In The News

Trump Briefed on Russian Bounties Report: NYT

Charlie Savage, Eric Schmitt, Nicholas Fandos and Adam Goldman June 30, 2020
US intelligence agencies briefed Donald Trump in late February on reports that a Russian military intelligence unit paid bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill US and coalition troops in Afghanistan, according to two sources, reports the New York Times. The White House claims the report lacked consensus or verification, and the president did not receive a briefing. Uncertainty often...

EU Opens Borders to 14 Countries: DW

June 30, 2020
The European Union, seeking to protect its citizens from the Covid-19 pandemic and citing epidemiological factors like testing trends and serious public health responses, is opening its borders to nationals from 14 nations. The EU is also extending a travel ban imposed in mid-March for travelers from the United States, Brazil, Russia and most other countries beyond July 1. The United States, with...

Second Wave of COVID-19 Cases: WSJ

Liza Lin and Joyu Wang March 17, 2020
China reports a slowing of COVID-19 with strict quarantine measures. Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, which share strong ties with China, reported infections early on, yet relied on less rigid measures and now report new waves of infections, assumed to be from incoming travelers. "We are not safe in any place until everyone all over the world is safe," explained Paul Anatharajah Tambyah...

EU, UK Urged to Clarify Citizens’ Rights: EURACTIV

Benjamin Fox March 14, 2020
Between 300,000 and 1 million British people live part of the year in Spain and 150,000 live in France. Two reports suggest that such citizens confront a “no man’s land” on citizens’ rights post-Brexit as governments tend to treat such residents as tourists. “The findings suggest that ex-pat Britons face a lack of clear information, unresolved questions and confusion over residency regulations,...

COVD-19 Cuts Luxury Retail Sales: New York Times

Elizabeth Paton February 20, 2020
The shopping boulevards in London, Paris, Dubai and other cosmopolitan cities, once crowded with enthusiastic Chinese shoppers, are near empty due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus. The coronavirus has placed more than 50 million people under quarantine in China, and 70 other countries imposed travel and visa restrictions for Chinese tourists. Meanwhile, the global luxury goods industry, which...

Restrictions on Mainland Tourism to Taiwan: Caixin

Teng Jing Xuan August 1, 2019
Political tensions spill over to trade and other areas. China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism will allow Chinese mainland citizens to travel to Taiwan only with group tours. “Travelers from 47 Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have been allowed to apply for permits to visit Taiwan individually under a program that began in 2011,” reports Teng Jing Xuan for Caixin. “Once...

Globalization and Travel: World Economic Forum

Kris Naudts June 29, 2019
Globalization has without a doubt led to increased travel and a boom of the tourism industry. While the term “globalization” generally is used more for discussion of trade and finance, the diffusion of people across borders is a leading factor for increased interactions among cultures. A rise in student debt and housing costs contribute to cultural trends that favor experiences more than...