Hotel Loyalty Boost: IHG says its voco brand hit the 100-hotel milestone within seven years, with growth from 100 open/pipeline hotels in 2023 to about 250 this year—good news for IHG One Rewards members looking to earn and redeem points. Weekend Road-Trip Ideas: Port Dover (Lake Erie) is pitched as an easy Hamilton escape with a laid-back, retro beach town vibe and palm-tree “tropical” touches. Slow-Travel in Ontario: Bala, a tiny Muskoka village, is described as walkable, historic, and ideal for a weekend reset. Summer Park Challenge: Maryland State Parks suggest a yearlong “visit a new park each month” adventure plan to spread trips across seasons. Travel Safety & Entry Woes: UK travelers face passport-control delays at EU borders under the Entry Exit System, with some airports reporting waits up to triple and passengers missing flights. Airport Security: Thailand’s Tourist Police ramped up checks at Suvarnabhumi ahead of the summer holiday rush, including K9 screening and a multilingual 1155 hotline. Beach Etiquette Fight: Italy’s private “lidos” vs free beaches debate resurfaces, with rules, pricing, and access differences shaping summer plans. Adults-Only Trend: Switzerland’s first adults-only campsite near Interlaken is fully booked after controversy. Family Budget Reality: A report highlights how “bank of mum and dad” support is rising as parents join or fund older kids’ gap-year travel.