Monday, September 15, 2025
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Southeast Asia Pickleball showdown

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 27 August 2025: Two straight weeks of pickleball action are on the horizon, with PPA Tour Asia bringing back-to-back Cups to the region. 

Malaysia and Vietnam are set to host the most prominent names and most hardcore fans, as pickleball continues to take over the continent’s courts. 

Double cups up for grabs at the Vietnam and Malaysia Pickleball contests.

The action starts with the Malaysia Cup (24 to 28 September 2025) at 9Pickle Setia Alam and Setia City Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, before moving straight into the Vietnam Cup (30 September- 4 October 2025) at Tien Son Sports Arena and Tuyen Son Sports Complex in Da Nang. 

With a USD150,000 professional prize pool at each stop and world-class venues waiting, the events have already locked in some serious star power.  

“We are excited to bring our inaugural PPA Tour Asia Cups to Malaysia and Vietnam in collaboration with our hosts Bold D Court and Manage, and Americas & Asia Connect Company, respectively. Attracting the globe’s best pickleball athletes to the region, fans will be able to watch players from the region challenge the best of the best as the sport continues to grow rapidly across Asia,” said UPA Asia Managing Director Kimberly Koh.

Amateur action will be a key part of both tournaments. Players of all ages and divisions will compete alongside the pros, with gold medals and bragging rights up for grabs across both weeks.

About PPA Tour Asia
PPA Tour Asia features a three-tier tournament structure — Slam, Cup and Open events — ensuring all regions and levels of competition experience the premier pickleball tour. Points earned at these events count towards the PPA Tour Asia Rankings, as players chase the prestigious No.1 crown – the ultimate recognition for dominance in Asian professional pickleball.

About UPA Asia
UPA Asia, operating the PPA Tour Asia, is the premier professional and amateur pickleball tour in Asia, dedicated to expanding the sport’s highest level across the region. By forging strategic partnerships and delivering exceptional tournament experiences, it positions pickleball as a leading sport in Asia.

PPA Tour Asia: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn

(Source: PPA Tour Asia by UPA Asia)

Etihad increases July passenger traffic

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TTR WEEKLY
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ABU DHABI, 27 August 2025: Etihad Airways has released its traffic statistics for July 2025, reporting continued growth in passenger volumes and network expansion.

In July, Etihad carried 2 million passengers, a 19% increase compared to July 2024, when the airline flew 1.7 million passengers. The passenger load factor rose to 90%, up from 89% in the same month last year, reflecting strong demand and efficient capacity management.

Photo credit: Etihad. Fleet expansion continues with the arrival of Etihad’s first A321LR.

Etihad’s operating fleet now stands at 111 aircraft, supporting a growing network of 81 passenger destinations, up from 76 a year earlier. These figures underscore the airline’s ongoing investment in fleet and route development.

Etihad welcomed 12.2 million passengers year-to-date, a 17% increase over the same period in 2024. The average passenger load factor for 2025 so far is 88%, compared to 86% in the previous year. The airline’s rolling 12-month total has reached 20.3 million passengers, further solidifying its position among the region’s fastest-growing carriers.

Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves commented: “Our fleet expansion continues with the notable arrival of our first A321LR. July was a record month, with five new aircraft joining Etihad, including two Boeing 787s, an Airbus A350-1000, an A320, alongside the inaugural A321LR. These additions reflect our commitment to growth and boosting capacity across our global network.”

July performance highlights

Note: (1) Including short-term aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (“ACMI”) leases. Operating fleet includes freighters.

The All Indonesia kicks off at three gateways

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TTR WEEKLY
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BALI, 27 August 2025: Indonesia has introduced a unified digital portal, named “All Indonesia”, to streamline immigration, customs, and health procedures into a single form, replacing multiple separate processes like SATUSEHAT (health declaration) and e-CD (customs declaration) online forms, the Bali Hotels Association reports this week.

The nationwide rollout started on 18 August 2025 and is expected to be completed by October 2025, gradually replacing the old paper forms. The system is currently available for arrivals at airports in Jakarta, Bali, and Surabaya.

Photo credit: All Indonesia portal.

In a statement advising travellers heading for Bali, the association clarifies the process that is now required at all international border entry points.

Travellers fill out this form within 3 days (ideally 72 hours) before arrival.

The process takes about 2.5 minutes to complete. 

Upon submission, a QR code is generated and sent via email, which must be presented to immigration/customs upon arrival.

All travellers visiting Indonesia must complete the new All Indonesia Arrival Card.

