‘Come overprepared’: Advice and tips from one of the first people to get Italy’s digital nomad visa

Europe's scorching hot summer is showing no signs of cooling down, with Italy facing its warmest weekend of the year so far and heatwave warnings issued in southern France.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, August 13, and now here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Flight QZ 246 was welcomed with a water cannon salute as it taxied to its gate where arriving passengers were then greeted by officials and representatives from the TAT, Phuket International Airport, and Phuket Tourist Association.

You don’t hear about Central Florida very often, and when you do, chances are it has something to do with Walt Disney World. But just over an hour north of the famed resort complex is the mid-sized city of Ocala, a destination bursting with superlatives, including “America’s largest spring” and “horse capital of the world.”

The Maldives is a tropical paradise with endless white beaches, crystal clear waters and stunning resorts.

This earnings season, global travel leaders have agreed that the industry is in a slowdown. An exception to that, however, has been the Middle East, which bosses like Accor’s Sebastien Bazin noted was the operator’s best-performing region in the second quarter.

Media giant Disney recently announced that it was planning to invest about $5bn (€4.58bn) in Europe and the UK, to make more TV shows and blockbuster movies, especially superhero movies, according to the Financial Times. This move follows the recent release of the Deadpool & Wolverine movie, which has been a major success. 

Like many TPGers, I've been sucked into credit cards with annual fees, but when I'm out and about, I use just two credit cards in my daily life.

The Lone Star State is on the cusp of a musical revolution. This November 2nd and 3rd, the #YAR Music Festival will make history as the first outdoor Asian music festival in Texas. #YAR (Young Asians Represent) is a music project conceptualized and produced by 1214 Entertainment (www.1214-ent.com); it is about representing the new era of independent Asian artists, where diverse stories and music genres merge to create a live experience beyond cultural boundaries.

Corsican Places showcases the French island of Corsica with its last remaining deals for September and October. Recently enjoyed by the Beckhams and TV presenter Alex Jones, Corsica continues to exude its unique charm. The tour operator’s handpicked selection of holidays caters to wide-ranging tastes and budgets, highlighting exceptional value for those seeking a touch of celebrity-style luxury without the hefty price tag. With a dedicated team that knows the island inside and out, Corsica’s dramatic landscapes, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters rival far-flung destinations—all just a two-hour flight away.

The Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehment Nuri Ersoy, has announced the tourism figures for the first half of 2024. Nearly 1.8 million UK tourists visited Türkiye in the first six months of 2024, marking an impressive 19% increase from the first six months of 2023.

The passenger experience at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is about to get a major improvement.