Welcome to our weekly Philippine and Global Hospitality and Tourism Industry News Updates for the week ending July 10, 2026.
Industry News Updates Headlines:
- Sustainable Tourism Skills Training Held in Boracay
- Seniors Tour Guide Program Extends To Angeles
- Asian Island Odyssey Lands In Philippines
- Filipino Restaurant Makes NZ Michelin Guide
- Toyo Eatery Accused Of Unfair Labor Practices
- Spanish Wildfires Kill 12 Tourists
- EU Will Not Suspend EES
- EES Is Working Says EU
- Italy Flights Cancelled As Etna Erupts
- EasyJet Airline Takeover Imminent
- Ryanair Passenger Sucked Out Of Window
- Indonesia To Extend Visa-Free Entry Scheme
- Italian Tourist Spot Bans Swimwear
- Italy Introduces Beach Booking System
Philippine Hospitality and Tourism Industry News Updates
Sustainable Tourism Skills Training Held in Boracay
Boracay was the latest tourist spot to host a forum on sustainable tourism capacity building this week.
Under the Department of Tourism Region VI’s Tourism Industry Skills Program the sessions focused on how tourism players can integrate sustainability and environmental approaches into their daily operations, plans and strategies.
The aim is for the industry to work towards a sustainable balance of improving service standards, championing cultural preservation and community welfare, and ensuring environmental protection.
Resource speaker, Dr. Freddie A. Quinito – a published author and multiple doctorate, with more than 20 years experience in the hospitality and education profession – delivered practical, technical and proven approaches to responsible tourism.
Seniors Tour Guide Program Extends To Angeles
The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) Community Tour Guiding Program for Senior Citizens has this week been extended to Angeles City.
The program was initially launched in 2025 for Intramuros Manila guides, with the training taking place in February 2026. Seniors in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur also grabbed the opportunity for a new career, earlier this month.
This week was Angeles City’s turn, and 30 seniors began learning the skills needed to share their local history, traditions and cultures as accredited community tour guides.
The training took place at Angeles City library, in partnership with Angeles LGU City Tourism Office.
Asian Island Odyssey Lands In Philippines
The Heritage Adventurer, billed as a luxurious 140-guest expedition ship has been visiting the Philippines this month, as part of its 19-day Asian Island Odyssey: Remote Islands of the Philippines & Indonesia, Taipei to Darwin cruise.
Starting out in Taipei, Taiwan and ending in Darwin, Australia the expedition spent 7 days visiting and sailing through the Philippines with stops at
Calayan Island (looking out for the endemic Calayan Rail, and whales and dolphins)
Divilacan Bay, Isabela (snorkeling offshore reefs, visiting conservation initiatives for the critically endangered Philippine Crocodile with the Mabuwaya Foundation)
Polillo Island (Spotting the Philippine Cockatoo, Philippine Brown Deer, Warty Pig, Large Rufous Horseshoe Bat, the Gray’s Monitor/Butaan Lizard and Dugong)
Caramoan Peninsula National Park (visiting the limestone karst formations, snorkeling, forest trails and underground river)
Samar Island, (exploring the Arboretum ni Papa Donoy, trekking the Paranas Ecotrail and Birding Site, joining the Ulot River Torpedo Boat Adventure, and a visit to the Samar Island Natural Park. Plus a banig-weaving demonstration, hilot sessions and cultural dances and performances)
Bohol Island (Climbing the Chocolate Hills, visiting the Tarsier Sanctuary, snorkeling at the coral gardens and turtle spotting)
Bucas Grande Island (spotting the Rufous Hornbill, visiting coves, beaches the Blue Lagoon and the Tojoman Lagood/Sohoton Jellyfish Sanctuary)
The Heritage Adventurer was built in Finland in 1991, as a pioneering purpose-designed expedition vessel for Polar exploration. She is sometimes called the “Grande Dame of Expedition Cruising” with her spacious and luxurious cabins, lounge bar, gym and sauna, pool, dining rooms and library.
This is the second time the expedition has stopped at Samar and the Samar Provincial Tourism, Culture and the Arts Office spent several weeks practising “dry runs” ahead of the expedition stop, to ensure a smooth and authentic experience.
“The visit directly benefited our grassroots communities including our local transport sector (drivers), weavers, massage practitioners, local catering teams from the Secret Kitchens, and community eco-guides,” Mario R. Piczon, Samar Provincial Tourism and Culture Department.
