NEW DELHI, India, 17 September 2026: Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority has deepened its engagement with India through a four-city initiative across Pune, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
It marks the third marketing operation in the country since January 2026 — reaffirming the country’s importance as a key tourism market and strengthening the longstanding cultural and people-to-people ties between Mauritius and India.
Photo credit: MTPA. Promotions in four Indian cities — Pune, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
From January to July 2026, Mauritius welcomed 51,005 Indian visitors, up 14.5% year on year. The rise reflects the destination’s continued popularity among Indian travellers and growing interest across a wider range of travel segments.
The four cities were selected for their growing outbound travel potential and role as regional travel hubs. The initiative brought together 20+ tourism partners from Mauritius, including hotels, DMCs and airlines, for direct interactions with travel professionals across the markets.
The engagements highlighted Mauritius beyond its established appeal for beach holidays, honeymoons and weddings, showcasing opportunities across leisure, family travel, luxury, MICE, wellness, golf, gastronomy and adventure. Travel advisors also gained insights into evolving traveller preferences and the destination’s diverse accommodation and experience offerings, helping them develop more varied Mauritius itineraries for their clients.
Held ahead of the upcoming travel season, the initiative also allowed the trade to familiarise themselves with the latest destination offerings and plan programmes well in advance.
For Indian travellers, Mauritius combines its beaches with a rich cultural heritage, nature, adventure, gastronomy, wellness and wildlife. Experiences such as Grand Bassin, Aapravasi Ghat, Chamarel, Black River Gorges, Le Morne Brabant and Casela offer opportunities to discover the island beyond its coastline.
The destination also benefits from visa-free access, a multicultural and multilingual population, widely available Indian culinary options, established hospitality infrastructure and direct air connectivity from key Indian cities, further supporting its appeal to the Indian market.
Commenting on the Indian outbound travel market, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority Director – India, Benoit Harter, said: “India is much more than an important tourism market for Mauritius; it is a market with which we share deep cultural and historical connections. By engaging with the market ahead of the travel season, we wanted to give our partners the time and confidence to plan and promote Mauritius more effectively.”
MTPA will continue to build on its India strategy through trade partnerships, familiarisation trips for travel agents, media initiatives, and targeted activity across major cities and emerging travel markets, focusing on presenting Mauritius as a diverse, accessible, year-round destination for Indian travellers.
Connectivity between India and Mauritius is supported by three carriers — Air Mauritius, IndiGo, and Air India — making Mauritius accessible from cities across India to the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, the island’s gateway.
Indian passport holders benefit from visa-free entry, with the visa issued free of charge on arrival at the airport, removing the need for any pre-travel paperwork. The island’s multicultural, multilingual character further eases travel: English, French, Creole, Hindi, and Bhojpuri are widely spoken, and Indian cuisine, festivals, and places of worship are part of everyday life—giving Indian visitors a sense of familiarity from the moment they arrive.
ABU DHABI, UAE, 16 September 2026: Etihad Airways launched its Beyond Borders product and experience at the Arabian Travel Market, 14 to 17 September, featuring Etihad’s new Airbus A330 cabin with all-new First, Business and Economy interiors.
Alongside the A330, Etihad showcased how the Beyond Borders look and feel will extend to the A321LR across First, Business and Economy, creating greater consistency across the Etihad journey.
Photo credit: Etihad: New business cabins on its A330neo.
The A321LR has already demonstrated Etihad’s ambition to push beyond traditional expectations, bringing First suites and fully lie-flat Business seats to a single-aisle aircraft. The product has exceeded expectations, with guests actively choosing services operated by the A321LR.
The Beyond Borders product and experience will bring greater consistency across the Etihad journey. Cabins, lounges and ground services, dining, amenities, wellbeing and connectivity will increasingly form part of one connected proposition for guests. Etihad is also doubling down on First, bringing its distinctive First experience to more aircraft, more routes and more guests.
Etihad is investing USD20 billion in new aircraft and customer experience to support its continued growth, including a USD1 billion fleet retrofit programme.