It’s a mandatory digital entry declaration covering immigration, customs and health declarations, but does not replace visa requirements. 

More information on the All Indonesia arrival form is available here. 

Source: The Welcome Back To Bali Team
www.welcomebacktobali.com

Japan’s ZIPAIR steps up Bangkok flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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TOKYO, 27 August 2025: ZIPAIR Tokyo, a Japanese low-cost airline, confirmed it is adding flights on three popular routes from its home base at Tokyo Narita to Bangkok, Vancouver and Houston.

On the Tokyo Narita – Bangkok (BKK) route, the airline will increase flights from daily to 10 flights per week, starting with the switch to the winter timetable on 27 October, deploying a Boeing 787-8.

Photo credit: ZIPAIR.

Tokyo – Bangkok flight schedule

ZG055 departs Tokyo Narita (NRT) at 1505 and arrives in Bangkok (BKK) at 1945. (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday).
ZG056 departs Bangkok (BKK) at 2215 and arrives in Tokyo Narita (NRT) at 0635 plus a day.  

ZG051 departs Tokyo Narita (NRT) at 1700 and arrives in Bangkok (BKK) at 2140 (daily).
ZG052 departs Bangkok (BKK) at 2310 and arrives in Tokyo Narita (NRT) at 0730 plus a day (daily).

Flights to North America

Flights on the Tokyo Narita – Houston route will increase from three to four flights weekly 

On the Tokyo Narita – Vancouver route,  flights will increase from three to five flights weekly.

Fares on the three routes

AirAsia dumps Bali-Cairns service

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TTR WEEKLY
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JAKARTA, 27 August 2025: AirAsia Indonesia confirms the suspension of its Bali (DPS) – Cairns (CNS) route, effective 19 September 2025, citing the decision was “part of its demand-driven network optimisation strategy, focused on maintaining value-driven travel options.”

Photo credit: Cairns Airport. Off the Indonesia AirAsia grid for now.
https://www.cairnsairport.com.au/

AirAsia Indonesia CEO Captain Achmad Sadikin Abdurachman said: “This decision follows a thorough analysis of demand trends and route performance, ensuring that we focus our resources on the most sustainable and high-demand operations. We are committed to optimising our network in Australia to meet evolving travel needs. We understand the impact on our guests and have proactively reached out to offer flexible options, including full refunds, a credit account, or free flight change to an earlier travel date before the suspension date of 19 September 2025, on the same route within the AirAsia network, at no extra charge and subject to seat availability.”

AirAsia Indonesia said in a press statement that it remains focused on sustainable growth by strengthening key routes such as Bali–Perth, Bali–Darwin and the recently launched Bali–Adelaide. More flights on popular routes and new destinations are under review. They will be announced in due course as the airline charts its international growth strategy, leveraging Bali’s position as an island hub connecting to AirAsia’s broader network covering over 130 destinations.

Refund and credit options

AirAsia has stated that affected passengers have been contacted directly via email and SMS and offered several options:

  • A full refund;
  • A credit account for future travel with AirAsia, valid for two years;
  • A free flight change to an earlier date on the same route, before the suspension date of 19 September, 2025.

Impact on the route 

This move comes just a year after the three-times-weekly service was launched. With AirAsia’s departure, Jetstar remains the only airline operating a direct service between Denpasar and Cairns, with up to four flights per week.

MATTA Fair welcomes MAG as its premier sponsor

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 27 August 2025: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents names Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) as the Official Airline Partner and Premier Sponsor for the 57th National MATTA Fair, 5-7 September 2025, at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur.

MAG is a long-standing and valued Premier Sponsor of the MATTA Fair. For this edition of the popular national travel show, MAG will reimagine its 72 booths into a futuristic travel showcase, bringing to life its vision of becoming one of the top 10 global airlines by 2030. 

From left: MATTA Vice President Air Transport Dr Fazil Khan, MATTA president Nigel Wong, MAG Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines Dersenish Aresandiran and MAG Head of Airlines Global Sales Syazwan Ahmad Sabri.

Visitors can expect an interactive and immersive experience, spotlighting the airline’s AI-driven technology, future-forward products, and digital innovations that will redefine the way Malaysians travel at the dedicated MAG Arena.

“Travel is about the connection of places and of the people themselves. With the support of MAG, we have a partner that understands the importance of safeguarding these connections for now and the future generations,” said MATTA president Nigel Wong.

During the MATTA Fair, the MAG Arena, located at the International Hall, Level 3, will feature interactive product showcases, exclusive giveaways, and welcome well-known sports personalities from both global and local arenas.

