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1. Nearly quarter of Americans not planning a summer trip
A survey conducted by Bankrate found that 24% of Americans aren't planning a trip this summer, and many of them said it's because of the cost, Forbes reports. Among those not traveling, 65% said it's because they can't afford to travel because everyday costs are too high and 60% said travel itself is too expensive.
When broken down by age group, millennials ages 29 to 44 were the most likely to not plan a trip this summer because of cost. Baby boomers, ages 61 to 79, were the second most likely to not have plans for a summer trip.
2. China warns other countries over US trade deals
The Chinese government is warning other countries against making trade deals with the U.S. that would be detrimental to China, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Ministry of Commerce said it would implement reciprocal countermeasures against any countries that do.
The warning comes as many countries are trying to work out reductions or exemptions from U.S. trade tariffs, according to the newspaper. The U.S. has paused for 90 days its reciprocal tariffs, with the exception of those on China, which implemented its own retaliatory tariffs.
3. The state of the H-2B visa program with US hotels
The U.S. government's H-2B visa program allows American companies to hire foreign nationals as seasonal workers to help fill in during peak labor needs, a useful tool for U.S. hotel companies seeking to fill empty positions during periods of high demand, writes CoStar News contributor Harvey Chipkin.
Merrick Dresnin, chief people services officer for Cote Hospitality, said these non-immigration visas make up a key part of his company's staffing strategy.
“They help us bring in skilled workers from around the world,” he said, “filling important roles in culinary, housekeeping, front desk and restaurant operations.”
4. German tourists deported from Hawaii
Two German tourists were detained for several days and later deported by the U.S. government after the two recent high school grads attempted to stay in Hawaii without having any accommodations booked, Newsweek reports, citing German newspaper Ostsee Zeitung. The pair planned to explore the Hawaiian islands for five weeks as part of their worldwide trip.
U.S. Customers and Border protection found it suspicious the two hadn't pre-booked any accommodations, believing the tourists may try to work illegally in the U.S. while there. Both tourists otherwise had valid travel authorizations through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
5. Venice continues visitor's tax for second year
Venice will continue to charge a day-tripper's tax for a second year and increase the number of days out of the year it will charge the tax, the Associated Press reports. The city will now charge the tax for 54 days, up from 29 last year, on mostly weekends and holidays between April 18 and July 27.
The goal of the day-tripper tax is deter overtourism in the city by charging those who visit the city without staying there, but opponents have said the tax hasn't stopped people from visiting, the AP reports. The city raised €2.4 million ($2.8 million) in 2024 through its pilot program from the 450,000 people who paid the tax.