Intrepid Says It’s Stronger Without TUI and 12 Other Tourism Trends This Week

Throughout the week we post dozens of original stories, connecting the dots across the travel industry, and every weekend we sum it all up. This weekend roundup examines tourism.

For all of our weekend roundups, go here.

>>The Great Wall of China doesn’t need Hollywood to remain one of the world’s wonders. But stampedes of Chinese tourists still threaten an artifice that northern armies failed to conquer: Overtourism and Lax Oversight Threaten Great Wall of China

>>Looking for reasons to attend Skift Global Forum? Look no further: Top 3 Reasons You Cannot Miss Skift Global Forum

>>Travel brands and Cuba’s ailing infrastructure are already struggling with accommodating 285,000 U.S. travelers per year in and around Havana. What happens when that number multiplies by seven? U.S. Travelers Want to Go to Cuba But Brands Were Too Aggressive, Too Soon

>>There were hopes that tourists might head back to areas affected by terrorism and other geopolitical problems. At this stage it hasn’t happened but it will be worth paying attention to the European “lates” market to see if the resulting lower prices persuade those looking for a deal to return: TUI Group Isn’t Seeing Much Tourism Recovery in Turkey or North Africa

>>Car rental giants are working to reduce fleet size following a period of reduced demand. But as ridesharing continues to grow in popularity on a global scale, these companies need to get creative: Car Rental Companies Have Too Many Vehicles and Not Enough Customers

>>Wealthy travelers define luxury in many different ways, based on who they’re traveling with and why: Interview: Virtuoso Travel CEO on the Future of the New Luxury Traveler

>>As with river cruising, luxury train travel allows travelers to take their luxury with them from place to place, ensuring the same quality of lodging, no matter the locale: Old School Train Travel Is Being Positioned as New School Luxury

>>Today’s luxury isn’t gold plated doodads, it’s choice, convenience, and the power to choose experiences: New Luxury Newsletter: Why the Modern Luxury Traveler Is Different

>>Having a global, visa-free block of countries might sound idealistic. But many countries have made progress with liberalizing their visa systems in recent years and a worldwide trusted traveler program isn’t out of the question: Video: WTTC Chairman on Why a Global Trusted Traveler Program is a Smart Idea

>>After kissing TUI goodbye, Intrepid Group has a new adventure — to be a company with $1 billion in revenue. With experiential travel being the buzzword, and having incorporated lessons from TUI into the company, it may achieve the goal sooner than five years: Adventure Travel Firm Intrepid Group Says It’s Stronger After TUI Breakup

>>The river cruise industry has exploded since AmaWaterways was established 15 years ago. We’ll be interested to see how the operator moves forward with its new investor: AmaWaterways Is Getting Some Fresh Cash to Shake up River Cruising

>>SeaWorld could use more brands that don’t rely on animals — and Sesame Street is beloved by both kids and parents. This could be a good way to round out the company’s offerings: SeaWorld’s Hoped-For Transformation Will Include More Sesame Street

>>Most tourism boards understand that travelers need to eat well if they want them to be happy and return. One challenge with that is determining what food trend to focus on — and whether it will fizzle out or stick around: Destinations Concede Their Food Tourism Marketing Efforts Fall Short