Monsoon Disruptions: India’s Mumbai region faced a “red” alert as heavy rain and strong winds triggered building collapses, landslides, and major travel chaos, including flight and train disruptions. Safety & Incidents: A tourist died after drowning at Es Trenc beach in Mallorca, while separate flood rescues were reported near Lonavala. Tourism Policy & Payments: The Philippines’ Supreme Court upheld VAT refunds for eligible foreign tourists, and Greece launched UPI payments for Indian visitors to make cash-light travel easier. Travel Rules: Russia introduced a RuID requirement for visa-free entry for eligible travelers, and India’s embassy in Thailand issued updated entry guidance requiring proof of funds and documents. Destination Outlook: Spain expects 43 million tourists this summer and €64bn in spending, while Nepal’s Langtang National Park saw visitor and revenue declines. Experiences & Trends: Screen tourism is set to drive new visitor surges in 2026, and China’s Shijiazhuang is leaning into camping-based tourism for short getaways. Local Boosts: Alice Springs tourism operators celebrated new funding, and Tanzania and China discussed a 10-day visa-free transit pilot for eligible travelers. Travel Costs Debate: A new study argues cruise holidays are taxed far less than hotels in Europe, sparking calls for tax parity. Practical Travel Tips: UK finance expert Martin Lewis warned holidaymakers about costly card exchange-rate fees, and Ryanair passengers were told to use cardboard to manage expanded “personal bag” sizes.