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MT700 ITF Fitz Club Masters Championship returns

PATTAYA, 30 October 2025: The excitement is back for the 8th consecutive year as Fitz Club – Racquets, Health and Fitness proudly hosts the MT700 ITF Masters Championship from 15 to 21 November 2025. 

This prestigious event invites passionate tennis players aged 35 and above — from rising talents to seasoned professionals — to showcase their skills, compete for ITF world ranking points, and connect with the international tennis community in a vibrant, friendly atmosphere.

Sponsored by Supersports, K-Swiss, Carabao, and Vitala, this seven-day tournament offers a remarkable combination of competitive tennis, camaraderie, and relaxation. Both participants and spectators can look forward to first-class facilities, exquisite cuisine prepared by award-winning chefs, happy hour drink promotions, and a soothing post-match experience featuring rejuvenating massages by professional physiotherapists. Off the court, players and their families can enjoy a variety of social gatherings, including a Welcome Pool Party with live music, lucky draws, and an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow tennis enthusiasts and celebrate the true spirit of the sport in style.

Spectators are also encouraged to join and witness thrilling matches featuring top-tier players from around the world, set against the stunning backdrop of Pattaya’s leading luxury resort. It’s a week of excitement, energy, and elegance not to be missed.

Registration is now open until 5 November 2025. To secure a place, check the details on  www.royalcliff.com/itf2025 . Special room rates are available for all participants, families, and friends. 

For accommodation or inquiries, contact 038 250 421 ext. 2820–24, email [email protected], or reach us via LINE ID: @Royalcliff.

Fitz Club, the elite sports centre under the Royal Cliff banner, continues to cement its reputation as a premier destination for professional and recreational athletes. Renowned past ATP players such as Nikolay Davydenko, 

Mikhail Youzhny, Dmitry Tursunov, Paradorn Srichaphan, Danai Udomchoke and Denis Istomin have trained at this facility, using its courts designed to mirror the conditions of the Australian Open. Fitz Club’s rich history includes hosting a variety of sporting events, from Junior and Senior Tennis tournaments to Squash championships and Table Tennis competitions, further establishing its legacy in the world of sports. Fitz Club is excited to present new sports facilities, including pickleball, futsal, basketball and badminton.

For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Fitz Club, visit www.royalcliff.com and www.facebook.com/fitzclub

(Source: Your Stories — Royal Cliff Hotel Group).

Hotel bookings soar for Oasis concerts

SINGAPORE, 30 October 2025: Upcoming dates of the Oasis Live ’25 tour are driving booking hotel levels across host markets in Australia and South America, according to Forward STAR data from CoStar, a global provider of analytics in property markets.

Between 31 October and 8 November, Oasis is set to perform three nights in Melbourne and two in Sydney. As of 20 October, Sydney reported the highest occupancy on the books for those shows, reaching 75.1% for Friday, 7 November. 

Last year, the market was at 65.4% for the comparable night. Melbourne’s highest occupancy on the books (74.0%) is on the night of the second concert–Saturday, 1 November.

Starting 15 November, the band will move to South America for the final leg of its tour, and the highest forward booking levels are in Buenos Aires at 74.3% (Saturday, 15 November). The final two performances will take place in São Paulo, where booking levels are peaking at 52.0% (Saturday, 22 November) — a +32.7% increase from the comparable night last year.

 For more information, visit CoStarGroup.com.

(Source: CoStar)

Marriott’s Luxury Collection checks in at Bugis

SINGAPORE, 30 October 2025: Marriott International announced on Wednesday the signing of an agreement with Frasers Hospitality to bring The Luxury Collection to Singapore’s city centre. 

The property, currently operating as InterContinental Singapore, will undergo a conversion and is expected to join The Luxury Collection portfolio in January 2026. 

Frasers Hospitality’s InterContinental Singapore switches badges to The Luxury Collection.

Poised to become the second Luxury Collection property in Singapore, and the first in the city centre, the hotel is set to invite guests to discover a uniquely local expression of luxury steeped in the city’s storied heritage and modern vibrancy.

