Easy to learn and highly social, Pickleball suits groups of friends and families, and travellers now plan whole trips around it. 

Digital travel platform Agoda highlights six destinations where players can easily book courts, enjoy good weather, and still have plenty to explore after the last rally.

Higashi-Izu, Japan

Few places combine a serious pickleball facility with a hot-spring town quite like Inatori, on the Izu coast. Izu Resort Villa’s recently opened complex, described as Japan’s largest, gives players room to settle in for a long morning of doubles. In early spring, the town is hung with traditional silk hina-doll decorations, and early cherry blossoms open along the nearby Kawazu River. After a morning on court and an afternoon among the blossoms, the day ends the right way: soaking in an onsen.

George Town, Penang, Malaysia

At Pickle By The Sea on Gurney Drive, the courts sit right on the waterfront, so a match comes with sea air and a view. The venue is also on the professional circuit, having hosted the APP Asia Penang Open. Come around Lunar New Year, when George Town’s heritage streets fill with lanterns, and end your day with a walk through some of Malaysia’s most photogenic streets.

Da Nang, Vietnam

Da Nang pairs a long stretch of coastline with a growing pickleball scene. Courts near My Khe Beach have helped make the city one of Vietnam’s pickleball hubs, and the Pickleball World Cup has since put it on the international map. Play early, before the heat sets in, then spend the rest of the day on the sand. As evening falls, head to nearby Hoi An, where the old town glows beneath its lanterns.

Davao, Philippines

Davao has its own dedicated pickleball venue, Pickletown, where youth and adult players gather for the Kosmas Pickle Fest as the Philippine game grows quickly. The sport is still finding its feet here, and visitors can feel that energy on court. After the games, cool off in the highland air of Mount Apo’s foothills.

Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

For travellers who want to be close to the action as Pickleball grows in Selangor, Shah Alam is a calm, green base. Tourism Selangor is backing pickleball tournaments to broaden the state’s visitor appeal, giving visiting players more reason to come. During Ramadan, enthusiasts can play before sunset, then join evening bazaars filled with grilled satay and kuih.

Singapore

Singapore has been carving out space for Pickleball in the heart of the city. Dual-use courts at The Kallang are open to the public, making it easy to slot in a casual game between city sights. The sport has also reached the professional stage, with PPA Tour Asia bringing its Singapore Open to Singapore Expo. A morning of doubles pairs well with a relaxed meal at a hawker centre after.

Jun Dong, Vice President, Supply at Agoda, shared: “Pickleball is inherently social, and travellers are planning around friends and family, wanting a court in the morning, something to explore in the afternoon, and a comfortable place to stay. At Agoda, we’re making it easier to find stays near great courts, including in destinations travellers may not have considered yet, so the trip is as rewarding as the game.”

Travellers can search for flights, accommodations, and activities around pickleball venues across Asia on Agoda.com or the Agoda app.

(Source: Agoda)

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These services, which sustain the aviation sector’s robustness, will grow at a 3.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), supporting an increasing world aircraft fleet of 45,550 by 2045. Over the same 20-year period, passenger numbers will double to 10 billion.

This will create a cumulative need for 730,000 maintenance technicians, 660,000 pilots, and 1,050,000 cabin crew, totalling more than 2.44 million additional skilled people.

Digital solutions and connectivity underpin all sectors of the services market, helping airlines improve operational efficiency, reduce disruptions such as delays and cancellations, increase maintenance agility, and provide real-time connectivity to meet passenger expectations for a seamless journey.

Airbus’ GSF outlines six key service segments

Off-Wing Maintenance (2045: US$217 billion, +3.7% CAGR) — Doubling in value driven by an increasing number of shop visits due to an ageing and growing global fleet. Material supply is significant, reflecting demand for parts support and repair.

Maintenance Operations Support (2045: US$104 billion, +4.3% CAGR) — This new cluster includes on-time inventory provision, quality, and engineering support to ensure continued airworthiness and aircraft reliability.

On-Wing Maintenance (2045: US$36 billion, +2.8% CAGR) — Covers light inspections through heavy checks and is growing in line with the expanding global fleet.

Digital & connectivity (2045: US$27 billion, +5.3% CAGR) — The fastest-growing market, this is expected to triple over the next two decades.

Modifications & Upgrades (2045: US$21 billion, +2.6% CAGR) — Upgrades of older aircraft through cabin retrofits and modern technology integration. 

Training (2045: US$17 billion, +3.1% CAGR) — Addressing a massive new workforce requirement, the industry must intensify efforts to attract and train new talent.

