Italy Shuts Down Site Tracking Jewish Tourists
Italy Shuts Down Site Tracking Jewish Tourists
Benjamin Voros/Unsplash
https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/italy/experiences/news/italy-shuts-down-site-tracking-jewish-tourists
Italian regulators removed a webform that encouraged users to report Jewish and Israeli tourists, citing privacy law violations amid rising antisemitic incidents across Europe.
Italian regulators have removed a webform that invited users to report the whereabouts of Israeli or Jewish tourists traveling in Italy, the Italian national news agency ANSA reported late last week.
The website, which purported to be aimed at “mapping Zionist tourism,” was distributed via social media chats and groups before authorities removed it, citing violation of Italian and E.U. data protection laws, which offer protections against the harvesting or dissemination of a person’s data without their consent. When the data involves religion or social identity, the protections are enhanced by Italy’s constitution, which guarantees the right to equal protection, regardless of religion or social identity.
Jewish leaders were quick to condemn the web form and compare it to the registration and tracking of Jewish citizens in the 1930s.
“Back then, it was lists and filing; today, an online form, precisely because it can be shared easily, can reach a huge number of people in a short time,” said Walker Meghnagi, president of the Jewish Community of Milan, in a statement to ANSA.
“Mapping where Jews are is extremely serious,” he notes, reasoning that the Italian judiciary must intervene to protect the rights of Jews and Israelis in Italy. The political party Sinistra per Israele Due Popoli Due Stati (Left for Israel: Two Peoples, Two States) immediately called for the withdrawal of the web form. Community leaders have also filed requests for investigation by the Italian Data Protection Authority.
The Italian newspaper La Sicilia noted that antisemitic incidents have skyrocketed in Italy since 2022, having increased 400% in four years. Physical assaults have also increased, particularly in the northern state of Lombardy, which includes Milan, and the central state of Lazio, which includes Rome.
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) also observed an uptick in antisemitic incidents recorded across the European Union following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, largely related to Israel’s response in Gaza. Italy reported 304 officially reported cases of antisemitic criminal conduct in 2024.
The forms were removed following intervention by Italy’s National Coordinator for the Fight Against Antisemitism, Gen. Pasquale Angelosanto, reported The Jerusalem Post.
The web form purported to be managed by the Global Sumud Movement, a group Israel has accused of being managed by Hamas, but the group denied any involvement when contacted by the Italian periodical La Repubblica. The group was noted for launching a flotilla that attempted to block Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid supplies last summer. Convoys in the flotilla embarked from the Italian cities of Otranto, Genoa, and Catania in August and September of 2025.
Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. and Europe remain historically high in both regions. The American Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported 2025 as the third-highest year on record for antisemitic incidents since the advocacy organization began tracking them in 1979. The ADL reported record numbers of incidents in 2023 and 2024, but noted that while overall incidents declined into 2025, the number of physical assaults in 2025 more than doubled.
In response to the increased number of incidents, FRA held a strategy working group session in Vienna in late June. The session brought together national coordinators on combating antisemitism, civil society organizations, Jewish communities, International Governmental Organizations, and experts at large.
Italian regulators have not revealed how much data was collected by the webform before it was taken offline, or given estimates on who accessed the data, where it was warehoused, or whether it posed an immediate security threat for Jewish or Israeli travelers in Italy.
An Independent Mind: In conversation with the CEO of Preferred Travel Group
https://hotelsmag.com/news/an-independent-mind-in-conversation-with-the-ceo-of-preferred-travel-group/
by David Eisen
Lindsey Ueberroth is a scion of one of the most prominent families in America. Peter Ueberroth, her uncle and perhaps the most recognizable of the bunch, is a former commissioner of Major League Baseball and had a big hand in bringing the Summer Olympics to Los Angeles in 1984. But it was Lindsey’s father, John, who caught the travel bug. In 2004, he and his wife co-purchased Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Fourteen years later, Lindsey assumed the role of CEO and has grown the company into a global powerhouse of independent hotels, now numbering more than 650 hotels across the globe.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the non-brand’s brand. In this Q&A, Ueberroth cites the challenges facing independent hoteliers and how Preferred helps, how independent hotels stand out in a crowded marketplace and why the types of experiences today’s travelers seek out position independent properties to capture that demand.
Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Travel Group, at the Preferred Hotels & Resorts 2026 Global Conference in Charleston, S.C.
HOTELS: Preferred Travel Group recently concluded its 2026 Preferred Hotels & Resorts Global Conference. What was the biggest takeaway?
Ueberroth: The biggest takeaway was the power conversation centered around how we help independent hotels compete and thrive without compromising what makes them special in the first place. And the importance of coming together as an independent hospitality community at a moment when our industry is evolving so quickly. What was clear is that independent hotels are uniquely positioned for this moment. Travelers are seeking experiences that feel personal, distinctive and deeply connected to place. They want authenticity, not uniformity.