Located in Singapore’s vibrant Bras Basah–Bugis arts and cultural district, the hotel is situated in the landmark Bugis Junction mixed-use development. Surrounded by a rich tapestry of heritage enclaves such as Kampong Glam and Arab Street, and connected directly to Bugis MRT Station, it offers guests seamless access to Singapore’s historic charm and modern energy.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Frasers Hospitality to bring The Luxury Collection to the heart of Singapore, a gateway city that continues to inspire global travellers with its blend of tradition and modernity,” said Marriott International Regional Vice President, Luxury, Asia Pacific excluding China, Oriol Montal.  “This signing underscores our confidence in Singapore and our commitment to growing our luxury footprint in this world-class city.”

Expected to open as The Luxury Collection in January 2026, the hotel will feature 406 guestrooms and suites, starting from 38 sqm. Planned facilities include a fitness centre, an outdoor swimming pool, and six dining and social venues, including an all-day dining restaurant, lobby lounge, and a pool bar. The property is also slated to offer approximately 1,000 sqm of flexible event space, including a 540-sqm ballroom.

The signing underscores Marriott’s strategic expansion in Singapore, complementing its portfolio of celebrated luxury brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, St Regis Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott, W Hotels, and the Edition.

(Source: Marriott International).

Top honeymoon destinations for Indian travellers

SINGAPORE, 30 October 2025: Digital travel platform Agoda’s latest data on the most-searched honeymoon destinations reveals that Indian newlyweds are chasing sunsets, islands, and immersive experiences. 

Goa continues to reign as the top domestic choice, while Dubai leads internationally. The surprise of the year: Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island has seen an eightfold increase in popularity, entering the top ten rank for the first time.

India’s wedding season is just around the corner, as the monsoon season draws to a close and the cooler, more pleasant weather of winter approaches from November to January. 

In the coming months, wedding-related travel is set to rise, with couples, families, and guests preparing to celebrate together in destinations near and far. Honeymoons, in particular, can be a significant demand driver as couples book their first trip together, and this year’s trends highlight both enduring favourites and discoveries.

Domestically, Goa has held strong as India’s most-loved honeymoon spot for the second year running, thanks to its sun-soaked beaches, boutique resorts, and vibrant culinary scene. 

Meanwhile, Udaipur, the “City of Lakes,” climbed to second place in 2025, appealing to couples with its royal charm and serene lakeside views. Mumbai ranks third, while Jaipur and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands complete the top five. The Andamans are emerging as an increasingly sought-after island escape closer to home, making its debut in the top five ranks for honeymooners this year.

Internationally, Dubai remains the top choice, drawing couples with its luxury, desert adventures, and glamorous cityscape. 

Phuket and Bangkok follow close behind, while Bali and Pattaya continue their tropical pull. But it’s Phu Quoc Island that’s stealing the spotlight this year, climbing from outside the top 10 in 2024 to sixth place in 2025, with nearly 700% growth in search interest, highlighting Indian travellers’ appetite for fresh and affordable Southeast Asian escapes.

Commenting on the data, Agoda Country Director Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, Gaurav Malik said: “Honeymoons are among the most meaningful trips couples take, and Indian travellers are showing a growing preference for destinations that offer both romance and discovery.

“From classic getaway destinations like Goa and Bali to rising stars like Phu Quoc, beach and island getaways are winning hearts and setting the stage for a lifetime of happiness for newlyweds. Agoda’s wide range of stays and activities helps couples create trips as unique as their journey together.”

Find the best deals on Agoda’s mobile app or visit Agoda.com.

(Source: Agoda)

Tourism Malaysia welcomes Quanzhou air link

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 October 2025: Tourism Malaysia welcomed Xiamen Airlines on the successful launch of its inaugural direct flight connecting Quanzhou and Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

Flight MF8661 landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 at approximately 1445 (local time), marking the launch of direct air services from Quanzhou, a city renowned as the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. 

Photo credit: Tourism Malaysia. Xiamen Airlines’ inaugural flight arrives at KLIA.

Operating four times a week with a Boeing 738 aircraft, the route connects Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport (JJN) to KLIA (KUL) Terminal 1. The aircraft has a seating capacity for 169 passengers — eight in business class and 161 in economy class. 

The new route reflects a significant step forward in enhancing air connectivity between Malaysia and southern China, fostering deeper bilateral cooperation and driving growth in tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.

Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director General (Promotion II) Samuel Lee emphasised: “This launch is prominent in enhancing the growing tourism relations between Malaysia and China. Beyond improving travel accessibility for visitors from Quanzhou and the surrounding regions, it underscores our commitment to promoting Malaysia as a premier travel destination in Southeast Asia. We look forward to welcoming more travellers from Quanzhou to explore Malaysia’s vibrant cultural heritage, stunning natural attractions, and diverse tourism offerings that make our nation truly exceptional.”