The new A330 experience
Etihad’s new Airbus A330 will enter service from September 2027, with 15 A330s joining the fleet over five years. The aircraft will support the airline’s continued growth across regional and medium-haul markets, offering a three-cabin experience designed for routes where demand for premium travel, flexibility and capacity continue to grow.
At the front of the aircraft, four First suites create an intimate cabin. Each suite features a closing door for added privacy, together with space for a companion to dine or socialise during the flight.
Each First suite will feature a 32-inch screen, wireless charging, dedicated compartments and personal stowage, alongside a personal powder station stocked with premium amenities for guests to use during their journey and take with them after the flight.
The First experience brings together personalisation, Etihad hospitality, dining and an elevated end-to-end journey, creating a distinctive First experience for the A330.
The Business cabin features 24 fully lie-flat seats, all forward-facing with direct aisle access and sliding doors for added privacy. Each seat includes a 17.3-inch screen, wireless and wired charging, a large table and dedicated personal stowage.
Economy features 252 seats in a bright, calm cabin environment, with Etihad’s bespoke fixed-wing headrest embossed with the airline’s logo, 13.3-inch 4K touchscreens, and convenient personal charging. A dedicated Extra Legroom section includes 32 seats with four inches of extra pitch for added comfort.
The A330 will play an important role in Etihad’s regional and medium-haul network, bringing greater flexibility to high-demand routes across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Its three-cabin configuration brings the full Etihad premium experience, including First, to these important markets.
SINGAPORE, 16 September 2026: Railbookers Group, an independent rail holiday operator, is making rail holidays across Europe, North America and beyond easier for Singapore travellers to book by packaging trains, hotels, sightseeing and transfers into a single arrangement.
The company opened its Singapore hub in October 2025, its sixth source market alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US. It now offers more than 5,200 rail journeys worldwide.SINGAPORE, 16 September 2026: Railbookers Group, an independent rail holiday operator, is making rail holidays across Europe, North America and beyond easier for Singapore travellers to book, packaging the train, hotels, sightseeing and transfers into a single arrangement.
Photo credit: Railbookers. Bernina Express.
The company opened its Singapore hub in October 2025, its sixth source market alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US. It now offers more than 5,200 rail journeys worldwide.
New Asian itineraries, beginning with Vietnam, will also join the range over the coming year.
Each itinerary can be booked as soon as the next day or up to two years ahead, and because trains run on any day the service operates, there are no fixed departure dates to work around. Travellers set their own timing instead of working around a group’s and move between destinations without the hassle of air travel.
The approach is built around the part travellers find hardest to do themselves. Ticketing systems, booking windows, seat reservation rules and overnight service conditions differ between countries and between operators, and a single mistake can unpick a whole trip. A 24-hour global hotline covers travellers and agents when services are disrupted. Last year the group re-accommodated more than 3,500 travellers affected by delays, strikes and track works.
“Rail is growing exponentially, and it is in the middle of a genuine renaissance,” said Railbookers Group President and CEO Frank Marini.
“Our job is to keep giving travellers more. More destinations, more routes, and more ways to build a holiday around the journey itself. Growing what we offer in Asia is part of that, and there is a great deal more to come.”
Where Singaporeans are going
Europe accounts for the large majority of bookings from this region, with the strongest itineraries running through Switzerland, Italy and the Alps, along with the Berlin to Prague to Vienna to Budapest corridor.
Demand for luxury rail from Asia has grown considerably since the pandemic, driven by the history, glamour, and exclusivity of classic trains. One in four searches from the region is focused on premium and luxury rail. Beyond the once-in-a-lifetime marquee luxury trips, scenic and premium services such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express panoramic trains through the Swiss Alps are among the perennial top sellers.
Bookings from Southeast Asia are led by small parties, typically families of two to four travelling together, alongside a meaningful share of solo travellers. Travellers here book in shorter windows than Western markets, typically three to six months out, making Railbookers’ flexibility and ability to make any travel date a benefit.
