Travel news

Chinese authorities have decided that foreign tourists aged 14 to 70 may now have their fingerprints taken upon arrival in the country. Read more...

With a 20% increase in visitors every year, Iceland is starting to feel the strain—on top of environmental impacts, inflation, and overcrowded accommodations. As a result, the Icelandic government is now considering ways to better regulate tourism, like introducing taxes or visitor limits. Read more...

After several months of delay, Madagascar has just launched an electronic entry visa for the island, available online. It allows tourists to stay for 30 (35 €), 60 (40 €), or 90 days (50 €). Read more...

To simplify administrative procedures for travelers, the Guinean government has just adopted an online visa system. This tourist visa is valid for 90 days on site for roughly 75 €. In practice, it’s issued within 72 hours, and once printed, you’ll need to present it at Conakry Airport, where authorities will collect biometric data (photo and fingerprints). Read more...

France’s first ski resorts will open their slopes to skiers this Saturday, November 23, 2024.

Val Thorens, Tignes, and the Grands Montets area in Chamonix are kicking off the ski season. Read more ...

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris will reopen to the public on December 8th after five years of intensive restoration. The announcement has already sparked significant interest among both international tourists and French visitors.

Before the tragic fire on April 15, 2019—which deeply moved people and mobilized numerous patrons—Notre-Dame was one of Paris’s most iconic sites. With 12 million annual visitors, according to data from the Parisian Tourism Economic Observatory, it was the capital’s most popular cultural attraction, even outranking prestigious landmarks like the Louvre Museum.

The reopening of this Gothic masterpiece could mark a new chapter in Paris’s tourist appeal. Read more...

In Finnish Lapland, in Rovaniemi, the iconic Santa Claus Village is facing an unexpected challenge: a lack of snow, which is essential for the Christmas magic and the region's tourist appeal.

With record temperatures reaching up to 11.1°C in November and persistent rain, climate change is disrupting not only the landscapes but also the lives of reindeer and Arctic residents.

Despite this, tourists are flocking to meet Santa Claus and hoping to admire the northern lights, reflecting the global attachment to this unique destination, now weakened by climate change. Read more...

According to the NGO Transport and Environment, Trenitalia tops the ranking of European railway companies, followed by Switzerland’s SBB and the Czech RegioJet. SNCF comes in 5th place, praised for its night trains and passenger experience but penalized by frequent delays and the perceived poor quality of its subsidiary Ouigo. In last place, Eurostar is criticized for its high fares and limited service. The NGO is calling for reforms and investments to make train travel more attractive in Europe. Read more...

I would’ve preferred to post this in the "Travel News" section, but it’s not open to new discussions. Still, this is definitely sensitive news directly related to travel.

"With growth twice as fast as the global economy, tourism has a heavy impact on climate balance. In this regard, aviation poses a specific challenge." (From Le Parisien with AFP)

You can read the rest HERE.

The 2024 AirHelp Score ranking highlights Air France (22nd), Air Corsica (48th), and Air Caraïbes (89th) among the world's airlines. Air France has improved with a score of 7.17, thanks to strong customer satisfaction (8.1) and punctuality (7.1), but needs to work on complaint handling (6.3). Air Corsica makes a notable debut, marked by solid punctuality (7.7) but weak claims processing (4.4). Meanwhile, Air Caraïbes has taken a sharp dive, penalized by a steep drop in complaint management (2.9). The global podium is dominated by Brussels Airlines, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines. Read more...

A study reveals that 60% of French people opt for trips within France, reflecting a strong preference for domestic tourism. Additionally, 51% want to reduce their carbon footprint, confirming a growing awareness of environmental issues. Trends also show a diversification in accommodation choices, with a rise in independent rentals and an emerging interest in artificial intelligence for travel planning—though its adoption remains limited. Read more...

North Korea is diving into tourism development with the planned opening of its first international beach resort on the east coast, as part of the Wonsan-Kalma project. This hotel complex, overseen by Kim Jong Un, marks a step in the country's economic opening, according to North Korean state media. After reopening its borders in 2023, the country is targeting both North Korean and international tourists, particularly Russians, with whom relations have recently strengthened. While tourism remains restricted, this project highlights the regime's growing interest in the tourism industry. Read more...