From January to August 2025, Malaysia recorded 3.3 million visitor arrivals from China, a 27.5% increase over the same period in 2024. Such growth highlights Malaysia’s growing appeal to Chinese travellers, especially its vibrant urban destinations, diverse culinary offerings, tranquil islands, and culturally rich heritage towns. With the new direct flight by Xiamen Airlines, Malaysia will continue to deliver a seamless and convenient travel experience for visitors from China.

Tourism Malaysia remains committed to strengthening collaboration with international airlines, airport authorities, and industry partners to enhance the nation’s global air connectivity and expand its tourism footprint. 

(Source: Tourism Malaysia)

TransNusa boosts Bali-Perth flights

JAKARTA, 30 October 2025: TransNusa closes the third quarter of this year by achieving a historic milestone by growing its Perth-Bali route to 17 weekly flights. 

Less than eight months after its inaugural flight, TransNusa has increased its weekly schedule to 17 flights on the route between Bali and Perth, Australia.

TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Bernard Francis.

The airline started operating scheduled flights between Perth and Bali on 20 March this year, with just three scheduled weekly flights. 

TransNusa has gradually increased its flights from April through July. By the end of July this year, TransNusa was already operating 14 scheduled flights weekly. With the latest expansion, the airline will now offer 17 scheduled flights weekly, setting a new growth benchmark on this popular route.

TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Bernard Francis, commented: “We have grown the Perth-Bali route to operate 17 scheduled flights weekly in less than eight months of operating the route, showcasing our strength, confidence and knowledge.”

The aviation veteran explained that the “momentous achievement” was in line with TransNusa’s international growth strategy and aspirations over the last three years, since it took to the skies to offer domestic services.

“By increasing the scheduled flights on the Perth-Bali route, TransNusa now offers passengers the most connectivity options between Western Australia and Indonesia, China, as well as Singapore,” said Datuk Bernard, adding that the ticket sales for the new scheduled flights started on 23 October.

“In addition to providing passengers with various connectivity options between Perth and Bali, TransNusa’s passengers from Perth can also enjoy the shortest transit duration, of under two hours, to Guangzhou, China via Bali,” Datuk Bernard said, adding that passengers can also fly to Changi, Singapore, via Bali.

Flight schedules

TransNusa’s additional three flights are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, starting 3 December 2025.

DPS-PER
8B 084  will depart at 0020 from the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and arrive at Perth Airport at 0405am 

PER-DPS
8B 085 will depart Perth Airport at 0455 and arrive at the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport at 0845.

TransNusa will continue to operate its current schedule for the remaining 14 flights weekly. 

DPS-PER
8B 080 and 8B 082 depart Bali at 0910 and 1255 from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and arrive at Perth Airport at 1250 and 1655.

PER-DPS
8B 081 and 8B 083 will depart Perth Airport at 1335 and 1805, respectively, and arrive at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali at 1720 and 2150.

Tickets for the scheduled flights from Perth to Bali are priced from AUD149, IDR1.599.000, CNY565, and USD84.

(Source: TransNusa)

Ethiopian and Etihad link loyalty programmes

SINGAPORE, 30 October 2025: Ethiopian Airlines has signed a partnership with Etihad that links loyalty programmes, ShebaMiles, and Etihad Guest.

Ethiopian’s ShebaMiles programme has been operating for more than 26 years and has a membership base of over 5.38 million and offers four tier levels — Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Photo credit: Ethiopian.

The Etihad Guest loyalty programme has been operating for over 19 years and serves a membership base of more than 12 million. Etihad Guest has five tier levels — Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and the exclusive Emerald.

Both loyalty programmes provide opportunities to earn and redeem miles through flights and through diverse non-airline partnerships, including financial institutions, hotels, car rental companies, shopping centres, co-branded cards, points exchanges, and more.

(Source: Ethiopian)

UA is back flying to Bangkok

BANGKOK, 29 October 2025: United Airlines makes a comeback on the Pacific long-haul route flying Los Angeles to Bangkok, Thailand, after a gap of 11 years.

The daily service using 787-9 aircraft touches down in Hong Kong for a two-hour transit stop before flying on to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

TAT’s Governor welcomes United Airlines’ return to the Los Angeles-Bangkok route.