“Europe is where most of this region’s rail bookings go, and that is not changing soon,” said Railbookers Group Vice President for Asia Nick Lim. “However, a European rail holiday could be the big trip of the year, and what we are building within Asia is for the rest of the calendar. Trains are second nature to many of the people here. Less familiar is the train as the holiday itself, with the route, the hotels, and the stops all built around it. Closer to home, over a long weekend or a week, that is a far easier first step to take.”
Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines are currently generating business for the group. North Asia and Greater China are earmarked for development in the first half of 2027.
Railbookers Group operates through its brands, Railbookers and Amtrak Vacations, which work with national rail operators including Deutsche Bahn, Swiss Federal Railways, Trenitalia and Via Rail, as well as leading luxury rail brands.
New Asian itineraries, beginning with Vietnam, will also join the range over the coming year.
Each itinerary can be booked as soon as the next day or up to two years ahead, and because trains run on any day the service operates, there are no fixed departure dates to work around. Travellers set their own timing instead of working around a group’s and move between destinations without the hassle of air travel.
The approach is built around the part travellers find hardest to do themselves. Ticketing systems, booking windows, seat reservation rules and overnight service conditions differ between countries and between operators, and a single mistake can unpick a whole trip. A 24-hour global hotline covers travellers and agents when services are disrupted. Last year the group re-accommodated more than 3,500 travellers affected by delays, strikes and track works.
“Rail is growing exponentially, and it is in the middle of a genuine renaissance,” said Railbookers Group President and CEO Frank Marini. “Our job is to keep giving travellers more. More destinations, more routes, and more ways to build a holiday around the journey itself. Growing what we offer in Asia is part of that, and there is a great deal more to come.”
Where Singaporeans are going
Europe accounts for the large majority of bookings from this region, with the strongest itineraries running through Switzerland, Italy and the Alps, along with the Berlin to Prague to Vienna to Budapest corridor.
Demand for luxury rail from Asia has grown considerably since the pandemic, driven by the history, glamour, and exclusivity of classic trains. One in four searches from the region is focused on premium and luxury rail. Beyond the once-in-a-lifetime marquee luxury trips, scenic and premium services such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express panoramic trains through the Swiss Alps are among the perennial top sellers.
Bookings from Southeast Asia are led by small parties, typically families of two to four travelling together, alongside a meaningful share of solo travellers. Travellers here book in shorter windows than Western markets, typically three to six months out, making Railbookers’ flexibility and ability to make any travel date work to the travellers’ benefit.
“Europe is where most of this region’s rail bookings go, and that is not changing soon,” said Railbookers Group Vice President for Asia Nick Lim. “However, a European rail holiday could be the big trip of the year, and what we are building within Asia is for the rest of the calendar. Trains are second nature to many of the people here. Less familiar is the train as the holiday itself, with the route, the hotels, and the stops all built around it. Closer to home, over a long weekend or a week, that is a far easier first step to take.”
Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines are currently generating business for the group. North Asia and Greater China are earmarked for development in the first half of 2027.
Railbookers Group operates through its brands, Railbookers and Amtrak Vacations, which work with national rail operators including Deutsche Bahn, Swiss Federal Railways, Trenitalia and Via Rail, as well as leading luxury rail brands.
SINGAPORE, 16 September 2026: Fliggy, a leading online travel platform and wholly owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group, has released its 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Holiday Travel Forecast.
The findings point to strong long-haul demand and growing interest during the combined holiday period, which spans 13 days from 25 September to 7 October and is popularly tagged as Golden Week.
Photo credit: TAT. Golden Week forecast looks positive.
Long-haul travel leads demand
Long-distance domestic destinations lead holiday demand. Chengdu, Urumqi, Kunming and Sanya rank among Fliggy’s most-booked destinations. Xinjiang, Xizang, Qinghai and Northeast China dominate the list of fastest-growing destinations.
Long-haul international destinations including Australia, New Zealand and Italy are proving as popular as established short-haul favourites such as South Korea and Thailand. Slovenia, Romania and Madagascar also stand out as fast-growing emerging destinations.
Experience-led travel gains momentum
Bookings for autumn foliage products in destinations such as Ejina and Yichun have more than doubled year-on-year (YoY), highlighting demand for limited-time natural attractions.