At the same time, independence today requires more than simply having a great product. It requires visibility, commercial sophistication, meaningful storytelling, strong distribution and the ability to connect with the right traveler. Much of the conversation centered around how we help independent hotels compete and thrive without compromising what makes them special in the first place.
HOTELS: What are the biggest challenges facing independent hoteliers today and how can Preferred Hotels & Resorts help overcome them?
Ueberroth: Independent hoteliers are navigating a highly competitive and increasingly complex environment. Rising operational costs, evolving traveler expectations, talent pressures, technological transformation and the growing influence of large-scale distribution ecosystems all create significant challenges.
Standing out has become harder, even for exceptional hotels. That is where Preferred Hotels & Resorts can create meaningful value. Our role is not to standardize hotels or ask them to fit into a predefined mold. Our role is to amplify what already makes them extraordinary. We do that through global sales and distribution capabilities, integrated marketing and communications, strategic partnerships, loyalty and increasingly through insights and technology that help hotels better understand and engage today’s luxury traveler.
Bush Creek Ranch is a collection of all-inclusive guest ranches in Saratoga, Wyo. It’s part of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection.
HOTELS: What is the place for independent hotels today, what is their distinction and how do they drive value and experience for today’s travelers?
Ueberroth: Independent hotels are not simply relevant today: They are defining the future of luxury and experiential travel. Travelers increasingly want experiences that feel original, emotional and rooted in culture and place.
Independent hotels naturally deliver that because they are often reflections of the people, communities and stories behind them. That distinction matters: The most memorable travel experiences are rarely about sameness; they are about how a place makes you feel.
At Preferred, we believe our role is to help preserve and elevate that individuality while giving hotels access to the commercial tools, global reach and brand strength needed to compete successfully on a global stage.
HOTELS: Preferred Hotels & Resorts added 20 new member properties in Q1. How do you balance global growth with adding properties that are the right fit?
Ueberroth: We believe in intentional growth. It is about building a portfolio that reflects the quality, character and diversity of experiences our travelers and hotel partners value most. Every hotel we welcome should bring something meaningful to the collection. We also spend a great deal of time evaluating alignment from both a brand and commercial perspective. We want to ensure that hotels will benefit from being part of our network and that they are positioned to actively engage with the opportunities we provide across sales, marketing, loyalty and distribution.
Grand Velas Los Cabos in Mexico is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection.
HOTELS: Loyalty programs are vital to ingratiate travelers. How does I Prefer Hotel Rewards accomplish that?
Ueberroth: What makes the program unique is that it was designed specifically for independent hotels. Our goal is not simply to drive transactions; it is to create meaningful relationships that encourage travelers to discover and connect across our global portfolio while supporting hotel profitability and long-term guest loyalty.
We continue to see strong growth in membership, engagement, revenue contribution and cross-brand stay behavior, which is a particularly important metric for us because it demonstrates that travelers are actively exploring the breadth of experiences across our network.
HOTELS: Has your vision changed at all for Preferred Hotels & Resorts? Where do you see the organization by 2030?
Ueberroth: Our vision has remained remarkably consistent. We believe in the power of independent hospitality and in travel as a force that connects people, cultures, and experiences in meaningful ways. What has evolved is the scale of opportunity in front of us and the ways we can support our hotels in an increasingly dynamic environment.
By 2030, I see Preferred Hotels & Resorts continuing to strengthen its position as the top global brand for independent luxury hospitality. Not by becoming more standardized, but by becoming even more valuable to the hotels we serve.
10 Family Trips Where Kids Can Step Into Their Favorite Movies and Shows
Dan Mihalcea/Shutterstock
https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/10-movie-filming-locations-kids-can-visit-around-the-world
Help your little film fans step into their favorite films.
Set-Jetting, or traveling to visit popular filming locations, has been popular among adults for years. But why should grown-ups get to have all the fun?
Around the world, from animated hits like Frozen and K-Pop Demon Hunters to live-action classics like Moana and How to Train Your Dragon, kids can step into the sights where their favorite pop-culture moments played out. Watch your child’s eyes light up as they get the chance to become a part of their favorite stories from the big (and small) screen. Whether your child dreams of going on a quest with Percy Jackson or checking into Hotel Transylvania, there is a set-jetting trip that will make them light up with wonder.