The stop in Hong Kong also allows passengers on United’s San Francisco-Hong Kong flights to transfer to the onward UA820 flight to Bangkok. United’s Los Angeles and San Francisco hubs offer connections to more than 75 destinations throughout the Americas.

Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool welcomed the inaugural flight on 26 October. She commented: “The return of United Airlines marks a significant milestone in the long-standing friendship between Thailand and the United States. This new service not only strengthens bilateral tourism and economic ties but also responds to the growing interest among American travellers seeking meaningful experiences in Thailand.”

United Airlines’ daily service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Bangkok (BKK) operates with a Boeing 787–9 Dreamliner configured with 257 seats — business class, premium plus, and economy cabins. 

Flight schedule: LAX-HKG-BKK

UA820 departs Los Angeles (LAX) at 2355 and arrives in Hong Kong (HKG) at 0700.
UA820 departs Hong Kong (HKG) at 0920 and arrives in Bangkok (BKK) at 1125.

BKK-HKG-LAX

UA821 departs Bangkok (BKK) at 1644 and arrives in Hong Kong (HKG) at 2045.]
UA821 departs Hong Kong (HKG) at 2245 and arrives in Los Angeles (LAX) at 2025.

United Airlines is the first carrier to resume services to Bangkok since 2014, when it flew the route with a stop in Narita, Tokyo, Japan.

Between 1 January and 24 October 2025, Thailand welcomed 808,288 US visitors, representing a 5% increase compared with the same period last year. This places the US among the top 10 source markets for Thailand. 

(Source: TAT and United Airlines)

Radisson breaks records in 2025

BRUSSELS, 29 October 2025: With more than 210 signings and openings already secured this year, the Radisson Hotel Group sets its sights on becoming one of the world’s most prominent hotel companies.    

In EMEA, Radisson Blu is cementing its position as Europe’s leading upper-upscale brand, with landmark signings and openings in France, Germany, Türkiye, and Montenegro. Among the highlights is The Medlock at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, an innovative partnership that redefines what a stadium hotel can be. Later this year, Radisson Blu CDG Airport Terminal Hotel, Paris, will welcome travellers at one of Europe’s busiest gateways.

Atiara Ubud Bali, A Radisson Collection Resort.

France has proven to be a key growth market across the group’s portfolio, with luxury lifestyle brand Radisson Collection leading the charge. This year saw the long-awaited opening of Cour des Loges Lyon, a Radisson Collection Hotel, and the signing of the historic Banke Opera Paris, a Radisson Collection Hotel, which will debut in 2026. 

The brand furthermore marked its arrival in Hungary with Radisson Collection Hotel, Basilica Budapest, a property that perfectly synthesises historic grandeur with contemporary luxury, and reopened the Radisson Collection Hotel, Berlin, in spectacular style. These milestones reinforce Radisson Collection’s role as the group’s showcase for design, heritage, and modern hospitality.

Radisson RED’s bold personality is gaining global momentum, with new hotels signed and opened across the UK, Romania, India, the UAE, and Thailand. In London, a partnership with PPHE Hotel Group will see the brand’s debut in the heart of the city, minutes from Liverpool Street Station. The partnership also introduced a striking design-led landmark in Rome, the art’otel Rome Piazza Sallustio.

Radisson Individuals has gone from strength to strength, offering crucial flexibility to group stakeholders and growing to over 100 hotels in operation and under development since its launch in 2020. This year alone, the brand expanded its footprint across France, Portugal, Germany, Malta, and Kazakhstan, with new signings secured in the UK, Poland, Spain, Greece, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, India, and the Philippines. Recently, the brand’s emphasis on empowering owners and broadening guest choice has been cemented with the introduction of three exciting brand segments: Premier, Boutique, and Retreats.

The Radisson brand, too, continues to evolve with a mix of sustainability milestones and market firsts. Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre, the group’s first verified net-zero hotel, opened. At the same time, the brand entered new markets such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Armenia, and Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Growth across APAC has been equally dynamic, with 13 new Radisson properties opening in India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

With the demand for leisure travel rising, Radisson Hotel Group continues to expand its resort portfolio, now comprising more than 160 properties. 

New openings and signings span Asia to Europe, including destinations as diverse as Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Egypt, and Armenia. 