Travellers are also seeking bucket-list experiences. Whale-watching bookings have surged more than 200% YoY, while skydiving bookings are up nearly 80% and glacier-hiking bookings more than 50%.
Wildlife and nature experiences are gaining ground. Bookings for sightseeing flights over Australia’s Heart Reef have more than doubled YoY, while little penguin viewing and koala encounter bookings have risen 160% and 120%, respectively.
Concerts and sporting events also drive holiday travel. During the pre-holiday booking peak, searches for “concert” on Fliggy surged 8.8 times YoY.
Hassle-free options gain popularity
Domestic chauffeured-car bookings have increased by more than 40% YoY as travellers seek flexible itineraries and self-paced holidays.
Cruise bookings have risen nearly 70% YoY, supported by demand for convenient, all-in-one holiday packages.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand forecasts strong tourist arrivals from China during the so-called Golden Week holiday running from 25 September to 7 October.
TAT expects about 250,000 Chinese tourists to visit Thailand during the extended Golden Week travel period, with tourism revenue projected at around THB11.5 billion. The projections represent year-on-year increases of 24% in arrivals and 37% in revenue during the 13 days spanning the Mid-Autumn Festival and China’s National Day holiday.
October bookings to Thailand are up 16%, and flight searches from China are rising 24%. Demand is coming from major cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Chongqing, while direct flights connect Chinese travellers with Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Udon Thani.
The extended holiday is expected to support longer stays, higher spending, and travel to a wider range of Thai destinations. With projected revenue growing faster than arrivals, TAT sees an opportunity to attract higher-value travellers while encouraging visitors to explore beyond established tourism centres.
SINGAPORE, 16 September 2026: Vietjet has expanded its strategic partnerships with Thales and CFM International across maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aircraft component support, digital aviation, artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.
These capabilities will support Vietjet’s expanding fleet and international network, including a new Singapore–Nha Trang route launching this December.
Vietjet and Thales exchange agreements covering MRO and digital aviation in Paris in the presence of Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron. (Photo: Vietnam News Agency).
The agreements were announced in Paris during the official visit by Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam, deepening cooperation between Vietjet and two major international aerospace technology partners while contributing to broader Vietnam–France economic and technology cooperation.
During the Vietnamese delegation’s visit to France on 10 September, Vietjet and Thales signed a key MRO contract. As part of this strategic Repair-By-The-Hour (RBTH) contract, Thales will provide comprehensive component maintenance services for Vietjet’s Airbus fleet, including A320/A321, A321neo/A321XLR, A330 and A330neo aircraft.
The partnership will enhance technical reliability and fleet availability while optimising costs and operational efficiency.
Vietjet and Thales also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on digital aviation, avionics, cybersecurity and AI-enhanced airline operations. The cooperation will explore secure cloud solutions, predictive analytics and decision-support technologies for airline operations.
The agreements mark a new milestone in the Vietjet–Thales partnership and carry practical significance for economic, technology and industrial cooperation between Vietnam and France under the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Vietjet and CFM International have also signed a Letter of Intent to assess the feasibility of Vietjet developing its own solution for LEAP engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Vietnam.
Under the terms of the Letter of Intent, CFM would propose a consulting agreement to provide Vietjet with advisory services to assess engine MRO requirements, capabilities, infrastructure, workforce, and industry considerations for a potential local maintenance solution in Vietnam.
The initiative comes as Vietjet expands its large next-generation fleet. Future LEAP engine MRO capability could support the airline’s long-term operations while helping Vietnam develop high-value aerospace services, train internationally qualified engineers, and strengthen its role in the global aviation supply chain.
Vietjet CEO Nguyen Thanh Son said: “A strong aviation industry needs more than a modern fleet and an extensive network. It needs deep technical expertise and highly skilled people. Our work with CFM is an important part of Vietjet’s ambition to build a more complete aviation ecosystem in Vietnam.”