In 2025, several destinations are adopting new rules for visas and passport validity. Tunisia, Israel, Cambodia, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Uzbekistan, China, and Thailand are among the countries affected. These changes include the introduction of e-visas and extended passport validity requirements. For more details on these updates, check out the full article.

In 2024, Japan welcomed 36.8 million foreign tourists, far surpassing its previous 2019 record. This performance is driven by a weak yen, ambitious tourism policies, and the appeal of its landscapes, traditional and modern culture. Despite this momentum, the country faces overtourism challenges, particularly in Kyoto, where measures like increasing tourist taxes aim to promote more sustainable tourism. The government aims to double visitor numbers by 2030 to strengthen this key sector of the economy. Read more...

In 2024, international tourism reached 1.4 billion arrivals, marking a return to 99% of pre-pandemic levels. Among the fastest-growing destinations are Qatar (+137%), El Salvador (+81%), Saudi Arabia (+69%), Ethiopia (+40%), Morocco (+35%), Guatemala (+33%), and the Dominican Republic (+32%). Tourism revenue hit $1.6 trillion USD, setting a new record. The upward trend is expected to continue in 2025, with growth estimated between 3% and 5%. Read the rest of the article...

Space tourism took major strides in 2024, with the market experiencing strong growth, projected to reach $1,526.9 million USD by the end of the year.

Key highlights included the first private lunar landing with Intuitive Machines' Odysseus mission, SpaceX's record of three launches in a single day, and the first spacewalk by a tourist during the Polaris Dawn mission.

Virgin Galactic continued its suborbital flights before pausing operations to prepare its next-generation spacecraft. China made history with the return of lunar samples via Chang’e 6, while Europe launched Ariane 6 and Vega C.

Donald Trump’s return to the White House is expected to accelerate space tourism development, with an ambitious goal: sending humans to Mars before the end of his term.

Projections for 2033 forecast massive sector expansion, with the market estimated to exceed $40 billion USD. Read more...

Starting May 1, 2025, Thailand plans to introduce a Digital Arrival Card, an electronic arrival form to be completed before departure. Inspired by Cambodia’s system, this formality aims to digitize the collection of traveler information. The exact details (whether it will be mandatory, the form’s content, submission deadline) are still to be confirmed. In 2024, Thailand welcomed over 25 million visitors—a figure on the rise but still below the 2019 record (39 million). Read more...

Europe is packed with spectacular carnivals where traditions and festivities blend in vibrant, colorful parades. In 2025, several must-see events will draw visitors, including:

1. Cologne Carnival (Karneval) in Germany 2. Menton Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron) in France 3. Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival in the Canary Islands 4. Binche Carnival in Belgium 5. Nice Carnival in France 6. Cádiz Carnival in Spain 7. Basel Carnival (Fasnacht) in Switzerland 8. Dunkirk Carnival in France 9. Rijeka Carnival in Croatia 10. London Carnival in the UK

A great opportunity to discover unique celebrations without heading to Venice, which is already well-known to the general public. See the slideshow

Since November 2024, Skopje Airport (North Macedonia) has introduced the "Zen Dog" program, featuring Dino, a 4-year-old Golden Retriever, to help anxious passengers before their flight. Accompanied by his trainer, this friendly dog roams the airport wearing a vest inviting travelers to pet him. The initiative, led by TAV Airports, aims to make the travel experience more serene and has received very positive feedback. Skopje is the first of the operator’s fifteen airports to test this compassionate approach. Read more ...

A recent ranking reveals the countries where travel costs the least in 2025. Laos tops the list with a daily budget of just 14 CHF (around 15 €).

💰 A study comparing the average cost of travel in 136 countries, including accommodation, food, and local transportation, highlights the most budget-friendly destinations. Laos ranks first, followed by Kazakhstan (18 €) and Rwanda (20 €).

On the other hand, Caribbean countries are the most expensive, with Barbados leading the way (319 €/day). In Europe, Switzerland and France are among the priciest destinations, at 242 € and 181 € per day, respectively.

Check out the article...