PHOTO: AUSTRIAN NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICE / POPP & HACKNER
1 OF 10
'Frozen'
WHERE: Hallstatt, Austria
Most of the real-life inspiration for Disney’s Frozen came from Norway and Canada. However, nearly a million fans of the movie, big and small, flock to the small town of Hallstatt, Austria, each year. The town bears a striking resemblance to Arendelle, the hometown of Anna and Elsa in the classic movie. Frozen fanatics wander through Old Town Hallstatt’s cobblestone streets and pose for photos in Marktplatz, Hallstatt’s main square, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the spot just outside Arendelle’s castle gates where Anna literally runs into Hans. While in Hallstatt, take the funicular for a picture-perfect view of Lake Hallstatt and the surrounding mountains, which closely resemble Arendelle’s fjord and landscapes. Hallstatt is about an hour from Salzburg and approximately three hours from Vienna.
For another set-jetting experience in the area, stay at the nearby Villa Trapp in Salzburg. Villa Trapp was the real-life home of the Von Trapp family, made famous by The Sound of Music. The villa is surrounded by Salzburg’s largest park, where the VonTrapp children once played.
PHOTO: CANTACUZINO CASTLE
2 OF 10
'Hotel Transylvania'
WHERE: Transylvania, Romania
Bran Castle, widely believed to be the home of Count Dracula, can easily be mistaken for Hotel Transylvania. The animated franchise, with four full-length movies and counting, remains popular among young Dracula fans. Wander through the castle for a family-friendly tour, which includes not-so-spooky royal decorations and cartoonish videos related to vampire myths and legends. Nearby, head to Cantacuzino Castle, better known on the small screen as Nevermore Academy from Netflix’s Wednesday. While there, step into a replica of the supernatural outcast’s bedroom. Both castles are near the quaint village of Brasov, filled with cafes and shops. Set in the stunning Carpathian Mountains, both can easily be visited on a day trip from Romania’s capital, Bucharest. The Eastern European capital is home to Europe’s largest bathhouse, Thereme Bucharest, which has an enormous waterpark with multiple slides and kid-friendly pools, perfect to add to a trip to Transylvania.
The historic family-friendly Aro Palace hotel in the heart of Brasov is within walking distance of the village’s Old Town and across the street from a large park. The hotel has a large indoor pool, so kids can swim year-round once they are done exploring.
PHOTO: VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
3 OF 10
'National Treasure'
WHERE: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia may be better known as the setting for Rocky, The Silver Linings Playbook, and Abbott Elementary. However, children may recognize several sites around the city from National Treasure. In the film, Nicholas Cage playing Ben Gates races around the City of Brotherly Love in search of hidden treasure linked to the Declaration of Independence. Some notable Philadelphia locations in the film include The Franklin Institute, Reading Terminal Market, and Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church. While in Philadelphia, kids can participate in a Colonial Muster, learn with hands-on exhibits at the Please Touch Museum or Franklin Institute, and play at the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse.
The Rittenhouse Hotel, located on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, is the perfect family-friendly base for exploring the city. Enjoy the hotel’s indoor pool and garden after a full day of set-jetting around the city.
PHOTO: CRISTI CROITORU/SHUTTERSTOCK
4 OF 10
'Paddington in Peru'
WHERE: Machu Picchu, Peru
The beloved Paddington Bear famously leaves his home in “darkest Peru” before settling in London. In Paddington in Peru, the beloved bear returns to his home country to help his Aunt Lucy. Along the way, Paddington travels through the country, from the bustling streets of Lima to the Andes Mountains, the Amazon Rainforest, and the legendary Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu, the legendary city of the Incan empire, also features prominently in other children’s movies, including Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and The Emperor’s New Groove.
Travel in Paddington’s footsteps on a small-group family tour through Peru with Intrepid. The tour takes families through the jungle, ancient Incan ruins, and the mountains with plenty of family-friendly activities along the way. Bring along your own Paddington for photo ops at each stop.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF VIKING VILLAGE
5 OF 10
'How to Train Your Dragon'
WHERE: Iceland
The original How to Train Your Dragon drew much of its inspiration from Iceland’s dramatic landscape. When the movie transformed from an animated hit to a live-action film, Iceland was a natural choice for many of the movie’s otherworldly, magical scenes. Iceland’s South Coast serves as the backdrop for dramatic flight scenes and dragon battles. Vestrahorn Mountain’s jagged peaks and black sand beaches also appear in the movie. For an immersive experience, visit the Viking Village to learn more about how dragon-trainers Hiccup and Astrid might have lived. Other family-friendly movies filmed in Iceland include Justice League, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Rogue One, Batman Begins, and more.
Hotel Ranga on Iceland’s South Coast makes a great base for exploring filming locations in the area. The family-friendly hotel has a game room, northern lights wake-up calls with hot chocolate, and plenty of space for kids to wander the grounds. Icelandair offers discounts on children’s fares to Iceland to make getting there easier.