Over the next 20 years, Europe & CIS, North America, and China will remain the largest services markets by total demand, while Asia (Asia-Pacific, China, and South Asia) is projected to be the fastest-growing. The Airbus GSF is aircraft agnostic, focusing on passenger jets with capacities exceeding 100 seats and freighters with payload capabilities above 10 tonnes.

(Source: Airbus)

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Comprising leaders and professionals from Nepal’s tourism and hospitality sector, the Advisory Committee provides guidance and insights into the association’s strategic initiatives.

PATA Nepal Chapter Advisory Committee 2026-2028:

• Dipendra Purush Dhakal, Former Secretary, Ministry of Tourism;
• Prativa Pandey, Medical Director, CIWEC Hospital;
• Bijay Amatya, CEO, Kora Tours;
• Ashok Pokharel, Director & COO, Shangri-La Tours;
• Deepak Raj Joshi, Former CEO, Nepal Tourism Board;
• Bibhuti Chand Thakur, Managing Director & Founder, Himalayan Holidays;
• Bikram Pandey, Founder, BuddhistCircuits.com;
• Shiva Dhakal, Managing Director, Royal Mountain Travel.

PATA Nepal Chapter Chairman Narendra Bhatta and the Executive Committee thanked each member for accepting their appointment to the Advisory Committee. 

“We look forward to their valued guidance as we work together to continue advancing responsible and sustainable tourism in Nepal,” the Executive Committee stated.

(Source: PATA Nepal Chapter)

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Fully renovated to reflect Travelodge’s refreshed brand look, the hotel offers travellers a comfortable base in the heart of Gangnam, close to COEX and the district’s business, shopping, dining, fashion and cultural destinations.

Travelodge Gangnam Yeoksam Seoul is designed around the essentials of a good stay, with well-appointed rooms, comfortable beds, modern bathrooms, a satisfying breakfast and practical spaces to relax and recharge.

The hotel offers a spacious co-working lounge, a fitness centre, and meeting facilities for up to 60 people. Guests who need to work can use the business centre as a casual workspace. In contrast, the guest lounge provides space to relax, with a microwave and hydration centre available for added convenience.

BON Food Service, an established Korean food-service operator with experience in catering and food-service operations, provides breakfast. A GS25 convenience store is also scheduled to open at the hotel by the end of October.

Located in Yeoksam, Gangnam, Travelodge Gangnam Yeoksam Seoul offers convenient access to Seoul’s business district, cultural landmarks and shopping destinations. Just 600 metres away, Seolleung and Jeongneung Royal Tombs showcase Korea’s royal history, while Bongeunsa Temple, near COEX, offers a glimpse into traditional Buddhist culture.

Business travellers can reach COEX Convention & Exhibition Centre, Starfield Mall, and Library within a 15-minute bus or subway ride. The Gangnam Station Shopping District offers dining, shopping, and nightlife, while Lotte World, about 30 minutes away by subway, offers family entertainment. For fashion, beauty and café culture, guests can explore Garosu-gil and Apgujeong Rodeo.

To celebrate the opening, Stay Gold in Gangnam offers eligible guests who book directly from October 2026 to January 2027 a chance to win a 24K gold bar through the hotel’s Fortune Wheel.

(Source: Travelodge Hotels Asia)

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The airline, which has received this award in previous years, was the only international airline to be recognised in this category at this year’s event. 

The 10th anniversary edition of the awards ceremony was held earlier this month at Hotel Barcelo Nasandhura in Male, Maldives, bringing together prominent industry stakeholders, such as government ministers, distinguished dignitaries, diplomats, and senior representatives from leading airlines and their head offices.

Commenting on the achievement, SriLankan Airlines Head of Commercial Dimuthu Tennakoon stated: “We are honoured to receive recognition at the South Asian Travel Awards 2026. Being named the Leading International Airline in the Visitors’ Choice Awards once again meaningfully acknowledges our commitment to serving our passengers and strengthening our presence in the region. This award inspires us to continue enhancing the travel experience we offer and to build stronger connections with the markets and communities we serve.”

SriLankan Airlines operates an extensive flight network with convenient connections to destinations worldwide. In South Asia, the airline operates nearly 130 flights each week to 15 destinations across India, Pakistan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Bangladesh. 

The airline operates an all-Airbus fleet, comprising A330-200/300 and A320/321 aircraft. 

(Source: SriLankan Airlines).

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‘Aussie Specialist’ travel agents came from 17 tourism source markets, including China, the US and Canada, the UK and Europe, India, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia and New Zealand to participate in the three-day event.