In celebration of this partnership, MAG will also be the premier sponsor of the crowd favourite — MATTA Fair’s Buyers’ Contest — offering visitors the chance to win the journey of a lifetime. The Grand Prize is a round-trip Business Class ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Paris. At the same time, runners-up will enjoy equally enviable adventures with a round-trip Business Class ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Narita and a round-trip Economy Class ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland, and many more prizes to be won by lucky customers.

MAG Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines Dersenish Aresandiran said: “We are honoured to continue our role as the Official Airline Partner and Premier Sponsor for MATTA Fair 2025…Through Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, MASwings, Amal, and our other subsidiaries, we connect people and places seamlessly, offering travellers both the richness of Malaysia and the opportunities of the wider world. We look forward to welcoming visitors to MATTA Fair with our signature Malaysian Hospitality, while supporting Visit Malaysia 2026 and inspiring people to explore, connect, and experience Malaysia.”

To ensure a smooth visitor experience, MATTA Fair offers free admission and is open from 1000 to 2100 from Friday to Sunday. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the complimentary shuttle services from KL Sentral and Sunway Putra Mall to MITEC. For those driving, parking facilities are available at the South Entrance basement in MITEC, MITI basement, MATRADE open parking and The MET basement.

For the latest updates, visit mattafair.org.my.

Healthcare Travel Council launches wellness fair

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 26 August 2025: The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) introduced the first edition of its MH Wellness Fair 2025 series on 23 August, themed “Young & Healthy Champions.” 

Held at The Campus, Ampang, MH Wellness Fair 2025 featured a line-up of activities, exclusive wellness packages, and engaging sessions designed to encourage preventive healthcare, fitness, and mental well-being.

Health Insights

Dental Care: Oral Health for Kids and Teens” by Dr. Tracey Lau Phui Yi, Kheng Dental Clinic.

Heart Disease: If We Know the Enemy, Why Are We Still Losing?” by Dr. Abdul Arif Shaparudin, Cardiologist, Institut Jantung Negara (IJN).

“Stop the Progression: Myopia Control for Children” by Dr Ng Chun Wai, OPTIMAX Eye Specialist Centre.

Recovery: Mental & Emotional Health with Aromatherapy & Cakra Energy by Redzuan Sabar, AMSPA member from Treat Me Wellness Centre.

Fitness & Fun: Babel Fit’s “MoveQuest Adventure Park,” immersive workouts, family dance sessions, and recovery lounge experiences.

Wellness Experiences – Complimentary massages, posture checks, spa vouchers, and a marketplace featuring over 20 local health and lifestyle vendors.

Culture & Tradition: A captivating performance of Anggalang Magunatip, the traditional bamboo dance of Sabah, alongside the Integration of Malaysian traditional games like Congkak and Batu Seremban that promote coordination, reflexes, and intergenerational bonding.

The fair also emphasised inclusivity, providing a welcoming environment for both locals and expatriates of all ages to explore Malaysia’s healthcare and tourism offerings. As MHTC prepares for the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026, this initiative served as a platform to showcase Malaysia’s strengths in healthcare and wellness, while fostering community engagement and promoting healthier living for all. For more information, visit https://malaysiahealthcare.org/.

IHG opens its second voco in Vietnam

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TTR WEEKLY
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DONG HOI, Vietnam, 26 August 2025: IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened voco Quang Binh Resort By IHG, the first international resort in Quang Binh (now part of Quang Tri province). 

The all-suite-and-villa resort also marks the second voco property to open in Vietnam, alongside the voco Ma Belle Danang – By IHG, which opened in 2023.

Photo credit: IHG. Voco Quang Binh Resort By IHG.

Voco Quang Binh Resort By IHG is a great gateway to explore the province of Quang Binh.

Located in Dong Hoi, voco Quang Binh Resort By IHG offers 68 suites and beachfront villas with between 43 sqm and 300 sqm, which have direct access to Bao Ninh beach. The resort features Flamingo Restaurant, an all-day dining concept and Oasis Pool Bar, a vantage point to watch the spectacular Vietnamese sunset.

Voco Quang Binh Resort By IHG also introduces Yen Spa & Wellness, the resort’s spa featuring tranquil spa treatment rooms, a Yin Yang foot spa, a rejuvenating hydrotherapy pool, sauna rooms and salon. 

Yen Spa is a comprehensive wellness and spa centre, including an indoor and outdoor pool.

