![[Vantage Point] Why gov’t should slow down on the BI-Securiport P192-billion revenue deal](https://wsrv.nl/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rappler.com%2Ftachyon%2F2026%2F09%2FScreenshot-2026-09-04-at-7.12.44-PM.png&w=828&q=75&output=webp&default=1)
[Vantage Point] Why gov’t should slow down on the BI-Securiport P192-billion revenue deal
There's something fundamentally odd about the government’s plan to charge international travelers another US$4 every time they enter or leave the Philippines
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![[Vantage Point] Why gov’t should slow down on the BI-Securiport P192-billion revenue deal](https://wsrv.nl/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rappler.com%2Ftachyon%2F2026%2F09%2FScreenshot-2026-09-04-at-7.12.44-PM.png&w=828&q=75&output=webp&default=1)
There's something fundamentally odd about the government’s plan to charge international travelers another US$4 every time they enter or leave the Philippines

Tourism data reveals strong visitor numbers at the Azerbaijani historical and natural reserve, highlighting its growing popularity among domestic and international travelers.
The luxury One&Only Aesthesis resort has opened in Athens, offering high-end accommodations and amenities to international travelers.
The Fijian government has introduced relaxed tax policies for the tourism sector, aiming to reduce operational costs for hospitality businesses and attract more international travelers.

The Bali Tourism Office has issued reassurances to international travelers, urging them to remain confident about visiting the island despite emerging concerns regarding the Zika virus.
A study by Turismo de Portugal indicates that Portugal is the fourth most popular destination in Southern Europe among international travelers, with 46% of Brazilians intending to visit.

NAVALA Travel Health has officially launched its digital healthcare platform in Ghana, aiming to improve access to trusted and coordinated medical care for international travelers.
A new report indicates a growing trend of reduced travel freedom worldwide, with international travelers increasingly needing to apply for visas for various destinations. This development suggests a shift towards more restrictive global mobility.
Alipay+ and PVS have partnered to expand QR code payment access for international travelers visiting Argentina, enhancing convenience for digital transactions.

Japan plans to increase prices for foreign visitors to manage overtourism and generate funds for new infrastructure, aiming for 60 million international travelers by the end of the decade.

A Canadian student was reportedly detained in Tbilisi, Georgia, for carrying Adderall, an ADHD medication, without a prescription. The incident highlights issues with medication regulations for international travelers.

The Philippine government is still studying a proposal to collect a P240 immigration fee from international travelers to fund the modernization of the Bureau of Immigration's security systems.
A feature article highlights a particular country that is increasingly captivating the interest of international travelers, becoming a popular destination.
North African nations are revising their 2026 tourism strategies to attract international travelers displaced from other regions. The adjustment aims to capitalize on changing global travel patterns.

Seoul is gaining recognition as one of the world's most budget-friendly major cities for international travelers, with prices significantly lower than top tourism destinations like New York.
Bloomberg reports that China is on track to become the world's leading tourism economy, a trend partly attributed to international travelers opting to skip the United States.
An article provides advice for individuals flying internationally on actions to take before border agents inspect their phones.

The Department of Homeland Security has suspended the Global Entry program as the partial government shutdown continues, impacting international travelers.

Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia announced a promotional campaign providing over 170,000 complimentary domestic roundtrip tickets to eligible passengers arriving from ten countries.

A new pair of wireless earbuds capable of translating speech across 164 languages in real-time is now available for just 18 euros, targeting international travelers.
China's promotional initiative targeting overseas travelers to Hainan province is gaining significant traction, boosting international tourism numbers and regional economic activity.
More international travelers are reportedly buying Chinese brands, indicating a growing global interest in products from China.

India is reportedly set to eliminate physical boarding passes for international travelers starting September 1st.

International travelers arriving at Incheon Airport frequently prioritize purchasing transit cards and banana milk from convenience stores over SIM cards, according to local chain CU.
While domestic tourism by Mexican residents remains robust, Mexico's tourism sector is showing warning signs due to declining foreign visits and reduced spending by international travelers.
Foreign tourists spent a record 41.3 billion Polish zlotys in Poland last year, with visitors from Germany and Ukraine contributing the most. The number of overnight stays by international travelers has already increased by 11 percent this year.
Shift4 Payments has announced the launch of Shift4 One, a new international travel solution developed in collaboration with Global Blue. This initiative aims to streamline payment processes for international travelers.

Romania's national railway company, CFR Călători, has launched an online ticketing system for routes connecting Romania to Germany, enhancing convenience for international travelers.

Akureyri Airport in North Iceland experienced a significant boost in tourism, recording over 107,000 passengers in 2025, marking the highest annual total on record for international travelers.

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are redirecting international travelers to Mediterranean Europe for Summer 2026, but France is reportedly benefiting less from this shift compared to Spain and Italy.
AT&T Inc. (T) has announced the launch of eSIM functionality specifically designed for international travelers.

The United States is reportedly preparing an indictment against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, coinciding with an unusual and historic visit by the CIA director to Cuba. This diplomatic activity occurs amidst a severe crisis on the island, including fuel shortages.
Japan is experiencing an increase in measles infections, a trend attributed to international travelers and a decline in the country's vaccination rate.
The UAE has detected no missiles and confirmed its airspace was free of threats on April 9. The announcement comes amidst regional security concerns, reassuring residents and international travelers.
A group of 79 travelers from 37 different countries has visited the regions of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, highlighting international interest in the area.

The United States experienced a decline in international travelers last year, making it the only major destination to do so, with increased border scrutiny and ICE violence cited as contributing factors.

Tourism-driven consumption surges as international travelers significantly increase their credit and debit card expenditures across the country during the second quarter.
Xiamen's cruise industry is experiencing increased passenger volumes as international visitor numbers rise, boosting local tourism revenue.

