News about Tourism
The winner of the national qualifying competition will earn the right to compete for the prestigious title of “European Capital of Culture 2033.” Any city in the country capable of presenting a high-quality and realistic cultural development strategy may participate in the competition. The criteria for evaluating candidate cities have been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Former prisons in various countries are being converted into hotels, museums, and cultural centers. Instead of being demolished, these historic buildings are preserved and repurposed for new functions, allowing these former places of confinement to become part of the tourism and cultural infrastructure.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup set a record not only for soccer but also for the short-term rental market. Over the 39 days of the tournament, owners of apartments and homes in the 16 host cities earned $1.33 billion in revenue—$276.7 million, or 26%, more than during the same period last year. This is according to data from the analytics company AirDNA.
The “Vacation Vouchers” program has officially launched in Moldova, allowing employers to provide their employees with discounted vouchers for vacations at tourist destinations throughout the country. The maximum value of a voucher in 2026 is 8,700 lei—up to 50% of the national average monthly wage.
Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan announced that he does not believe in the country’s industrialization and even expects the automotive parts manufacturing sector—which accounts for one-fifth of Moldova’s exports—to fail.
The Republic of Moldova’s development strategy is, in essence, “predetermined,” according to Prime Minister Vasile Tofan. He said that the country’s limited domestic market does not leave it with many options.
This fall, a new regional project called “Treasures of the East” will launch, dedicated to promoting the wines, cuisine, and tourist destinations of Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria. The initiative aims to bring together producers from the three countries and provide them with a common platform for promotion in international markets.
The Dniester River promenade in the Vadul-lui-Vodă recreation area is becoming increasingly popular. Residents of the capital and tourists can enjoy the Summer Theater, walking paths for fresh-air strolls, sports areas, family-friendly recreation spots, and children’s playgrounds.
For the first time in a long while, Turkey’s tourism industry has faced a decline in revenue. In the second quarter of 2026, tourism revenue fell by 2.6% year-over-year to $15.9 billion. At the same time, the number of foreign visitors declined, while Turkish residents themselves began traveling abroad for vacations significantly more often.
Paris has unexpectedly topped the global ranking of cities with the best street food. It surpassed traditional culinary destinations and took first place thanks to its wide variety of dishes and the high ratings of its establishments. These are the findings of a study by Radical Storage, which surveyed 6,897 street food vendors in the world’s 100 most popular cities.
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.
