Tourism Funding Push (Ghana): The Ghana Hotels Association is urging a bigger budget for tourism, culture and creative arts, warning the sector was left out of the 2026 Mid‑Year Budget Review—arguing that without funding, heritage sites, training for tour guides and hospitality workers, and service delivery will stall. Transport Upgrade (Gambia): Gambia Deputy Speaker Seedy SK Njie says a faster ferry will soon improve the Banjul–Barra crossing, after complaints that slow, unreliable services can delay patients and disrupt families’ access to healthcare and commerce. Visa Shock for Travel (US): The U.S. makes its visa bond program permanent for 50 countries, but travel groups warn it could sharply reduce travel demand—citing an 83% drop in visas issued during the pilot. Senegal Sports Tourism Angle: Senegal hosted the CAVB Youth Development Cup beach volleyball finals, where Sierra Leone’s U19 pair won gold and Nigeria’s U18 women later took the title in straight sets—another reminder that Dakar 2026-linked events keep drawing regional visitors. Senegal Spotlight (Politics): Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is working to rebuild his political base as debt default fears loom, after a busy period of party moves and regional diplomacy.