PHOTO: SANDRA FOYT/SHUTTERSTOCK
6 OF 10
'Moana'
WHERE: Oahu, Hawai’i
Moana isn’t exactly set in Hawai’i. Instead, the film is about a legend set in the South Pacific 2,000 years ago. However, the live-action movie was filmed at various locations on Oahu, Hawai’i, including Pokai Bay, Manoa Falls, and the Ka’ala Mountains, as well as various points around Honolulu. In Pokai Bay, families can try their hand at wayfaring on an Outrigger Canoe, just like Moana. Then, take a gentle hike through a lush rainforest to reach Manoa Falls. Other family favorites, including Lilo & Stitch, Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, and Finding ‘Ohana were also filmed in Oahu.
The Royal Hawaiian in Oahu is a pink palace suitable for princesses and princes. A short drive to both Pokai Bay and Manoa Falls, the beachfront hotel has a pool and is steps away from the white sand Waikiki Beach, known for its calm waters.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF PUERTO VALLARTA TOURISM BOARD
7 OF 10
'Coco'
WHERE: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
The classic animated movie Coco takes place on the Day of the Dead in Mexico. Several places around the country inspired the film, but the best way to step into a real-life Coco is to visit Mexico during the joyful celebration when the country comes alive with food, drink, and enduring love for friends and family who have passed on. Puerto Vallarta is a perfect, family-friendly town to experience Day of the Dead. Each year, the city comes alive with vibrant marigolds that help guide souls back to earth, music, parades, nonstop festivities, and cultural performances. During Day of the Dead festivities, Puerto Vallarta’s waterfront Malecon is home to a display right out of Coco, including an enormous skeleton called a Catrina, sugar skulls, ofrendas, and other fantastical works of art created to mark the occasion.
The beachfront Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa is the perfect family-friendly destination for Day of the Dead. The resort hosts its own Day of the Dead celebration, and is close to the town center. The hotel has a kids’ club and a family pool, so kids can relax while enjoying Coco-inspired activities.
PHOTO: FLYING CAMERA/SHUTTERSTOCK
8 OF 10
'K-Pop Demon Hunters'
WHERE: Seoul, South Korea
Fans of Huntrix and the Saja Boys will recognize K-Pop Demon Hunter sites around Seoul, South Korea. Kids can live out their K-Pop Demon Hunters dreams by visiting Namsan Seoul Tower, which can be seen in several of the hit movies’ battle scenes. They can also visit Lotte World Tower, which doubles as Huntrix’s high-tech headquarters, before heading to Seoul’s Olympic Stadium to see the site that was the inspiration for K-Pop Demon Hunter’s spectacular opening performance and Idol Awards. Seoul’s popular Myeongdong shopping district is where the Saja Boys sing “Soda Pop” and have a showdown with the girls from Huntrix. It’s also a great place to wander and soak up K-Pop culture. Fans will also recognize the historic Bukchon Hanok Village and Gyeongbokgung Palace from the movie as well.
Stay at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, situated high on an iconic hilltop. It’s next to the expansive Namsan Park, which has a playground and kid-friendly walking trails. The hotel has indoor and outdoor pools along with a playroom, making it an exceptionally family-friendly choice.
PHOTO: SVEN HANSCHE/SHUTTERSTOCK
9 OF 10
'Percy Jackson & The Olympians'
WHERE: Greece
If your child often wonders which god or goddess could be their parent, a trip to Greece is likely their dream come true. Although the Percy Jackson television show was not filmed in Greece, the country is home to many spots important to Percy’s story as the son of Poseidon. In Athens, visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon, where Percy and his friends battled Giants, then head to Olympia, where the first Olympic Games were held and where Percy and his demigod friends from Camp Half-Blood competed in a version of the games.
Explore Greece with other Percy Jackson fans and mythology fanatics. Intrepid offers small-group family tours that hit many of the spots important to Percy Jackson’s story, from Athens to Olympia.
PHOTO: THE ROSEATE VILLA BATH
10 OF 10
'Willie Wonka'
WHERE: Bath, England
Key scenes of the 2023 film adaptation of Wonka were filmed across the pond in Bath, England. Fans of the whimsical retelling of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will recognize Bath Abbey, Parade Gardens, the 17th-century Colonnades, and picturesque Bath Street, among other sites around town. To get in the Wonka spirit, try your hand at making your own fudge at the Bath Fudge Kitchen and try a handcrafted hot chocolate at Knoops Bath. While in Bath, parents can explore Bridgerton filming locations throughout the town.
The Roseate Villa Bath is set across two restored Victorian homes. The hotel is in the heart of Bath, within easy walking distance of the city. The hotel has Wonka-esque vibes and offers high tea with plenty of sweets to help make children feel as though they won the golden ticket.
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