Visitors along the Istrian shoreline have reported unusually high concentrations of large eye jellyfish in the Adriatic Sea, drawing widespread attention and concern from Austrian and international travelers.
From September 1, international travelers departing from India will no longer need to have their boarding passes stamped at immigration counters, an initiative aimed at streamlining the travel process.

International travelers departing from India will no longer require physical boarding passes to be stamped at immigration starting September 1, as e-boarding passes will be accepted.

A booming U.S. economy is transforming Americans into avid international travelers, with tourism becoming a non-negotiable aspect of their lives.

International travelers are increasingly opting for less crowded, colder locations during 'hidden seasons' as the period of summer overtourism in popular destinations concludes, driven by municipal restrictions, local discontent, and severe heatwaves.

Ukrainian chef Julia Vysotska is delighting international travelers with modern dishes made from Adriatic ingredients for her fourth consecutive season aboard the Ave Maria cruise ship.

Australia plans to phase out paper arrival cards for incoming international travelers, introducing a digital customs declaration system at all international airports and seaports after a successful trial.

Conde Nast Traveller's Readers' Choice Awards have recognized eight Greek islands among the top 20 best islands in Europe. This highlights the strong appeal of Greek destinations to international travelers.
Lugard Agbomoagan, MD of JAGZ, emphasized the critical need for hospitality brands to innovate and adapt to effectively serve the evolving demands of a new generation of African and international travelers.
Thailand has launched a new digital arrival card system for international travelers, aiming to significantly reduce immigration processing times.
Thailand has revised its visa-free entry regulations following the discontinuation of its 60-day scheme, impacting international travelers.
A departure tax refund service has marked its first anniversary, providing a year of financial benefits to international travelers.
Afghanistan's Taliban administration has reportedly begun charging flyover fees to Swiss and other international travelers using its airspace.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has stated that it could cease processing international travelers at certain airports located in "sanctuary cities."

A report indicates that over 80% of international travelers now choose their holiday destinations based on sustainability, nature experiences, and cultural heritage.
Snowbird destinations from Palm Springs to southern Florida are feeling the impact as Canadians remain hesitant about traveling to the US. Sarah Gray/Business Insider New data from Longwoods International shows Canadians are still hesitant about traveling to the US. Major snowbird destinations from Palm Springs, California, to southern Florida are feeling the impact. Canadians are opting for Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean instead, or for domestic travel. Canadian travellers are still unhappy with President Donald Trump, and that's affecting the 2026 outlook of visitors to the US from Canada. In 2025, there was a noticeable travel chill from the US's northern neighbor, following President Donald Trump's quips about the "51st state" and the levying of hefty tariffs. A January survey of more than 1,000 Canadian prospective travelers found that they remain hesitant to travel to the US and would rather support domestic tourism, according to Longwoods International, a tourism industry market research company. According to Longwoods International, 55% of surveyed Canadian travelers report that they intend to travel to the US within the next 12 months, which remains mostly unchanged from 54% reported in October 2025. Among those who intend to make the trip, only 9% say they have already made bookings. In 2025, 4 million fewer Canadian travelers visited the US than the previous year, marking a 22% drop, according to the US Commerce Department's National Travel and Tourism Office. Seventy-three percent of Canadian respondents to the latest survey, who said they changed their 2026 travel plans to avoid the US, cited economic policies and tariffs. Other factors are also at work. More than 40% of respondents told Longwoods International that they strongly or somewhat disagree that the US is a place that values international travelers, welcomes travelers with diverse backgrounds, is a safe place to visit, and feels welcoming in general, and the number of Canadians who agree that the US feels safe to visit has been declining over the past year. Popular destinations for Canadian snowbirds, such as southern California and Florida, have been trying to woo them back. But it appears that those attempts have fallen flat as Trump continues to threaten Canada with tariffs and recently threatened to delay the opening of a bridge Canada paid for. In 2025, California's Gov. Gavin Newsom began trying to convince Canadians with targeted video campaigns that California welcomes them. Recently, heart-shaped banners featuring the Canadian flag also popped up in Palm Springs, which, according to the Los Angeles Times, is feeling a chill this winter from fewer Canadian tourists. "Sure, you-know-who is trying to stir things up back in DC, but don't let that ruin your beach plans," Newsom said in a campaign video. "California is the ultimate playground — over 2,000 miles from Washington and a world away in mindset." According to Visit California, the number of Canadian visitors to the state still fell by over 18% in 2025 compared to the year prior, slipping to 1.4 million. In 2024, Visit California showed that 1.7 million Canadians visited the state and spent around $3.7 billion. Even Disney, the happiest place on earth, is feeling the impact as international travelers skip the US. In the Walt Disney Company's first-quarter earnings report earlier in February, the company said it is facing "international visitation headwinds" at its US parks, including Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. Visit Florida lists Canada as the state's top source of international visitors, with around 3.4 million travelers from Canada to the state in 2024. In 2025, the state saw a 15% year-over-year drop, according to Visit Florida, with only 2.9 million visitors from Canada. Canadian airlines Air Transat and WestJet are also suspending all or some flights from Canada to the US this summer. "We saw a notable decline in transborder travel demand throughout 2025," Julia Kaiser, media relations advisor for WestJet, told Global News earlier in February. "As a result, we made timely decisions to modify our network to stay aligned with where Canadians want to go." The slowdown in trips to the US doesn't mean that Canadians are no longer traveling. Longwoods International said that 45% of Canadian travelers who changed their plans for a US trip now say they would substitute it with a domestic trip, while about a quarter of prospective travelers are looking toward Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean. As of February 17, China also opened up visa-free entry for all Canadian citizens, allowing up to 30 days of travel for business, tourism, family visits, or transit. Read the original article on Business Insider