Highlights include Radisson Hotel Cannes on the French Riviera, Radisson Collection The National Hotel, Brussels — a landmark golf-side retreat — and the debut of Radisson Collection Resort, Galle in Sri Lanka, and Radisson Collection Resort & Spa, Jaipur in India. Together, these properties underscore the brand’s commitment to creating standout resort destinations in diverse and inspiring locations.

APAC continues to propel growth for the Radisson Hotel Group. In China, 130 hotels have been signed and opened in 2025, bringing the pipeline close to 300. Expansion is strongest in the mid- to upper mid-scale categories, led by Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, now the fastest-growing brand in China with a portfolio of 375 hotels. Major cities such as Wuhan, Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu, Tianjin, and Shanghai remain central to the group’s growth plan and expansion strategy, supporting both scale and depth across the market.

India has emerged as one of Radisson Hotel Group’s most dynamic markets, with the company surpassing a historic milestone of 200 hotels. Today, more than 130 properties are in operation and over 70 are under development, reinforcing the group’s position as the leading organically growing international operator in the country. Fuelled by 59 new signings in just 18 months and expansion into 47 new cities, Radisson Hotel Group is well-positioned to deepen its presence and extend hospitality access with up to 500 hotels in the region by 2030.

(Source: Radisson Hotel Group)

Hungary’s gateway airport sees traffic rise

SINGAPORE, 29 October 2025: Budapest Airport, part of the VINCI Airports network, is heading for a record winter season with substantial increases in seat capacities, new destinations, and connectivity through Hungary’s airport gateway.

This winter, Budapest will offer an impressive 8.9 million seats, a 12.5% increase over the winter season 2024. The route network will expand to 182 routes, up by 26, further increasing inbound passenger volume in the winter period, which has already recorded an increase of over one million additional foreign air passengers, year-to-date, in August.

EasyJet adds routes to Budapest from Bordeaux and Nantes during the winter timetable.

Seven new destinations and routes are being introduced in W25, including two easyJet flights to France: one to Nantes Airport, also part of the VINCI Airports network, and a new route to Bordeaux, bringing the airline’s total to seven destinations operated through the Budapest airport. 

Jet2.com will add Newcastle and East Midlands, Ryanair will open Marrakech, while Wizz Air will commence Turin and Tallinn. In addition, SAS, which began operations in Copenhagen in April 2025 with four weekly flights, will ramp up services in W25, operating daily in November, December, and March, and at least five weekly flights for the remainder of the season.

Recent market analysis highlights substantial indirect traffic on long-haul routes not yet served directly from Budapest. Demand continues to rise significantly for destinations in the last 12 months to June, such as New York (124,000 passengers, +17% YoY), Toronto (40,000 passengers, +7% YoY), Hanoi (40,000 passengers, +24% YoY), Bangkok (40,000 passengers, +33% YoY), and Seoul (37,000 passengers, +37%YoY).

Based on recent figures, further growth is anticipated across these markets in W25 due to strong demand by Hungarian travellers and the attractiveness of the Christmas Markets in Budapest for long-haul markets.

These figures reflect Budapest’s growing role as a key Central European gateway — and its readiness to absorb more nonstop long-haul services.

Sneak peek for summer 2026

Looking ahead to Summer 2026, Budapest’s connectivity will take another leap forward with American Airlines returning after six years with nonstop service to Philadelphia, while Air Canada will resume its popular direct flight to Toronto. 

Condor will enter the market as a new carrier, enhance links to Frankfurt with three daily flights, and benefit from a new Hungary–China bilateral air service agreement, enabling further expansion of weekly frequencies between the two countries.

“Budapest Airport is entering a bold new chapter of diversified growth by utilising off-peak capacity and welcoming new airlines and destinations. With a record-setting winter season ahead, fuelled by both inbound and outbound tourism demand, and a major long-haul transatlantic development on the horizon, we are more committed than ever to keep Budapest Airport’s position as the No. 1 airport in the Central and Eastern European region,” said Budapest Airport CCO Markus Klaushofer.

Asian airlines serving Budapest

Air China, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Korean Air and Shanghai. There are seven direct routes from Budapest to cities in China: Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Xian. 
The airport’s two longest routes are Budapest (BUD) to Guangzhou (CAN), which takes around 11 hours and 10 minutes, and Budapest (BUD) to Shanghai (PVG) with a flight time of 11 hours and 5 minutes.

(Source: Vinci Airports)