A Transformed Medellin Grapples with Its Violent Past and 7 Other Tourism Trends this Week

Medellin’s Tourism Challenge: Telling the Right Story of Its Violent Past. Medellin has gone through an incredible transformation over the past 30 years, but large issues still remain prevalent. As the city figures out the right story it wants to tell, its “fake it ‘til you make it” strategy somehow works — speaking to the resilience of many developing economies that are navigating histories of crime, corruption, and violence and still figuring out how to position themselves as destinations.

How a Little-Known California Surf Town Hopes to Win Over Luxury Tourists: Upon hearing the names Laguna Niguel and Newport Beach, do you start itching to experience the luxe life in Southern California? Probably so. On the other hand, unless you are from Orange County, the name Dana Point conjures … well, not much. But a recently formed DMO is looking to put Dana Point on the OC’s luxury travel map.

Rail Is the Next Big Thing for Asia’s Online Travel Platforms: After low cost carriers, the next big thing that will change the way Asians travel could be rail. A rail-volution is in the air and online travel platforms want in. But it’s not that easy. Here’s why.

Why Aren’t Visitors Splurging in Crazy Rich Singapore? Singapore grapples with affordability, as seen in drops in shopping, dining, and hotel spending by tourists, who are also staying a shorter time. Going for more high-yield tourists and giving them the value they’d expect from paying high prices is the solution, and Singapore must do it fast. Here’s why.

Six Flags’ Global Growth Plans Are Running Into Economic Roadblocks: Six Flags’ big ambitions for international expansion are meeting economic reality. The theme park operator still finds potential in partnerships outside the United States, but expectations have to be adjusted.

Turkey Tops European Tourism Growth…Again: It was only a couple of years ago that the Turkish tourism industry was on its knees. How quickly things can change.

Mexico Makes Risky Bet by Moving Global Tourism Effort to Embassies: Mexico’s tourism promotion body probably needed some changes, but this is likely going too far. Will Mexico’s travel industry find a way to fill the gap?

Still Healing, Caribbean Predicts Strong Tourism Growth: It didn’t take long for travelers across the world to start booking their vacations in the Caribbean again, even in the hardest-hit areas. That being said, the threat of another disaster always looms.

Skift Podcast: Why Travel Should Be Optimistic About 2019. Tune in to hear the reasons the travel industry could be in for a good year — or the factors that could steer 2019 off course.