Quang Binh Resort By IHG is also a gateway for a journey through the magnificent beauty of “the Kingdom of Caves”. From here, guests can explore Son Doong Cave, the largest cave in the world, which is home to towering stalagmites, underground rivers, a jungle with wildlife, and a 116-kilometre-long coastline with picturesque beaches such as Nhat Le and Da Nhay. Guests can also look to visit the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, kayak on Mooc spring, experience Vietnam’s longest zipline, mud bathing at Chay river, or visit the spiritual cultural site of Lieu Hanh Mother Temple.

Thomas Cook India taps Google Pay

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TTR WEEKLY
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MUMBAI, 26 August 2025: Thomas Cook (India) Limited has introduced contactless cross-border payments via Google Pay & Mastercard, addressing the growing demand for seamless international transactions. 

Thomas Cook’s pioneering initiative with Google Pay enables Indian travellers to make secure overseas payments via their mobile device across accommodation, transport, dining, shopping and more. This eliminates the need to carry physical cards, reducing the stress of card loss/theft, replacement hassles or the need for emergency cash.

Photo credit: Thomas Cook India

The contactless Tap-and-Pay/online feature is available across Thomas Cook’s suite of prepaid forex cards — Borderless Travel, One Currency, Study Buddy and EnterpriseFX— offering both an additional layer of security via tokenisation and extensive access at more than 270 million Mastercard merchant locations. Customers merely need to add their Thomas Cook forex cards to Google Pay for a simple, swift, secure and seamless payment experience.

Key Benefits

  • Seamless addition of Thomas Cook’s range of forex prepaid cards to Google Pay.
  • Contactless and quick payments via a handheld device.
  • Enhanced security with tokenisation.
  • Global access – transact smoothly and seamlessly at 270 million merchant locations and online.
  • Avoids having to carry a physical card. Avoids the stress of card loss/theft/replacement, as well as the need for emergency cash.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited Executive  Vice President – Foreign Exchange, Deepesh Varma said: “Today’s Indian traveller demands simple, real-time and secure digital solutions for their overseas payments. We are delighted to lead the charge in embracing digital innovation via the launch of our contactless payment solutions in collaboration with Google Pay and Mastercard. This collaboration combines the domain expertise of Thomas Cook (foreign exchange), the tech prowess of Google Pay and Mastercard’s global payment network. We have built a robust, borderless payment ecosystem that perfectly aligns with India’s new-age traveller seeking frictionless experiences across the world.

This innovation underscores our commitment to driving digital adoption, strengthening security and delivering seamless access — reiterating Thomas Cook’s leadership in India’s cross-border payments space.”

Mastercard, Senior Vice President, Products and Solutions, South Asia, Ravi Datla added: “Mastercard is at the forefront of transforming the travel experience for its cardholders through innovative and secure payment solutions. The seamless integration of Thomas Cook’s forex prepaid cards with Google Pay underscores our commitment to supporting contactless, tokenised, and globally accessible payment solutions. This new offering eliminates the need to carry physical cards—reducing the stress of loss or theft and removing the inconvenience of replacements or emergency cash. With enhanced security and access to millions of merchant locations worldwide, Mastercard continues to empower travellers to explore with greater confidence, convenience, and peace of mind.”

HKIA: Air traffic continues to grow in July

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 26 August 2025: Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) handled 5.2 million passengers and 33,670 flight movements during July, representing 9.7% and 8.3% year-on-year growth, respectively. 

While transfer and transit passengers continued to experience growth from a low base, overall passenger traffic growth softened due to adverse weather and a decline in travel demand to Japan.

Photo credit HKIA. Terminal 1.

Cargo throughput saw a 3.9% year-on-year increase to 430,000 in July, mainly driven by more substantial traffic to/ from Europe and the Middle East, which offset declines in traffic to/ from North America.

For the first seven months of the year, passenger volume rose to 34.6 million, while flight movements increased to 226,020, experiencing growth of 15.3% and 9.8% respectively, compared to the same period of 2024. Cargo throughput recorded a year-on-year increase of 2.2% to 2.83 million tonnes for the same period.

On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume grew by 17.3% year-on-year to 57.6 million, while flight movements increased by 13.1% to 383,450. Cargo throughput rose by 5.4% year-on-year to about 5 million tonnes.

Meanwhile, HKIA continues to expand its extensive air network with airlines resuming more routes and launching new ones in recent months. Notable additions include Munich, Rome and Brussels in Europe; Subang in Southeast Asia; Yiwu and Datong in Mainland China, among others, further reinforcing the airport’s role as an international aviation hub in Asia.

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