ATM 2025: Tourism leaders tackle climate, tech and growth strategies
From eco-tourism in Malaysia to AI-led theme parks in the UAE, the Arabian Travel Market 2025 spotlighted the shifting priorities of the global tourism industry.
In Dubai, leaders discussed climate resilience, data-driven experiences and investment in regenerative travel. Saudi Arabia's Aseer region announced over €11 billion in sustainable development, while Abu Dhabi's Miral emphasised machine learning to enhance visitor engagement.
Destinations from Croatia to the Gulf are embracing smarter infrastructure and greener models. At ATM 2025, the message was clear: future travel must be connected, inclusive and climate-conscious.
Germany's Mercedes-Benz Group AG confirmed that it will move the production of its best-selling GLC sport utility vehicle to the US from Germany, reported Bloomberg.
The carmaker announced at the beginning of this month that it would move the production of 'a core segment vehicle' to the other side of the Atlantic, but until now, they haven't named the model.
Mercedes also declined to comment on whether the step is a result of the US President's tariff policy, adding a levy of 25% to the original 2.5% car imports to the US were already facing.
'If you see what we want to achieve with volumes on this model, it makes sense to bring it to the US,' Mercedes North America chief Jason Hoff said during a press briefing on Monday.
Currently, the German-made GLC is Mercedes' most popular US import, with a starting price of $49,250 (€44,193). Mercedes sold more than 64,000 of this hybrid model last year in the US, more than 50% more than in the previous year.
The production of the car will take place in Mercedes' Tuscaloosa, Alabama, plant. The output of the US-made GLC SUV is planned to start in 2027.
Other carmakers also announced investments in the US, as they aim to reduce costs that the US President's tariff policy brings about, by making manufacturing local, just as the US President wants.
In the case of Mercedes, there is no information about how many more jobs this step would create or if there is any additional financial investment planned.
Yet, the White House hastily welcomed the decision. They also highlighted that BMW is considering boosting production at its South Carolina plant, Stellantis will re-open its plant in Illinois, Honda plans to shift production of the Civic from Japan to the US, and Hyundai plans a $20 billion investment in the country, among others.
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France 24
a day ago
- France 24
South Korea counts on shipbuilding to ease US tariff woes
Already hit by sector levies on steel and car exports, Seoul is laser-focused on negotiations over a 25 percent country-specific tariff that has been suspended until July 8. AFP takes a look at what's going on: Why shipbuilding? In the 1970s, South Korea's military leader president Park Chung-hee accelerated the country's heavy industry, designating sectors such as steel and shipbuilding "strategically important" and rolling out state subsidies. At the same time, POSCO was founded -- now one of the world's largest steel producers -- and conglomerate Hyundai built its shipyard in southeastern Ulsan, which started to grow rapidly. European rivals struggled to keep pace. Sweden's Kockums Shipyard filed for bankruptcy in 1987 -- and in a symbolic shift of global shipbuilding power, Hyundai acquired its 140-metre (460-foot) Goliath crane for one dollar. It now towers over southern Ulsan. In the 1990s and 2000s, South Korean shipbuilders such as Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries ramped up investment in research and development, backed by generous government subsidies. The country secured a competitive edge in high-value-added vessels, including LNG carriers, very large crude carriers, and offshore platforms. Now, South Korea ranks as the world's second-largest shipbuilding nation, trailing only behind China. Is it important? South Korea's exports hit a record high in 2024, with analysts pointing to shipbuilding as one of the key drivers. The sector accounted for nearly four percent of total exports and grew by almost 20 percent from the previous year -- reaching $25.6 billion. Shipbuilding directly employs around 120,000 workers -- roughly one percent of the country's total workforce -- with indirect employment significantly higher in industrial hubs like Ulsan. Industry data shows so far this year, new orders have exceeded 13 trillion won ($9.4 billion). In March, Hanwha Ocean secured a landmark $1.6 billion contract to build LNG carriers for Taiwan's Evergreen Marine, one of the largest single orders in the sector this year. - Why is it a 'bargaining chip'? - Trump has showed "significant interest in South Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation," said South Korea's trade, industry and energy minister Ahn Duk-geun in April. Like the Europeans, the US shipbuilding industry has lagged behind South Korea and China, and as a result, the sector is seen as a "highly important bargaining chip in trade negotiations," he added. At an APEC finance ministers' meeting in South Korea in May, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met Chung Ki-sun, vice chairman of HD Hyundai, the country's largest shipbuilder, before he met Seoul's top officials. "South Korea's shipbuilding and defence industries see a window of opportunity," said Kim Dae-jong, a professor at Sejong University. How does it help the US? Greer also met with the CEO of Hanwha Ocean, the first non-American company authorised to carry out a dry-dock maintenance of a US Navy vessel. The move last September was seen as significant as it signalled that Washington sees South Korea, where it already has 28,000 US troops stationed, as a strategic defence hub. With worries growing about China's expanding naval fleet and potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the US has begun seeking reliable overseas shipyards to support its operations in the Asia-Pacific region. The global market for ship maintenance, repair, and overhaul is projected to exceed $60 billion annually, according to industry estimates. Any problems? Despite multi-billion-dollar contracts, data suggests South Korea's shipbuilding industry is losing ground in the global race. China dominates with South Korea's market share dropping, according to industry data. Demand for eco-friendly vessels is rising, and the government need to overhaul regulations "to support the development of next-generation eco-friendly vessels," Rhee Shin-hyung, a professor at Seoul National University, told AFP. South Korea's woeful demographics also make staffing hard. In Geoje -– home to Samsung Heavy Industries -– the number of residents in their 20s and 30s has nearly halved in recent years. Orders are down in 2025 which hints that "the shipbuilding boom may end sooner than the market anticipated," warned Rhee. Global ship orders between January and April fell by almost half the volume recorded during the same period last year. Shipbuilders have been enjoying a "supercycle" but unfortunately the "peak is expected to be lower and the boom shorter-lived compared to the past," Nam Chul, vice president at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, told AFP.