Designed to expand agents’ knowledge, skills and confidence in selling Australia, the event brought Aussie Specialist certified travel agents together for face-to-face meetings with Australian tourism businesses, with opportunities to see Australia firsthand during pre- or post-event familiarisations across the country, supported by all States and Territories.

Tourism Australia Managing Director, Robin Mack, commented: “We’re extremely proud to deliver this event in partnership with the Northern Territory, home to stunning wilderness areas and National Parks including Uluru: iconic, instantly recognisable to visitors and culturally significant for our First Nations peoples.

“The Aussie Specialist Program is Tourism Australia’s signature training program with 40,000 qualified travel agents selling Australia to the world through their exceptional knowledge of Australia’s tourism offering.

“Together with our airline partners, we are bringing around 300 Aussie Specialist agents to Darwin, with more than half of them visiting Australia for the first time. Before and after the event, they will travel around the country to personally experience what Australia has to offer and increase their ability to encourage visitors to plan and book an unforgettable trip.”

Tourism and Events NT CEO, Suzana Bishop, added: “With 26 sellers showcasing their products and more than 130 Territory businesses providing services and experiences, G’day Australia is creating opportunities right across our visitor economy, from accommodation and dining to transport, retail and tours. 

“These businesses will benefit from immediate spending while helping show international travel agents what makes a Territory holiday exceptional. That firsthand experience can translate into stronger recommendations, future bookings and lasting benefits for our industry.”

In total, G’day Australia welcomed over 500 attendees, including 122 Australian tourism businesses nationwide, with support from Tourism Australia and Tourism and Events NT staff on the ground. 

Tourism Australia delivered G’day Australia 2026 in partnership with Tourism and Events NT and its official airline partner, Singapore Airlines.

(Source: Tourism Australia)

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Australians made 588,490 trips to Vietnam through August 2026, up 17.4%. In August alone, trips jumped 30.3%.

China and Japan are also surging. Trips to China rose 13.1% to 750,870, and Japan is now just shy of one million Australian visitors. Together with Vietnam, they added almost 250,000 trips over the year.

Australians took 12.77 million overseas trips in total, up 3.2%.

The findings come from the ATIA October 2026 Travel Trends Report, based on Australian Bureau of Statistics overseas arrivals and departures data analysed by ATIA. (Reporting period: overseas departures to August 2026). 

Asia climbs the rankings

Australians made 750,870 trips to China in the year to August, up 13.1%. 

India has also increased in popularity as a destination with 622,820 Australian visitors, up 5.3%.

Vietnam was the fastest-growing major destination, up 17.4% to 588,490 visitors. That leaves it just 60 trips short of the UK, on 588,550.

Favourites hold firm

Indonesia remains Australians’ most popular destination, with 1.81 million trips, up 3.2%. New Zealand follows with 1.50 million, up 5.6%.

Japan ranks third, with 989,240 Australian visitors, up 8.1%.

Classic favourites still in demand

The US and UK remain two of the most popular long-haul destinations for Australians, with 678,390 and 588,550 Australian visitors respectively in the year to August. Both eased on last year, while Asia saw the strongest growth.

Seven of Australia’s top ten destinations grew year on year.

August standouts

Australians made 986,230 overseas trips in August, up 1.5% on the same month last year.

Vietnam led the month, up 30.3% to 45,630 trips. Fiji rose 13.7% to 41,950, Indonesia climbed 10.6% to 178,830, and New Zealand grew 6.6% to 120,830.

Travellers can find an ATIA-accredited travel agent or tour operator at traveltick.com.au.

ATIA Director of Compliance and Membership Nina Hedges commented: “Australians’ appetite for travel keeps growing. Australians took 12.77 million overseas trips over the past year, up 3.2%, with almost 400,000 more journeys than the year before. That’s a strong vote of confidence in travel.

“Asia has become the region Australians can’t get enough of. Travel to China is up more than 13% on last year, and Japan is sitting just shy of one million Australian visitors. That’s a remarkable shift in a short space of time.

“Vietnam is the one to watch. It’s growing faster than any other major destination and sits just 60 trips behind the UK. On current trends, it won’t stay behind for long.

“The US and UK are still important markets, with more than half a million Australians visiting each of them every year. Wherever people are heading, an ATIA-accredited travel agent or tour operator can help them plan with confidence and book with a business that meets the industry’s standards.”