Travelers in 2025 are leaning toward immersive and original experiences. Here are 3 new trendy terms to casually drop in your next conversation 😉:

"Cowboy Core" is gaining popularity, with trips focused on country music and horseback riding across vast plains.

"Destination Dupes" offer less crowded and more affordable alternatives to overrun tourist spots, like Albania instead of the Greek islands.

Finally, "Goods Getaways" encourage tourists to discover gourmet products that have gone viral on social media—such as Japanese matcha or Dubai chocolate—by visiting their place of origin.

Check out the article

Dear members of VoyageForum,

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of François Boucher, the founder of VoyageForum.

We will remember his passion for travel, but most of all, the pride he took in this forum, which has become indispensable among travelers. While there may have been heated debates, we ask that you show respect for him.

François was still very active on the forum, especially in the technical development section. VoyageForum was his life’s work. He worked passionately to update the site and make up for the 4 years of closure due to the pandemic.

Today, VoyageForum has also lost its developer.

That’s why we’re reaching out to this community to continue François’s legacy. If there are any former or current developers among you who know PERL and would be willing to help, your support would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your loyalty.

Let’s keep this forum alive in his memory.

By 2030, the tourism sector is evolving with the rise of virtual agents, booking via social media, and the transformation of loyalty programs.

A recent study anticipates several major developments in the travel industry by 2030.

Virtual agents powered by artificial intelligence will become personalized assistants, capable of organizing trips based on travelers' individual preferences.

At the same time, social media will position itself as essential booking platforms, making it easier to purchase flight tickets directly through these channels.

Loyalty programs will also undergo a revolution thanks to NFTs, offering monetizable and diverse rewards.

Among the expected innovations are:

Fast and free Wi-Fi available on all flights The ability to explore your room in virtual reality before even arriving Eco-friendly accommodations featuring hanging gardens and green spaces 100% digitalized check-in and check-out, with no need to stop by the front desk Automatic refunds if the price of your ticket drops after purchase

Dear travelers,

VoyageForum needs you more than ever! To continue making it the biggest space for exchange, inspiration, and sharing, we want to better understand your desires and expectations.

Take a few moments to answer our survey and let’s build the future of VoyageForum together!

Thanks for your support! 🙂

The best time for a cruise depends on the destination and personal preferences, with plenty of options available year-round.

In January, ships are often less crowded, offering some great deals.

Valentine’s Day is perfect for romantic cruises to the Caribbean, the Seychelles, or French Polynesia. For a unique experience, Antarctica in February offers breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife.

In summer, the Arctic reveals pleasant temperatures and spectacular nature.

Finally, the holiday season can be a great opportunity to escape on a cruise and avoid the stress of traditional celebrations.

Read the article...

This forum was closed for a long time after COVID, then due to its sale by the previous owner. Since 2022, there have been notable changes for Russia. It became possible to travel to Russia as a tourist again after COVID restrictions ended in summer 2022. But before that, in March 2022, the EU and member countries cut air links with Russia, as well as train lines. They also cut Russian banks off from the Euro-American banking network—meaning cards and wire transfers.

EU-based insurers stopped offering policies for Russia. The Green Card for cars in Russia was also discontinued. Then the EU abolished the simplified visa regime agreement with Russia. All in all, a summary of the current practical aspects would be helpful.

I’ve been traveling to Russia regularly for about twenty years, and after the long COVID break, I resumed in autumn 2022.

Visa

The usual paper visa is much more expensive. On one hand, because the previous regime was scrapped, and on the other, because invitations for multi-entry visas are pricier. A single-entry 30-day visa costs 80 €. The multi-entry one is 240 €. To be sure you’ll get a 12-month multi-entry, it’s best to buy a telex invitation from the MID (Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), though there are few resellers. Prices vary depending on the seller.

E-visas are now available for Schengen passport holders. A big simplification for trips up to 16 days within a 60-day validity period. You can apply from 40 days up to 5 days before your desired date. Issued in up to four days. The site is https://evisa.kdmid.ru/ Cost: 50 €. Processed through an Emirati bank (United Arab Emirates).