CFM has powered Vietjet’s growth since the airline took delivery of its first CFM56-powered Airbus A320ceo aircraft in 2014. The airline currently operates 50 CFM56-powered A320ceo and A321ceo aircraft. The relationship is entering a new phase through Vietjet’s recent 200-aircraft Boeing 737-8 order that includes 737-8s and 737-8-200s powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines.
Singapore remains a key part of that growth, with Vietjet’s direct air links to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Phu Quoc, adding four weekly Nha Trang services from 11 December 2026 and launching its first European service this October.
DUBAI, UAE, 16 September 2026: Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, is giving members the chance to earn double Skywards Miles on eligible Emirates and flydubai flights.
Until 30 September 2026, members must register for the offer and book an eligible Emirates or flydubai flight for travel until 30 November 2026 to earn a 100% bonus on Skywards Miles.
Photo credit: Emirates.
The offer spans both airlines’ extensive networks and is available across all eligible cabins, including Emirates’ increasingly popular Premium Economy experience, as well as economy, business and first class. On flydubai, members can earn double Miles when travelling in economy or business class.
To take advantage of the offer, Emirates Skywards members need to register between 15 and 30 September 2026 and book an eligible Emirates or flydubai ticket during the same period. Travel must be completed between 15 September and 30 November 2026.
SINGAPORE, 16 September 2026: Airports Council International (ACI) World, the trade association of the world’s airports, has released a white paper calling for the modernisation of the global airport slot allocation system.
The white paper explains how an outdated regulatory framework, designed more than 50 years ago, is forcing the aviation industry into inefficient compromises and creating barriers to socio-economic competitiveness and connectivity.
It argues that the framework managing slot allocation has not kept pace with aviation’s dynamic growth and transformation. With the number of the world’s most congested, slot-restricted airports surging by over 25% in the last decade alone, and global passenger traffic projected to nearly double by the mid-2040s, the capacity crisis continues to accelerate.
ACI World is calling on regulators to engage with the industry to address the issue and modernise the slot allocation system before the capacity crunch escalates further.
“We are trying to run a 2026 aviation industry on a 1970s operating system,” said ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci. “Airports are doing their best to operate within an outdated regulatory framework, but the reality is that these inflexible rules and practices are preventing the industry from adapting to modern passenger demands, providing competitive fares and building resilient networks. ACI World urges regulators to sit down with the industry and finally deliver the overdue upgrade that our passengers deserve.”
ACI World warns that the challenge is significant.
The white paper Airport Slot Policy – Rethinking Airport Access in a Capacity-constrained World outlines how the current system affects stakeholders across the aviation ecosystem.
Airports are critical infrastructure, built to serve their communities and the travellers. That makes decisions about their limited capacity a matter of public interest, not just an operational detail. A small number of airports carry most of the world’s air traffic.
Fewer than 10% of the world’s airports handle nearly two-thirds of all passengers, and 85.5% of the busiest ones, those serving more than 40 million passengers a year, are already operating at or near full capacity.
The current system makes it difficult for the market to evolve, limiting competition and consumer choice, and ultimately reducing the quality of connectivity. At the 50 most congested airports, the four largest airlines account for 67% of flights. Historic access rights accumulate over time and are rarely released. Existing guidelines heavily prioritise historical allocation patterns and incumbent airlines. This makes it challenging for the system to adapt as passenger demands or economic needs change. A modernised framework would not dismantle stability. It would make the system more adaptable, so that scarce capacity can respond to how aviation and the communities it serves actually develop. ACI World believes that defending a 50-year-old status quo is the real risk to network stability and growth, but the scale of change needed cannot happen in silos.
“Airports are ready to do the work, but we cannot build the future of aviation alone,” added Erbacci. “We strongly urge airline representatives and legacy industry bodies to move past historical resistance and a ‘zero-sum’ mentality and join us in improving the slot allocation system. It is time to design a transparent, future-ready framework that unlocks operational efficiency, fosters healthy competition, and delivers the routes that the 21st-century global economy demands.”
About ACI Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, is a federated organisation comprising ACI World, ACI Africa, ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East, ACI EUROPE, ACI Latin America and the Caribbean and ACI North America.
