News

Scottish Highlands Tourism Grows with New Canna Hub

The Isle of Canna, a gem in the Scottish Highlands, has unveiled its new visitor hub to support sustainable tourism and cater to the growing number of visitors. This essential addition to the island’s infrastructure is designed to enhance the visitor experience by offering major facilities like public toilets, showers, and laundry services. The hub also serves as a base for the Canna Community and the National Trust for Scotland Ranger, promoting rural tourism while ensuring the island’s environmental and community goals are met. This development marks a significant step in creating a sustainable future for Scotland’s remote islands. The Canna Visitor Hub is not only designed to cater to tourists but also reflects the island’s commitment to sustainability. The building, which is powered by renewable energy, incorporates solar panels to align with the island’s eco-friendly vision. Built using environmentally conscious materials, the visitor hub blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, demonstrating careful consideration of the island’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. An archaeological survey was conducted during the planning phase to ensure that the project was sensitive to its surroundings. The hub now serves as a focal point for visitors upon arrival at the island’s harbour, offering a welcoming and sustainable infrastructure that supports the island’s long-term vision for environmental stewardship and community development.

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Leuven Marks KU Leuven’s 600 Years as Tourism Draw

Leuven, in the heart of Flanders, in Belgium, is considered marginal in terms of tourism and less known than neighbouring cities, such as Brussels or Bruges. This lively little city, often called the Oxford of Belgium, is nonetheless a heady mix of fascinating history, intellectual backbone, and quirky culture that’s easy to fall for by anyone visiting from around the world. In 2025 in Leuven, a splash will be made: KU Leuven, the renowned and one of the oldest universities in Europe, will turn 600 years old! The celebration of this auspicious day is a demonstration not only of the importance of the university, but the university city as a centre of intellect and culture. KU Leuven, founded in 1425, has had a profound influence on the city and its identity. For centuries, the university has been a symbol of academic excellence, nurturing some of the brightest minds in Europe. The university has consistently ranked among the best in the world, particularly in fields like humanities, law, and engineering, making Leuven an essential destination for those interested in academic history and contemporary scholarship. Over the years, KU Leuven has expanded its campuses and research facilities, further establishing the city as a center of knowledge, innovation, and progress. Today, KU Leuven has more than 60,000 students and is one of the largest universities in Europe. It’s not just the academic community that benefits from the university’s presence, though. The growth of the institution has fueled the growth of the city itself, fostering a dynamic and youthful atmosphere that permeates every corner of Leuven. The presence of a large student population and international scholars has created a thriving cultural and social scene, transforming Leuven into a bustling city where history, innovation, and youthful energy intersect.

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Belgium Showcases KU Leuven’s 600-Year Cultural Legacy

As 2025 approaches, the charming city of Leuven in Belgium is preparing for a historic moment that could transform its presence on the global travel stage. Known for its academic legacy but often overshadowed by nearby tourist hubs like Brussels and Bruges, Leuven is ready to claim its rightful place in the spotlight. The reason? The 600th anniversary of KU Leuven, one of Europe’s oldest universities—a milestone that not only honors centuries of learning but also promises to reshape travel trends and revitalize cultural tourism. This celebration isn’t just about the past. It reflects how places rooted in intellectual heritage are becoming more attractive to today’s travelers—especially those seeking experiences that combine history, knowledge, and culture. With a full calendar of events planned, from exhibitions to performances, Leuven is positioning itself as a destination where tradition meets innovation. In anticipation of a significant rise in tourism during 2025, Leuven is taking deliberate steps to ensure its growth is environmentally sustainable. City planners have placed a strong focus on creating a tourism model that respects the local environment and enhances the quality of life for both residents and visitors.