(Source: ATIA www.atia.travel)

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The voyages, available for booking beginning 20 October, span Asia-Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, South America and the Atlantic, with highlights including festive voyages, Japan during cherry blossom season, scenic cruising through New Zealand’s Milford, Doubtful and Dusky sounds and Crystal Grace’s first South American season.

The launch also introduces new destinations across all three ships. 

In Japan, new calls at Akita, Amami and Kumamoto expand the itineraries across the country, from the northern coast to the southern islands. Meanwhile, Hilo, Hawaii, adds a new Pacific stop. 

In Australia, new visits include Cooktown, Port Arthur and Phillip Island, spanning Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria. Corinto, Nicaragua, and Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, add new Central American ports, while Surabaya, Indonesia, adds a new call on Java. The itineraries also include a visit to Rinca Island, home to the Komodo dragon, and scenic cruising through Japan’s Kanmon Strait, linking the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea.

Crystal Symphony

Crystal Symphony begins her season 3 October 2028, with voyages through Japan and South Korea, calling at Tokyo, Shimizu, Nagoya, Osaka, Kochi and Nagasaki before continuing to Incheon and Busan. 

Crystal Grace

Beginning 20 November 2028, Crystal Grace continues her inaugural year with a series of Caribbean voyages from Fort Lauderdale before turning south in February 2029 for her first South American season. 

Crystal Serenity

Crystal Serenity begins her season on 4 December 2028, departing Fort Lauderdale for Central America and Mexico, including new visits to Corinto and Puerto Quetzal, then sailing across the Pacific to Hawaii, French Polynesia, Australia, and Southeast Asia. 

(Source: Crystal)

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Founded in 2010, ThirdHome has grown from the ground up, expanding from North America to Europe and Australia. In 2025, the company officially launched its innovative home exchange programme in Asia, forging successful partnerships and gaining new members in Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, China and Hong Kong. 

This rapid growth is reflected in ThirdHome’s bookings, which are now nearing 100,000.

ThirdHome is now preparing for the next growth phase — its debut in Japan. As the world’s fourth-largest economy with an affluent population of well-travelled, high-net-worth individuals—including an estimated 2.9 million millionaires—Japan marks a logical step in the group’s international expansion, which counts 30,000 luxury second-home owners as members.

ThirdHome already offers a collection of residences in Japan, including chalets in popular ski resorts such as Niseko and Hakuba, and a spectacular mountain retreat in Hakone. 

After officially entering the Japanese market, ThirdHome expects to significantly expand its nationwide portfolio, focusing on exclusive urban apartments in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, ski-in, ski-out residences in Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps, culture-rich retreats in Kyoto, and even beachfront villas in Okinawa. 

Part of this growth could come through ThirdHome’s hospitality partners, including The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, Hyatt Vacation Club, and Minor Vacation Clubs. But much of the expansion will also be organic, driven by new Japanese members who offer their multi-million-dollar homes for rental.

(Source: ThirdHome)

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Digital travel platform Agoda highlights five places where the colour is just as loud, but the crowds are not.

Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge, Japan

A quieter option than Kyoto, this river gorge in Aomori runs through dense beech and maple in the country’s north. The valley reaches full colour in late October, and the walking trail beside the rapids makes leaf-viewing, or momiji-gari, best experienced on foot.

Andong, South Korea

Two hours southeast of Seoul, Andong is known for its riverside Hahoe folk village, a UNESCO-listed site of thatched houses and Confucian academies. Spend a few slow days between late October and early November, when gold and red settle over the old town and harvest-season stillness takes hold.

Taipingshan, Taiwan

Yilan’s mountain forest is a quieter alternative to Alishan. Through November, its maples and native Taiwan beech flush copper and red along former logging trails and hot-spring paths, often above a misty cloud layer.

Pahalgam & Srinagar, Kashmir, India

Kashmir’s chinar trees carry the season, their broad leaves turning deep red through late October and November across the Mughal gardens and valley orchards. The window overlaps with Diwali on 8 November, when the evenings fill with light against the last of the colour.

Pokhara, Nepal

Autumn is Nepal’s most reliable season for clear Annapurna views, dry trails and terraces turning gold. It also coincides with Tihar, the festival of lights, which brings marigolds and oil lamps through town in early November, pairing crisp mountain air with real celebration.

“Autumn colour gives travellers a reason to go somewhere new and slow down once they’re there,” said Agoda Regional Director, North Asia Jay Lee. “It can take you from a misty mountain trail to a village guesthouse, or from a quiet riverside town to a festival in full swing. Agoda is helping travellers find the stays and destinations where the season itself can be the reason to visit.”

(Source: Agoda)

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