Author: mercan-author

Climate adaptation, higher-quality experiences and stronger digital infrastructure will shape tourism growth over the next five years, according to Nejc Jus of the World Travel & Tourism Council. In an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) published Saturday, Jus said international tourism continues to expand, with global arrivals rising 5.4% in 2025. The Mediterranean, […]

In 2025, Greece’s tourism sector continued its growth momentum. According to final data from the Bank of Greece, foreign tourist arrivals reached 43.31 million, up 6.4% from 40.69 million in 2024. Alongside the increase in visitor numbers, tourism revenue also recorded solid growth. In 2025, Greece’s total travel receipts reached €23.63 billion, representing a 9.4% […]

Panama’s retirement system has been layered over time. For decades, the country has operated with a structured discount framework for retirees — one that effectively creates a parallel cost of living. This is not a marginal support scheme. It is a pricing structure embedded into the economy. It is also one of the reasons why […]

Panama is a premier Latin American country for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) Panama as a destination, offers world-class infrastructure like the Amador Convention Center and ATLAPA, combined with high global connectivity.  It blends modern city skyscrapers with coastal and rainforest venues for unique, high-quality corporate events.  Panama business tourism is rising, offering world-class […]

Portugal’s median family dwelling price surged 16.8% in 2025, reaching €2,076/m2, according to INE. Referencing the 164,677 sales made in 2025, the median price was €2,076/m2, up 4.3% from the year ending September 2025, and 16.8% compared to 2024, according to INE. According to the statistical institute, the sub-regions of Greater Lisbon (€3,439/m2), Algarve (€3,139/m2), […]

Greece’s strong reliance on tourism revenues – accounting for more than 20 percent of total tax income – limits the country’s ability to significantly reduce value-added tax (VAT), according to a senior European tax official. Speaking at the 11th Delphi Economic Forum, Gerasimos Thomas, Director-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD), said that a […]

In the first quarter of 2026, Greece’s air transport market continued its upward trend. The country’s 39 airports handled 9,282,984 passengers, an increase of 7.6% compared to 8,624,002 passengers in the same period of 2025, indicating a continued recovery in travel and tourism demand. At the same time, flight operations expanded in tandem. During the […]

The Portuguese economy grew 2.3% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year and registered zero variation compared to the last quarter of 2025, estimated the INE (National Institute of Statistics). According to a first provisional estimate of the national accounts presented by the INE, the 2.3% year-on-year growth in Gross Domestic […]

On the same date, the Presidency of the Republic received for enactment Decree No. 48/XVII of the Assembly of the Republic, which amends the Nationality Law, and Decree No. 49/XVII of the Assembly of the Republic, which amends the Penal Code by creating the ancillary penalty of loss of nationality. The latter decree was subject […]

Greece is now the fifth largest short-term rental destination in Europe, recording a total of 52 million overnight stays in 2025. The figures, based on Eurostat data, highlight the strength of the Greek tourism product and were presented at the 11th Delphi Economic Forum. Matteo Sarzana, Airbnb country manager for Italy and Southern Europe, stressed that any […]

In recent years, the global shipping environment has faced continuous volatility, especially with rising tensions in the Middle East disrupting traditional maritime routes. Against this backdrop, the Panama Canal, a key passage connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has seen a notable increase in transit fees alongside growing demand. To avoid risks and delays, shipping […]

Portugal ended 2025 with a budget performance exceeding expectations, registering a surplus of 0.7% of GDP, surpassing the 0.6% achieved in the previous year. This positive result was supported by revenue growth (6.7%), slightly higher than expenditure growth (6.6%), a dynamism that cannot be separated from the labour market’s resilience. The volume collected through taxes […]

Greece’s state budget recorded a primary surplus of 4.4 billion euros in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting stronger-than-expected fiscal performance and exceeding the target by 1.66 billion, according to National Economy and Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis. Citing ministry data, Pierrakakis said tax revenues reached 17.28 billion euros, outperforming forecasts, while total net revenues amounted […]

Europeans’ desire to travel in 2026 not only remains strong, but also reaches record levels, despite intense pressures from the rising cost of living and worrying developments in the Middle East. At the same time, however, they plan to limit both the duration of their trips and the amount of their spending. The Greek tourism […]

What Happened Panama offers two distinct resort experiences for travelers looking to enjoy the country’s coastlines and natural scenery. All-inclusive resorts focus on convenience, bundling food, drinks and amenities in one stay, while boutique hotels emphasize smaller scale, personalized service and a more intimate setting. From Pacific coast beaches to rainforest hideaways, both options reflect […]