If you are a U.S. citizen, always check the State Department for any changes or restrictions by country — and always register your travel plans with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact them in case of an emergency.

Much is happening in the world right now that is resulting in rapidly changing travel conditions across multiple destinations. The bottom line: travelers must be informed before they book. In many cases, the carrier you book with can also provide guidance on any restrictions or entry requirements to your destination country.

Middle East: Hormuz Crisis Continues to Destabilize the Region

The Middle East remains a hot spot due to tenuous — and rapidly shifting — relations with Iran. As of June 2026, the region is navigating the fragile aftermath of a major military conflict that erupted on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz — the world’s most critical maritime chokepoint — to commercial shipping. In peacetime, approximately 20 percent of the world’s seaborne oil and 20 percent of its liquefied natural gas passes through the strait. The closure triggered what analysts have described as the largest oil supply disruption in the history of the global market.

On June 17, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the United States and Iran at the Palace of Versailles, signaling a framework for ending the conflict. However, the agreement remains fragile. Iran has since re-declared the strait closed, citing what it characterizes as ceasefire violations, while U.S. Vice President JD Vance traveled to Switzerland on June 21 for the next phase of negotiations. Violations of ceasefire terms continue to be reported.

Travel advisory: The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory for Iran. Travelers with itineraries connecting through Gulf states — including the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain — should monitor conditions closely and confirm flight operations with their airline before departure. The situation remains fluid.

Peru: Machu Picchu Expands Capacity for Peak Season

Peru’s leading tourist destination is welcoming more visitors — but planning remains essential. Starting June 19, Machu Picchu increased its daily visitor capacity from 4,600 to 5,600 for the 2026 high season, in compliance with Ministerial Resolution No. 285-2025-MC. This expanded capacity applies through November 2, 2026.

Demand is high, and the system is showing strain. Of the 5,600 daily tickets, 3,600 are available online through the official platform (tuboleto.cultura.pe), while the remaining 1,000 are sold in person at the Machu Picchu Pueblo offices — a policy that has generated long lines of travelers waiting up to a full day to purchase entry.

Adding to the urgency, the international organization New 7 Wonders issued a warning in May that persistent infrastructure issues and risks at Machu Picchu threaten its status as one of the New Wonders of the World — a distinction it has held since 2007.

Travelers should confirm: ticket type, assigned circuit, entry time slot, and whether their itinerary provides sufficient time for their train, bus, or hiking route on the way there and back. Book well in advance — a minimum of 60 days prior to your visit is strongly recommended.

Asia: Countries Revising Policies to Welcome Chinese Tourists

Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam are revising their travel and visa policies to attract more outbound Chinese tourists. As one of the world’s largest and fastest-recovering outbound tourism markets, Chinese travelers represent a significant economic opportunity for these destinations — and governments are actively removing barriers to entry to capture that demand. Travelers from other countries should verify whether any of these policy revisions affect their own entry requirements as well.

Italy: Venice Eyes Steep Increase in Tourist Entry Fee

Italy’s most visited — and most overtouristed — city is considering a significant change to its entry fee system. Venice’s newly elected mayor, Simone Venturini, who took office in late May 2026, has proposed raising the existing day-tripper charge to as much as €30 to €50 on days of peak visitor traffic. The proposal is currently under review by the city council, which plans to submit it to the central government in Rome for approval.

Context is important here: Venice’s entry fee system already exists. The city pioneered paid-entry crowd management for a historic center when it launched a 5-euro pilot program in 2024. In 2026, the system covers 60 designated peak days, with current fees ranging from €5 (booked in advance) to €10 (last-minute). Overnight hotel guests are exempt from the fee, as tourist accommodation taxes already apply to them.

However, by the city’s own assessment, the existing pricing differential has had limited impact on congestion. City officials argue a higher fee is necessary to fund restoration, infrastructure maintenance, and preservation of the UNESCO-listed lagoon. Critics — including former mayor Massimo Cacciari — have called the proposed increase ‘barbaric,’ arguing it would turn Venice into a destination accessible only to wealthy visitors.

Bottom line for travelers: No increase is in effect yet. Day-trippers should continue to register and pay the current fee (€5–10) on designated days via the official portal. Monitor cda.ve.it for any official updates.

U.S. Aviation: FAA Staffing Shortage Causes Major Delays at Las Vegas

The FAA has implemented a ground delay program for Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas due to staffing shortages. As of June 19, average delays were approximately 172 minutes — nearly three hours. At peak disruption, some passengers reported delays exceeding four hours. According to FlightAware data, the disruption affected more than 500 flights in a single day, roughly a third of the airport’s total daily operations.

This is not an isolated incident. Harry Reid experienced a similar staffing-driven disruption just two weeks prior, in early June. The FAA’s own workforce plan for 2026–2028 shows Las Vegas operating with 71 certified controllers against a target of 89 — approximately 22 percent below the staffing level required for efficient operations.

The airport confirmed in a statement: “We can confirm that the FAA has implemented a ground delay program for LAS due to staffing shortages. At this time, average delays are approximately 172 minutes. For additional details regarding FAA staffing levels, please contact the FAA directly. We encourage all travelers to monitor their flight status directly with their airline.”

For travelers flying through LAS: Allow significant buffer time for connections, check flight status directly with your airline before departing for the airport, and book morning flights when possible, as delays tend to cascade throughout the day. As of June 20, delays at Harry Reid had cleared — but the structural staffing shortage remains unresolved.

Southwest Airlines: Plus-Size Passenger Policy Reversed

Southwest Airlines has reversed its controversial plus-size passenger policy. Larger passengers are no longer required to purchase an extra seat in advance. Under the amended rule, which went into effect immediately upon announcement in late May 2026, gate agents can now offer eligible passengers an additional adjacent seat at no cost when space is available.

The backstory: In January 2026 — as part of a broader operational overhaul that also introduced assigned seating and baggage fees for the first time in the airline’s history — Southwest had tightened its customer-of-size policy, requiring larger travelers to pre-purchase a second seat with only conditional refund eligibility. The change drew sharp criticism from the plus-size community and advocacy groups, with many travelers calling it a financial penalty based on body size.

Under the current revised policy, when two adjacent seats are not available on a given flight, the passenger will be rebooked on the next available flight with two open seats. Passengers may also request a refund for a pre-purchased extra seat by submitting a request to Southwest within 90 days of travel, provided the flight departed with at least one open seat.

Note: Alaska Airlines remains the only other major U.S. carrier with a comparable free extra-seat policy for customers of size, subject to availability.