SHANGHAI, 16 September 2026: China Eastern Airlines recently launched version 2.0 of its international App, now available on the App Store and Google Play, offering global travellers a smoother, more convenient digital travel experience.
Designed around the practical needs of international travellers, the new version incorporates upgrades across key stages of the travel experience, from flight search and booking to seat selection and itinerary management.
Photo credit: China Eastern Airlines.
The flight search and booking process has been streamlined, making it easier for travellers to search, select, and book their flights.
For long-haul international flights, the upgraded seat selection feature provides a clearer view of cabin layouts, seat pitch, and seat availability, helping travellers make more informed choices.
A redesigned Trip Hub automatically consolidates upcoming and past trips, helping passengers track their itineraries more efficiently.
Important flight information, including departure and arrival times, delay notifications, terminals, and boarding gates, is displayed more prominently for quick access.
In a press statement, the airline said it will continue to enhance the user experience across its travel services and introduce more international and locally preferred payment options to further improve digital services for travellers worldwide.
BANGKOK, 16 September 2026: Competition to become Southeast Asia’s preferred tourism and aviation gateway is intensifying, with Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) strengthening partnerships across ASEAN as it seeks to position Kuala Lumpur as a major gateway to Asia and beyond.
MAG, the parent company of Malaysia Airlines and Firefly, has expanded strategic alliances with leading travel industry organisations in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
Increased competition for inter-regional tourism traffic.
The initiative combines airline connectivity with travel-trade distribution, joint marketing, consumer promotions and destination development, giving Malaysia a coordinated platform to attract both visitors and connecting passengers through Kuala Lumpur.
In Malaysia, MAG has renewed its partnership with the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) for another three years, continuing as Official Airline Partner and Premier Sponsor of MATTA Fair.
In Singapore, it has partnered with the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS), while in Indonesia, an agreement with ASTINDO will support airline and destination promotions.
Thailand is also firmly in the strategy. MAG will work with the Thai Travel Agents Association through the Thai International Travel Fair. Meanwhile in the Philippines, its partnership with Travel Innovators will use the Travel Madness Expo to develop leisure, corporate and MICE business.
The timing is significant. Malaysia is currently promoting Visit Malaysia 2026, while Malaysia Airlines continues to strengthen Kuala Lumpur’s regional and international connectivity.
The airline will resume Kuala Lumpur–Busan services in December and increase frequencies to Brisbane, Surabaya, and Fukuoka.
For Thailand, this deserves attention.
Bangkok has long enjoyed one of Southeast Asia’s strongest natural advantages as an aviation and tourism hub. Its geographical position, enormous hotel inventory, extensive airline network and popularity as a destination in its own right make it an obvious gateway for travellers exploring the region.
But neighbouring countries increasingly recognise that aviation connectivity cannot be considered separately from tourism strategy.
Kuala Lumpur is combining airlines, travel agents, destination marketing and government tourism ambitions. Singapore, meanwhile, remains one of Asia’s most efficient aviation hubs and continues to invest heavily in the passenger experience.
The question, therefore, is not simply which airport handles the most passengers. It is which destination can persuade travellers to arrive, connect, stop over, stay longer and spend more.
For Thailand, maintaining Bangkok’s gateway position will require more than additional airline seats. Airport efficiency, immigration, transit convenience, regional connectivity, visa-free entry, destination marketing and the quality of the visitor experience all form part of the equation.
Southeast Asia’s tourism gateway battle is becoming increasingly competitive. Bangkok possesses formidable advantages, but Kuala Lumpur is making it clear that it wants a much larger share of the traffic.
About the Author Andrew J Wood is a British-born travel writer and former hotelier who has lived in Thailand since 1991. A graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh, he has more than four decades of experience in international hospitality and tourism. He chairs the JFCCT Tourism Committee for 2026–2028 and has held senior leadership roles with Skål International in Thailand and Asia.
PATTAYA, Thailand, 15 September 2026: The 7th Fitz Club Squash Tournament came to a thrilling conclusion following three action-packed days of intense competition, outstanding sportsmanship and memorable moments on court.