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China–India Resume E-Visas, Boosting Tourism Hopes

India has officially restarted issuing tourist e-visas for Chinese citizens after a five-year suspension, in a move that could drive the recovery of Indian tourism. This was stated by the Indian Embassy in Beijing on July 24, 2025, and is being seen as an opportunity for travel agencies, heritage sites and spiritual hubs to recover from the slump experienced due to drastic fall in Chinese tourists after the pandemic and border frictions in 2020. Chinese tourism has not featured significantly on India’s tourism records for years and the revival is expected to provide new impetus to the sector and create the facilitative conditions for an even-stronger relationship between the two countries. India has officially resumed issuing tourist e-visas to Chinese nationals after a five-year hiatus, marking a significant moment in the country’s tourism recovery. The Indian Embassy in Beijing announced the reopening of the visa system on July 24, 2025, bringing much-needed optimism to the tourism industry. This move is seen as a boost for travel agencies, heritage sites, spiritual hubs, and the broader Indian tourism ecosystem. It signals the revival of cultural exchanges and the return of Chinese tourists, who have been largely absent since the pandemic and the ongoing border tensions in 2020. The suspension of Chinese tourist visas in 2020 was a response to both the global pandemic and escalating geopolitical tensions along India’s borders with China. While many other nationalities saw their travel restrictions gradually lifted, Chinese travellers remained excluded. This decision led to a significant drop in the number of Chinese visitors to India, with arrivals plummeting from 3.4 lakh in 2019 to just over 30,000 in 2023.

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Golden Visa Demand Surges in Greece, Portugal & Malta

In a world where investment-backed residency (IBR) programs have surged in popularity, several countries have emerged as frontrunners, offering rich opportunities for wealthy individuals seeking new homes and business prospects in Europe. Among the top choices, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, and Malta dominate the landscape with their highly sought-after Golden Visa schemes. These programs, offering a path to residency (and in some cases citizenship) through significant investments, have become a central point of attraction for affluent individuals looking to secure global mobility and a higher quality of life. The latest trends and expert analysis highlight the rising interest in these programs, while new political proposals from the UK and US struggle to gain traction. As political leaders in the UK and US introduce new Golden Visa-like schemes, established European programs remain the clear preference for wealthy global citizens. In particular, Greece’s Golden Visa stands out as the most affordable and accessible entry into the EU, despite increasing competition from countries like Portugal, Malta, and Spain. With their unique offerings, including access to non-dom tax regimes, Mediterranean lifestyles, and thriving real estate markets, these countries continue to attract the highest demand. This report delves into the dynamics shaping the Golden Visa landscape, exploring why countries like Greece, Portugal, and others are thriving, while the UK and US face challenges. Greece and Portugal Lead the Way in Golden Visa Popularity European Golden Visa programs have experienced significant growth in recent years. As political and economic factors continue to shape global investment patterns, many investors are increasingly looking to Europe for opportunities. Among the leading countries in the Golden Visa market, Greece and Portugal remain top destinations for wealthy investors.

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Italy’s Ancora Cortina Joins Virtuoso’s Luxury Network

Ancora Cortina, based in the Dolomites in Italy, has raised its profile after joining the world’s greatest luxury travel network, Virtuoso. This premium affiliation links the hotel with more than 20,000 luxury travel advisors that have intimate connections with their clients throughout the world. By becoming a member of Virtuoso, Ancora Cortina establishes itself as one of the finest luxury resorts in the world with its commitment to highly personalized hospitality and rare products tailored to the world’s most discerning, upscale travelers. This inclusion in the Virtuoso network marks a significant milestone for Ancora Cortina, placing it among some of the most exclusive names in luxury travel. By joining Virtuoso, the hotel not only gains global exposure but also becomes part of an elite network recognized for its commitment to providing the finest experiences in travel. Nestled in the iconic town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Ancora Cortina seamlessly blends modern luxury with timeless Alpine charm. The hotel features an array of world-class amenities, including an opulent spa, gourmet dining that highlights local Italian cuisine, and unique experiences that make it the ideal retreat for affluent travelers seeking relaxation and adventure in the Dolomites.

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