The 130 international guests from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Indonesia, New Zealand, Russia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States were joined on the expedition by international renowned naturalist and birder, Adam Walleyn.
Other stops on the tour include:-
Taipei and Hualien, Taiwan – Exploring the rock formations at Yehliu Geopark, and hiking the 19km long marble wall of Taroko National Park.
North Sulawesi, Indonesia – Trekking the Tangkoko Nature Reserve, to spot Crested Black Macaques, Sulawesi Bear Cuscus and Draco Flying Lizards
Banda Neira (Spice Islands), Indonesia – Exploring the 17th Century five-sided Fort Belgica and learning about the areas colonial history.
Filipino Restaurant Makes NZ Michelin Guide
A Filipino co-owned bar and restaurant has been selected to appear in New Zealand’s inaugural Michelin Restaurant Guide.
Bar Magda is located on Cross Street, Auckland Central and is described as a hidden, dimly lit space with a speakeasy vibe.
The co-owner Chef Carlo Buenaventura, who was born in Davao City, Mindanao, originally studied nursing but on completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing he realised his heart was in cooking. He went on to enrol at the Center for Culinary Arts, Manila (CCA, Manila) and has since become a celebrated restaurateur in New Zealand.
“Born and raised in the Philippines, the owner-chef takes the flavours of his home and adds his own little twists and turns” – The Michelin Guide
Special mention is also given to the cocktails served, in particular the signature cocktail – the Magdatini.
Toyo Eatery Accused Of Unfair Labor Practices
Michelin-starred Toyo Eatery has been in the news this week after being accused of unfair labor practices by former employees.
The accusations levied at the restaurant are of long working hours without overtime pay, and not being issued with a valid contract of employment.
In a statement released on its social media accounts yesterday, July 9, the restaurant acknowledged the allegations but dismissed them. Toyo Eatery maintains that the allegations made misrepresent how it operates, and how it has operated throughout the last 10 years.
“Toyo Eatery has always operated in full accordance with the Labor Code of the Philippines and all applicable labor regulations….. We take our obligations to our employees seriously, from wages and benefits, to leaves.”
A site visit and inspection on June 3 by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which included independent interviews with their current employees, concluded with the issuance of a Full Clearance by DOLE for the restaurant.
Toyo Eatery also stated “If there are legitimate concerns, we have always been and remain open to addressing them through the proper channels”.
Global Hospitality & Tourism Industry News Updates
Spanish Wildfires Kill 12 Tourists
At least 12 tourists have died as wildfires, fueled by strong winds, in Andalusia Spain took hold. Dozens more foreign nationals, staying in Bedar in Los Gallardos, are still missing.
Antonio Sanz, Minister for health and emergencies has gone on record calling it “The most devastating fire to date in our region”.
500 emergency workers have been deployed to the area outside of Los Gallardos, on Costa de Almería and residents have been evacuated.
Residents of Almocáizar and Terminar de Vedas have been evacuated along with as many as 500 holidaymakers at a campsite.
Four of the dead are thought to be British nationals who were caught in the fires while trying to flee by car.
Witnesses have claimed the fire stated in a hamlet near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains on Thursday evening, after a power line fell or caused sparks to set scrubland alight.
EU Will Not Suspend EES
The EU Commission has responded to the recent letter sent from airline, aviation and tourism groups requesting the new Entry Exit System (EES) be postponed.
The letter was sent in response to lengthy queues, and missed, delayed and cancelled flights as a result of problems with the new fingerprinting and facial recognition machines at border control. See our earlier coverage in our Industry News Updates July 3
Europe’s peak summer holiday season starts in less than one week and – while the EU recognises that at least 20 airports are experiencing significant numbers of missed, delayed and cancelled flights – the system will not be suspended.
What is the EES? The EES is the fingerprint and facial registration system any non-EU passport holder needs to complete to enter Europe. Once completed the traveler will be scanned for any departures and future entries.
In time going through border control will become quicker for foreign nationals, as they’ll just be scanned. But, for the first entry, details need to be entered and scans and photos taken.
The EU has ruled out suspending EES in the 20 worst affected airports identified by aviation and airline groups, noting that it would cause administrative, visa and tracking problems if only some borders are operating the system. However, airports and ports can temporarily suspend the EES when queues become unmanageable.