Bringing together passionate squash players and spectators, the tournament delivered a fun-filled weekend that celebrated not only the competitive spirit but also the friendships and camaraderie that continue to strengthen Pattaya’s growing squash community, making it more than just a sporting competition.
Vitanart Vathanakul delivered a spirited and determined performance, battling his way to the semi-finals in impressive style. Balancing his role as both a competitor and tournament organiser, he gave his all on court while also working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the event’s success.
The tournament drew an impressive international field, welcoming players from France, Australia, Hong Kong, Korea, and more.
Congratulations to Kim Jin Oh of Korea on his outstanding performance and well-deserved victory, with Sathid Sujittapiban of Thailand finishing as runner-up.
The highly anticipated final kept spectators on the edge of their seats, with both players demonstrating exceptional finesse, determination and fighting spirit right through to the final point. Their closely contested rallies and relentless efforts to keep every ball in play created an exciting atmosphere on court, with enthusiastic cheers from spectators adding to the match’s intensity. Their journey to the final was equally impressive, as both players battled through the tournament from the opening day, producing consistently competitive matches and proving their determination to reach the top.
The tournament would not have been possible without the generous support of our valued sponsors, Starmakes, Wine Dee Dee Co., Ltd., Kasch, Ouayporn Panit and Blue Ocean Inter Group. Their kind support and contribution helped make this year’s tournament a success, and we sincerely thank them for being part of this exciting sporting event.
Kim Jin Oh and Sathid Sujittapiban demonstrated exceptional skill, determination and fighting spirit as they battled fiercely until the final point, with Kim ultimately claiming victory.
Fitz Club looks forward to welcoming players, supporters and squash enthusiasts from around the world back for more thrilling tournaments and exceptional sporting experiences in the future. With its professional facilities, experienced team and proven track record in hosting international sporting events, Fitz Club continues to position itself as a premier destination for competitive sport in Pattaya.
Clubs, associations, companies and event organisers interested in hosting squash tournaments or other sporting competitions are warmly invited to contact the Fitz Club team to explore tailored event solutions and create a memorable tournament experience for participants and spectators alike.
Fitz Club – Racquets, Health & Fitness, the elite sports centre under the Royal Cliff banner, continues to reinforce its status as a premier sports & wellness destination for professional and recreational athletes. The centre has welcomed world-class talent over the years, including former ATP stars such as Nikolay Davydenko, Mikhail Youzhny, Dmitry Tursunov, Paradorn Srichaphan, Danai Udomchoke, and Denis Istomin, all of whom have trained on Fitz Club’s courts engineered to mirror Grand Slam playing conditions. With a long-standing legacy in competitive sports, Fitz Club has proudly hosted numerous high-profile events, ranging from prestigious Junior and Senior Tennis tournaments to Squash and Table Tennis competitions. This rich history underscores its reputation as one of Thailand’s most established sporting venues. Continuing its commitment to excellence, Fitz Club has further expanded its offerings with upgraded facilities for pickleball, futsal and basketball, making it a comprehensive hub for multi-sport athletes and families alike. Ultimately, Fitz Club is helping uplift Pattaya’s image as a leading hub for sports, families, and wellness.
Starmakes Starmakes Company is a Finnish technology company based in Helsinki, specialising in designing, manufacturing, and supplying TFT, OLED, and EL displays. The company provides both standard and customised display solutions tailored to customers’ technical requirements and applications. Starmakes also manages shipments for European customers directly from its Helsinki warehouse.
Wine Dee Dee C Ltd Wine Dee Dee Co., Ltd. was established in 1999 in Bangkok, Thailand, with a vision to import quality and value wines from around the world and distribute them in Thailand. With market success, Wine Dee Dee Co., Ltd. has expanded to four major tourist cities: Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, and Hua-Hin.
Kasch A multi-award-winning company that defines what it means to specialise in luxurious sanitary ware. We go beyond our German origins and assert ourselves as a true global manufacturer by creating our own products and selecting only the best suppliers for natural stone composites.