Medical Insurance

Medical insurance with repatriation is required to get a visa. So you’ll need to buy a policy. This brings up payment methods. If you’re already familiar with Russia and have a Russian bank account, you can pay with your Russian card. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy from a site that accepts payments via a Belarusian bank—which means your bank must work with Belarus—or go through https://goingrus.com/fr/insurance

Transport from the EU

Minibus (marshrutka) from Kirkenes (Norway) to Murmansk. Schedules are coordinated with flights from Oslo, which arrive between 11:00 and 12:00. They wait on the right as you exit the airport. Some are chartered by groups and leave directly, but may have space—ask the driver. Otherwise, two companies run the route, with a stop in town at the corner of the Scandic, where they depart around 14:00 or 15:00. Payment in cash (NOK or RUB) to the driver. Main operator: https://borodinbus.com Bus from Tallinn (Estonia) to St. Petersburg. The border crossing is on the Narva River. The Russian road checkpoint has been closed since January 2024 for construction expected to last 2.5 years, so reopening is possible in summer 2026. In the meantime, it’s a two-bus journey: Tallinn-Narva, then walk across the bridge between the Estonian and Russian checkpoints at Ivangorod, followed by another bus. Several companies: Luxexpress, Ecolines, Baltic Shuttle, Anniston, СКСавто. Bus from Riga to Pskov or St. Petersburg (final destination). Departs from Riga’s bus station (behind the train station) daily between 18:00 and 19:00. Arrives in Pskov between 01:00 and 02:00 (Russian time). Company: СКСавто. There’s another bus around 21:00 with Ecolines, but it’s longer, with a long stop at the border. Bus from Gdańsk to Kaliningrad. Several buses per day. From the PKS bus station, behind Gdańsk’s central station, on the other side of the boulevard. From Kaliningrad, a 1-hour flight to St. Petersburg costs around 5000 RUB.

Basically, unless you’re planning to go to Murmansk and the Kola Peninsula—and possibly from Murmansk, flights to Arkhangelsk, then Nenetsia (Naryan-Mar), etc.—the three main crossing points with airports are Tallinn, Riga, and Gdańsk.

The Gdańsk-Kaliningrad bus is the fastest, and the ticket to St. Petersburg is very reasonable.

The Narva-Ivangorod route is the riskiest in terms of potential queues and crossing time. Holiday periods are especially risky. Last mid-June, I took a 14:00 bus from Tallinn. I’d bought a single-berth compartment on the Grand Express St. Petersburg-Moscow train, leaving at 23:00, with the idea of a good night’s rest before a Moscow-Magadan flight. A 7-hour queue at the border meant I arrived at St. Petersburg’s bus station at 23:00—missed the train, had to book a room, and spent time finding a reasonably priced flight to Moscow the next day for the same airport as my Magadan flight.

The Riga-Pskov route is a bit long but relaxed. If you get off in Pskov, you can still get decent sleep between 02:00 and 12:00. The Oktyabrskaya Hotel is cheap. I’ve also stopped in Izborsk. You ask the driver when boarding in Riga. The stop is on the federal highway—cross the road, and the main inn is 200m away. You can explore the medieval site the next morning before taking a bus to Pskov (30 km).

From Pskov, there are fast regional Lastochka trains—three or four per day—to St. Petersburg, taking 3.5 hours. Very comfortable and affordable. Also, two daily flights with Azimuth to Moscow-Vnukovo from 5000 RUB. A one-hour flight. It’s a section of Pskov’s military airfield, just a few kilometers from the city center.

Money

Cash. The EU issued a nonsensical decree: a ban on importing EU currency (euros, zloty, kroner, forints, etc.) except for personal travel use. This doesn’t make sense because as a citizen of a eurozone country, you *have* to have euros—cash or electronic (card). You can’t travel without them. The stipulation about a limit for personal use is absurd because personal use can mean anything from a hostel bed to a luxury hotel room, plus transport (flight tickets, train tickets in Russia), restaurants, etc. Estonian customs officers ask about this at the border when leaving. They ask in Estonian, then Russian, then English, depending. Since I cross with a French passport, I just say, "Sorry, I don’t understand," no matter what. Then they ask with a questioning look, "Euro?" and I shake my head. I haven’t been searched, but they do ask to glance in your bag. Russians with large suitcases often get checked. Cards and phone apps: if you have a Russian bank account.

