Typhoon Disruptions: Philippines Coast Guard suspended sea travel in Cagayan and Batanes waters ahead of Super Typhoon “Francisco” (Mekkhala), warning of rough seas and poor visibility for small vessels. Connected Ferries: China rolled out large-scale continuous 5G across the Bohai Sea ferry corridor between Dalian and Yantai, promising stable high-speed connectivity for the 150-km, six-hour crossing. Security in Tourism Hotspots: Scotland Yard plans to expand live facial recognition across London’s West End (Soho and major retail areas) by December, following a Croydon trial that led to 170+ arrests. UK Heatwave Travel Strain: London rail users were urged not to travel as extreme heat and a rare red warning threaten delays, reduced services, and speed restrictions—especially on Elizabeth line and Overground. Holiday Demand & Pricing: KAYAK says July 4 fares are easing, with July 2 typically pricier; shifting departures to July 3/4 can cut costs. China Festival Travel: Dragon Boat Festival drove 124m domestic trips (+4.4%) and 44.46bn yuan spending (+4%), showing steady tourism momentum. Tourism Growth Play: Korea’s Gyeongju is banking on APEC momentum, with foreign arrivals up 18.3% and spending up 34.1% in Jan–May. New Routes: Sun PhuQuoc Airways launches a direct Phu Quoc–Singapore service from July 25, adding another tourism and business link in the region. Travel Tech & Retail: Avolta agreed to buy DFS Okinawa, expanding premium travel retail in Japan. Safety Warnings: UK tourists were warned about a toxic Mediterranean pufferfish species after reported attacks near Athens.