Category: Uncategorized

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

US Still Holds Top Spot as World’s Strongest Travel & Tourism Market

In 2023, the United States (US) was once again recognised as the world’s most powerful travel and tourism market, contributing a record $2.36 trillion to the economy, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Trends Report. Even with slower spending from international visitors, the U.S. nearly doubled the economic contribution…
Read more

New Zealand Hikes Tourist Tax: How It Will Affect Your Visit

Planning a trip to New Zealand? Starting October 1, 2024, the cost of entry will be significantly higher, with the country’s International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) set to nearly triple. The IVL, originally introduced in 2019 to support environmental conservation efforts, will increase from NZ$35 to NZ$100. This hike comes despite international tourist…
Read more

Edinburgh Set to Implement Tourist Tax by 2026

Edinburgh is poised to become the first city in Scotland to implement a tourist tax. Scheduled for introduction in the summer of 2026, this new levy aims to generate significant revenue for the city, providing much-needed funds to address critical issues like housing and urban infrastructure. With an expected income of £45-50 million annually by…
Read more

EU Decides Against New Border Controls Amid Mpox Concerns

According to European Health authorities, additional border controls in the EU are an unnecessary response to the latest Mpox variant  (Monkeypox), citing the virus’s low risk to the wider population. During a recent meeting, the Health Security Committee (HSC) of the European Commission, in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)…
Read more

Sweden To Lower Salary Requirement for EU Blue Card

Sweden’s government has decided to reduce the minimum salary needed to qualify for an EU Blue Card by 10,000 kronor per month. This move aligns Swedish law with the EU’s updated Blue Card Directive, aimed at attracting more high-skilled workers to the European Union. Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden’s Migration Minister, emphasised that this change is…
Read more