News about Tourism
The first-ever World Cup featuring 48 national teams made history not only by crowning a new champion, but also for its record-breaking scale, high scoring, and a string of individual achievements by the top players.
The World Cup, which was hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico over the course of a month, drew mixed reviews in the international press. While the American media calls the tournament a historic success that has changed the country’s attitude toward soccer, Mexican publications note that the festivities in the stadiums ultimately failed to translate into an economic breakthrough. RBC has compiled a selection of the most notable media reactions.
The heat that accompanied the World Cup in the United States brought to light the issue of whether sports infrastructure is prepared for climate change. After the tournament, experts urged stadium owners to move away from relying on air conditioning and focus on modernizing the venues to make them safer for players and fans.
Tourists in Bucharest are booking apartments in buildings that Romanian authorities consider the most dangerous in the event of an earthquake. An investigation revealed more than 200 listings on Airbnb and Booking.com in buildings where renting out units is prohibited due to high risk.
Some destinations are overrun with tourists, while others remain virtually unknown.
Unusual national dishes are increasingly becoming a tool for promoting regions, helping to shape tourism brands and attract travelers. Foods that some consider exotic, while others view as part of everyday culture, are becoming a key element of the experience economy.
A medieval estate in Italy with its own winery and views of the Val d’Orcia valley topped the Travel + Leisure ranking.
In the first half of 2026, Italy maintained its leading position in the European tourism market: the number of tourist arrivals rose by 4.43% compared to the same period last year. Foreign tourists were the main driver of this growth.
Italy is stepping up oversight of the short-term rental market. The Guardia di Finanza has announced a large-scale campaign to identify property owners who are concealing income, violating property registration rules, or failing to comply with tax laws.
The rise in the number of tourists arriving by plane is driving up housing prices in EU countries. This effect is most pronounced in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, according to a study by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) commissioned by the European Federation for Transport and Environment.
MP Angela Munteanu-Požoga is encouraging Moldovans to travel more often within their own country.
On June 27, St. Petersburg hosted another spectacular and large-scale graduation celebration, “Scarlet Sails 2026.” The event is considered one of the largest and most spectacular in Europe.
The Russian rhythmic gymnastics team refused to compete in the Challenge Cup in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, after local authorities banned the use of Russian state symbols during the competition. The Russian Gymnastics Federation (RGF) announced this on June 26, accusing the organizers of violating the competition rules.
The Chisinau city government announced the creation of a new department within City Hall dedicated to tourism development and the promotion of the capital.
The Yerevan City Hall has decided to celebrate Vardavar in grand style—the famous Armenian holiday during which the entire city turns into a massive “water frenzy” and passersby are doused with water en masse. A total of 199.5 million drams (more than $500,000) has been allocated to organize the festivities.
On June 19, the National Tourism Office announced the launch of a new phase of grant funding for projects under the National “Sustainable Tourism” Program. The program is funded from the state budget as part of the Growth Plan for Moldova for 2025–2027 and is aimed at developing tourism.
Spain will direct tourists to less-visited regions to ease the strain on popular resorts. The country expects tourist arrivals to reach 100 million during the 2026 season.
Venice authorities plan to raise the entry fee for tourists to 50 euros on days of peak visitor numbers, a move that has already sparked a strong political and public backlash.
The world’s most-visited museum is facing major challenges that could require investments exceeding 1 billion euros. This was stated by the museum’s new president, Christophe Leribo, while speaking at a hearing in the French Senate.
The Investment Agency is launching the Republic of Moldova’s official digital platform: www.moldova.md. Designed as a modern showcase for the country, the platform offers a structured and user-friendly presentation of the Republic of Moldova for an international audience, as well as for the country’s citizens and the diaspora.
