooperation and smoother travel.

Air Travel Disruption: A deadly attack on Riyadh airport killed 12 people and injured 309, disrupting flights across Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Travellers connecting through the region should check with their airlines before departure. New European Route: Vietjet has launched twice-weekly Prague–Hanoi flights, with a stop in Almaty. Prague is the airline’s first European destination. Schengen Visas: EU plans to propose tighter visa rules for Russian visitors in January, citing security concerns. Separately, Gulf states expect progress towards starting a process to waive Schengen visas for citizens of five GCC countries at an EU-GCC summit on October 24. Tourism Outlook: Europe’s travel and tourism sector is forecast to grow 3.1% in 2026, outpacing the wider economy, according to the WTTC, which has called for stronger investment, digital visas and a skilled workforce. Autumn Getaways: The Canary Islands expect milder weather on Sunday, with temperatures reaching 26–27°C and occasional showers. Fuerteventura is also drawing attention for October sunshine and direct flights from East Midlands Airport.

Lesvos Rescue: A German tourist was treated for burns after his boat caught fire and sank off Lesvos; a nearby vessel rescued him, and he was reported out of immediate danger. Barcelona Rentals: The city has approved a proposal for property-tax surcharges of up to 150% on licensed holiday flats, depending on how many an owner holds. The measure still needs municipal authorisation as officials seek to curb tourist accommodation and ease housing pressures. Athens on the Rise: The Greek capital is drawing renewed attention, with its airport recording more than four million passengers in August. Visitors are also looking beyond the main sights to neighbourhoods such as Exarcheia. Quieter Greek Islands: Alonissos is being promoted as a less-visited alternative to the famous islands, offering beaches, villages and access to a major marine park. Travel Outlook: Europe’s tourism sector is forecast to grow 3.1% in 2026, ahead of the wider economy, according to WTTC figures. Getting There: Air France plans direct Paris flights to Nashville and San Diego from May 2027, while threatened Ouigo strikes could disrupt Spain’s November and December long weekends.

Air Travel: British Airways has revealed redesigned cabins for its A380s, including new seats across all classes. The first refurbished aircraft is expected to enter service in the coming months. Icelandair will add seasonal nonstop flights between St. Louis and Reykjavík, with connections across Europe, and bring Madrid back to its network in 2027. Family Travel: The UK is considering rules requiring airlines to seat children under 14 beside an accompanying adult at no extra cost, and to waive fees for correcting booking-name errors. Tourism Trends: Croatia says it has welcomed more than 20 million visitors in 2026. Greece is expanding mountain tourism beyond experienced climbers, while a Condé Nast Traveller readers’ poll named it the world’s best country. Disruption Watch: Strikes threaten Spain’s Ouigo services on November and December long weekends, and a nationwide strike is planned for November 11. Travellers should check services before setting off. Cruise Caution: Low Danube water levels disrupted TUI sailings, leaving some passengers to travel by coach instead of ship; the company says its terms do not guarantee refunds when buses complete the itinerary. Industry Outlook: WTTC says European travel and tourism is set to grow 3.1% in 2026, outpacing the global economy.

Greece in the Spotlight: Greece was named the world’s best country for 2026 in Condé Nast Traveller’s readers’ awards, while growing interest in Mount Olympus points to a wider appeal beyond beaches — from easy nature outings to serious hikes. Travel Disruption: Ouigo train strikes in Spain threaten six days of high-speed travel around autumn and winter long weekends, affecting routes including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Málaga. Tourism Outlook: Málaga hoteliers expect a tougher autumn, with occupancy forecast to fall in October and November after years of record tourism. Greener Destinations: Benidorm won a 2028 European Green Leaf award for balancing mass tourism with environmental protection; Zaragoza will be European Green Capital.

Spain Travel Disruption: A nationwide strike planned for November 11 could disrupt flights, trains, buses and tourist attractions; travellers should check for updates before setting off. Cross-Channel Rail: Virgin has revealed plans for 20 daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030, potentially adding 7.5 million seats a year and challenging Eurostar. Tourism Rankings: Spain ranks third globally in the 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index, with gains in tourist services, air transport and sustainability. Greece and Croatia: Greece is heading for another record tourism year, while Croatia welcomed 20.1 million visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 2% year on year. Holiday Planning: easyJet holidays is adding thousands of European city-break hotels to flight bookings, with package bookings covered by ABTA and ATOL. Insurance Reminder: A British holidaymaker in Skiathos faced a £28,000 bill after a quad-bike accident because her policy did not cover the vehicle.

Greek Food Tourism: Michelin is expanding its Greece guide beyond Athens, adding Thessaloniki and Santorini to spotlight regional cuisine and support year-round visits. Destination Strategy: A tourism forum in Santorini and Mykonos is seeking ways to promote experiences beyond the islands’ famous images; Greece was also named the world’s best tourism country in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 readers’ awards. Air Links: Air France plans new Nashville and San Diego routes in May 2027, while Icelandair will connect St. Louis with Reykjavik and onward to more than 35 European destinations. Travel Disruption: A planned general strike in Spain next month could disrupt flights and public transport. Industry Outlook: WTTC forecasts Europe’s travel and tourism sector will grow 3.1% in 2026, outpacing the wider economy.

Air Travel: EU airlines will have to include a cabin bag in standard fares from October 2027, with travellers able to opt out for a lower price. Rail Connections: A new booking partnership lets Eurostar passengers continue overnight from Brussels to Berlin, Prague, Milan, Lake Como, Dresden or Hamburg on one ticket. Tourism Outlook: Europe’s travel sector is forecast to grow 3.1% in 2026, outpacing the wider economy, according to WTTC figures unveiled in Malta. Food Tourism: Michelin is expanding its Greece guide beyond Athens to include Thessaloniki and Santorini, with selections due October 20. Visitor Health: A UK report says sewage was discharged into waterways for more than three million hours in 2025, raising concerns about risks to swimmers and coastal visitors. Spain’s Housing Crunch: The crisis has helped trigger a snap election, as residents in popular destinations warn that short-term rentals are worsening pressure on housing.

Greek Tourism: Santorini is looking beyond its famous caldera views, promoting gastronomy, wine, culture, nature and wellness to attract travellers seeking richer experiences. Air Links: Aegean Airlines plans Athens–Damascus flights from Dec. 2, with services to Tripoli and Benghazi targeted for May 2027, subject to approvals. Travel Checks: Spain has extended temporary controls on air and sea arrivals from Italy through Oct. 22; affected travellers should check their documents before departure. Rail Travel: Eurail has adopted the Interrail name worldwide, bringing international visitors under one brand; existing passes remain valid. Tourism Pressures: The death of an 87-year-old Madrid woman after her eviction, reportedly linked to plans for tourist apartments, has fuelled protests and renewed debate over holiday rentals and housing. Industry Outlook: WTTC forecasts Europe’s travel and tourism sector will grow 3.1% in 2026, outpacing the wider economy.