#tourism-development

#tourism-development

Long before Turks and Caicos was the backdrop for bikini-clad influencers, Kardashians on catamarans, and Netflix dating shows, my family purchased a condo on its main island, Providenciales. This beachside escape from my already beachy hometown of Naples, Florida, was a welcome respite from the intense crowds that flocked to the Gulf like a pack of seagulls on a stray French fry.

It was Easter week on Providenciales, the archipelago's most populous island, and spring break was in full swing. "It's been a revolution," said my driver, who went by the name Roots. It seemed like it was only yesterday that there were hardly any cars on "Provo," as the island is called. Indeed, Roots could remember when there were no roads.

A combination of a world record-breaking trawler, a floating lighthouse and a dizzying array of maritime objects that include a stuffed polar bear called Erik are all helping to make Hull one of the top 25 places in the world to visit in 2026. The East Yorkshire city is on the verge of completing an ambitious 70m transformation, which, supporters believe, will propel it into becoming an international tourist destination.

Ask any visitor to Albania and they'll tell you the same thing: It's the warmth of the people that makes this country so memorable. And some of the best hotels in Albania present a stellar example. Yes, it has crystal-clear rivers, snow-dusted peaks, a glittering Ionian shoreline, and ancient UNESCO heritage sites galore, but it's the Albanians and their innate kindness and hospitality that make a visit here truly special.

By noon, the sun is high over Petra, bleaching the coloured sandstone cliffs and temporarily emptying its celebrated ruins of tourists. Vines and a canopy keep the terrace of Mohammed Feras s cave home cool despite the searing summer heat rising from the rocky valley. I have lived here all my life. I've never been anywhere else and I cannot imagine not living here. This area is part of who I am and I cannot leave it, the 44-year-old farmer and sometime tourist guide said.

Environmental advocates warn that Ontario's decision to transfer parts of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park for tourism could set an awful precedent for future provincial park disposals.