This temporary option remains available until September 2026 after which Ports and Airports are expected to have updated their IT systems, and recruited and trained sufficient staff to operate them.
EES Is Working Says EU
The EES system is working, according to EU Commission officials, despite the queues, flagged delays and flight disruptions.
They report that 44,500 people have already been refused entry to the Schengen area. The most typical entry refusals have been people
- with no appropriate justification for visit or stay
- who overstayed a visitor allowance (9,000 people)
- trying to use a second passport to circumvent the visitor allowance,
- with faked travel documents (300 people)
- considered a threat to internal security (1,000 people)
Italy Flights Cancelled As Etna Erupts
Flights into and out of Catania airport in Sicily were cancelled on Monday July 8, after Mount Etna erupted overnight, sending clouds of ash in to the sky.
Dozens of flights were cancelled, while others were diverted to alternative airports.
EasyJet Airline Takeover Imminent
Budget airline EasyJet looks poised to announce acceptance of a takeover offer from a US investment firm this week.
Castlelake has made an offer of £5.7billion, after four previous offers were rejected by EasyJet. Castlelake currently owns a 2.14% stake in the budget airline.
EasyJet rejected the four previous offers accusing Castlelake of trying to buy it “on the cheap”.
It was announced on July 5 that the two companies had reached an agreement in principle. Castlelake has until August 3 to secure the deal, which includes setting up in partnership with at least two EU nationals. The European Union regulations stipulate that European airlines must be majority-owned by EU citizens.
Castlelake has previously expressed intent to enter into a partnership with Peter Bellew, who is a former Chief Operating Officer of EasyJet, and Mark Breen, an aerospace consultant who has previously held senior roles at a number of airlines.
Ryanair Passenger Sucked Out Of Window
A man in his 60’s, traveling on a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki, Cyprus to Memmingen Airport in Germany, was partially sucked out of the plane after the window next to his seat shattered earlier today (Friday July 10).
It is believed that a projectile, maybe from the 737’s jet engine, smashed a window shortly after take off. The cabin immediately lost pressure and oxygen masks dropped from above the passengers.
According to various accounts the man was sucked through the window as far as his shoulders and was pulled back into the plane by other passengers. He and the rest of the passengers had been wearing their seatbelts as the plane was still ascending at the time.
The plane quickly returned to Thessaloniki Airport, where the passenger received medical assistance. A replacement aircraft was organised for the other passengers.
Indonesia To Extend Visa-Free Entry Scheme
Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism is looking to expand the country’s visa-free scheme to eight more countries in order to remain competitive against it’s South Asian neighbours.
Sixteen countries are already covered but the Ministry of Tourism is pushing to expand this to include Australia, Belarus, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Macau, New Zealand, South Korea and permanent residents of Singapore.
Indonesia’s tourism growth has been steady with 15.4million international arrivals in 2025. And the country has already seen 4.68 million international tourist arrivals between January and April 2026.
A report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows the current visa-free programme has increased international tourism demand by 24%. However, Immigration Officers in the country have raised concerns over border security, along with the reduction in visa revenue should the extension go ahead.
Italian Tourist Spot Bans Swimwear
Authorities at an Italian tourist hotspot have announced a ban on bare chests and swimsuits.
Varenna, which sits on the edges of the infamous Lake Como, implemented the ban which includes fines ranging between €50-200 (about ₱3,500 – 14,000) for anyone breaching the new regulations.
Varenna, with its tiny population of just 650 people, has been struggling with an influx of tourists in recent years. The new regulations have been brought it to appease the local residents and preserve the village’s appearance.
Visitors have been warned that they are not allowed to walk around bare chested or wearing swimsuits. Tourists are expected to remain clothed unless they are on the lakeside beach or a boat trip on the lake.
Tour groups have also been restricted, to a maximum of 25 people, with guides banned from using loudspeakers on the tours.
Italy Introduces Beach Booking System
20 of Italy’s most popular beaches have introduced a cap on the number of beachgoers, and an online booking system this summer.
The cap and pre-booking system has been introduced in an attempt to control overcrowding and minimize environmental impacts, such as coastal, sand and sand dune erosion, and disturbing the natural environment of plants, fish and other sea creatures.
While the per person fee is only €3 (₱211) a day some beaches, like Pelosa Beach in Sardinia, are already fully booked for the whole of the summer.
Did you miss last weeks Industry News Updates? Read it here.