Telephony and Internet

Roaming works but is pricey. Okay for calls and SMS, but very expensive for data. In that case, use an e-SIM with your home carrier if your phone supports it. Otherwise, look into prepaid rechargeable SIMs in Russia for data only—like SIM cards for mobile modems.

Russian SIM: Since this year (2025), as of March, it’s mandatory to be registered in the EBS (Unified Biometric System) to buy a SIM card. For a non-resident foreigner, this means first registering for a SNILS at an MFC (Multifunctional Center)—also called "My Documents." The SNILS is the pension center, which doesn’t require residency. After getting your SNILS number and certificate, you register on the public services portal, Gosuslugi. Finally, you register in the EBS system (voice sample—you read numbers—and a biometric facial photo).

Personal Car

The Green Card no longer covers Russia, and neither do EU-based insurers. But third-party liability insurance (OSAGO) is mandatory. Since the closure of the Russian checkpoint at Ivangorod for construction and the Finnish border closure, the routes are from Kirkenes in Norway, the Estonia-Pskov route, and—since the Belarus-Russia joint visa this year—the Belarus route, e.g., Poland-Terespol-Brest or Lithuania-Belarus. No OSAGO sales if you cross via Kirkenes. I didn’t see any at Shumilkino, the Russian checkpoint after Estonia toward Pskov. If you have a Russian card, you can buy online, of course. Otherwise, pay in cash on-site at certain company offices (specific forms aren’t available at all agencies) or online by paying to a third-party account outside Russia—with added fees.

Destination choices for summer 2025 are evolving, with some countries gaining popularity while others see a decline.

According to recent data, summer 2025 shows notable shifts in the preferences of French travelers. Spain, Greece, and France are seeing a drop in bookings compared to 2024. On the other hand, Tunisia (+11.2%), Italy (+10.6%), and especially Egypt (+36.1%) are experiencing a significant rise in popularity. The United Kingdom is also showing notable growth (+28.7%) among medium-haul destinations. For long-haul trips, the United States is surprising with a 17.3% increase in bookings, despite a complex geopolitical context. These trends reflect a diversification in travelers' choices for summer 2025. Read the article...

With expected crowds in countries like Croatia, Italy, Greece, or Spain, other destinations stand out for their tranquility and accessibility.

Recommended:

Berlin: for its cultural vibrancy

Warsaw: for its heritage and green spaces

Riga: for its architectural charm and relaxed atmosphere

Stockholm: for its balanced natural and urban setting

Slovenia: for its landscapes of mountains, lakes, and authentic small towns

These cities and regions let you enjoy a fulfilling stay while avoiding the tourist pressure of the most popular areas.

Read the article...

According to a monthly travel sales barometer, bookings to the United States dropped by 32% in April 2025 compared to the previous year, pushing the country down to 18th place among the most popular destinations, from 11th place the year before.

This decline is part of an overall drop in travel sales, with a 7.6% decrease across all destinations.

Despite airfare promotions and a favorable exchange rate for French travelers, the U.S. is struggling to attract visitors, possibly due to political considerations.

Meanwhile, destinations like Italy (+12%) and Tunisia (+3.7%) saw an increase in bookings.

Read the article

As summer 2025 approaches, a survey reveals that 50% of French people plan to go on vacation for at least a week, while 27% are still undecided and 23% don’t plan to go away at all.

The average budget for these vacations is 1 820 €, but 39% of vacationers are considering cutting back, mainly by limiting non-essential expenses like restaurants, shopping, or certain activities.

France remains the top destination for 68% of vacationers, followed by Europe (26%), especially among 18-34-year-olds, and non-European destinations (13%).

Among the new trends, "workation" (working from a vacation spot) appeals to 24% of vacationers, a figure that rises to 45% among 18-34-year-olds.

Alternative options like Wwoofing (working on farms in exchange for accommodation) interest 26% of young people aged 18-34.

Practices like Couchsurfing attract 13% of young travelers.

Finally, 19% of respondents see home exchanges as an interesting option, though few have tried it yet.

Read the article