Euronews
2 days ago
- Euronews
German and French industry united on US aircraft sector tariffs
The German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) wants only US completed products aircraft and helicopters to be targeted by the EU for retaliatory tariffs - leaving the market for the supply of parts unscathed - if trade negotiations between the EU and the US founder, the group has told Euronews. It's position aligns it with the French sector's stance. 'If the EU must respond, counter-tariffs should focus strictly on fully finished aerospace end products – such as complete aircraft and helicopters – and explicitly exclude spare parts or critical products,' BDLI said in an email to Euronews. 'This is essential to avoid unintended harm to European and global production networks.' US aircraft are included in the European Commission's draft list of €95 billion worth of US products that could face duties if ongoing negotiations fail. The list was open for industry consultation until 10 June and now awaits approval by EU member states. BDLI's position mirrors that of Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, who also chairs the French aerospace association GIFAS. Speaking to French media in May, Faury backed tariffs on finished aircraft but warned against measures affecting spare parts, to avoid disrupting the global supply chain. A source familiar with the matter told Euronews that the French government supports the stance of its aerospace industry. In response to the EU's inclusion of aircraft in its draft retaliation list, the US has launched an investigation that could pave the way for the Trump administration to impose additional tariffs on the EU aerospace sector. Trade tensions between the EU and the US risk reigniting the long-standing rivalry between aerospace giants Boeing and Airbus. However, the two economies' production systems are tightly intertwined. For instance, the LEAP engine, used in both Airbus and Boeing jets, is co-produced by US-based General Electric and France's Safran. Aircraft remain a central issue in ongoing EU-US negotiations. Following a discussion with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada on Monday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said both leaders had directed their teams to accelerate negotiation. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič also met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Monday, on the margins of the G7. A follow-up meeting with US counterparts is scheduled to take place in Washington on Thursday and Friday, an EU spokesperson confirmed. The US currently imposes tariffs of 50% on EU steel and aluminium, 25% on cars, and 10% on all other EU imports. President Trump has warned he will raise tariffs on all EU imports to 50% if no 'fair' agreement is reached by 9 July.
France 24
2 days ago
- France 24
Wirtz wants to 'win everything' for Liverpool after record move
Reports in England said the Premier League champions will pay an initial £100 million ($134 million) for Wirtz, comfortably surpassing their own record outlay, with a further £16 million in performance-related add-ons making it a British record deal. However, German media suggested the fee could be even higher, starting at 130 million euros (£111 million, $149 million) with add-ons taking it to 150 million euros. One of European football's elite young stars, Wirtz has been hailed as one of the "best in the world" by former Leverkusen coach and ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is the new boss of Real Madrid. "I would like to win everything every year!" Wirtz told the club's website. "In the end, we want to be successful. Last season they won the Premier League so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I'm really ambitious." The 22-year-old played a crucial role in Leverkusen's greatest season as they claimed a first-ever Bundesliga title and the German Cup in 2023/24 without losing a single game under Alonso. Their only defeat that season, during which Wirtz was crowned Bundesliga player of the year, came in the Europa League final to Atalanta, denying Leverkusen a memorable treble. Bayern Munich restored their grip on the German game last season, with Leverkusen a distant second, and Wirtz is joining an exodus from the BayArena. Netherlands defender Jeremie Frimpong has already made the move from Leverkusen to Liverpool last month. 'New adventure' "I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me," added Wirtz, who turned down the option of joining Bayern for the move to England. "This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League." After largely keeping their powder dry in the transfer market during Arne Slot's first season in charge, the Reds are splashing out to strengthen a side that romped to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is poised to make the move to Anfield in a £40 million deal. Liverpool have also been linked with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi. Where Wirtz's fits into Slot's plans remains to be seen. He largely played behind a central striker at Leverkusen and has operated from a wider role for Germany. A return of 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 games for Leverkusen is evidence that he carries a threat both as a creator and a goalscorer. "The people say I'm a creative player, and I hope I can bring this creativity to the team and also the joy on the pitch," said Wirtz. "I try to make assists, goals and run for the team to defend. I hope I can just make the team one step better." Liverpool are already blessed with an abundance of forward options, with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo all offering a goal threat. However, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa now face even stiffer competition to get into Slot's starting line-up, raising the prospect of Liverpool selling some of that trio to free up further transfer resources.
