Tourism Trade & Connectivity: The Philippines’ DOT-Soccsksargen will host the 4th Mindanao Tourism Expo (MTEX) in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, Oct. 2–5, aiming to link Mindanao’s six regions with airlines, LGUs and MSMEs and attract buyers from Luzon and the Visayas. Air & Infrastructure Upgrades: Maldives’ Maldivian opened a modernised seaplane terminal at Velana, adding lounges, a children’s area and a viewing deck, as officials say the airline is back on track after years of debt. Safety First for Activity Tourism: Indonesia’s tourism ministry urged risk management for volcano tourism, calling for licensed guides, updated activity status and operator safety SOPs. Destination Recovery: Kauai’s North Shore luxury hotel 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay reopened after Hurricane Lowell power outages, as leaders push to keep visitors coming respectfully. Policy & Short-Term Rentals: Airbnb urged Malaysia to set clear national short-term rental guidelines ahead of Budget 2027, alongside support for digital literacy and compliance. Cruise Growth: Liberia welcomed its third 2026 international cruise call, with SH Diana bringing 141 passengers for heritage-focused tours in Monrovia. Market Signals: Brand USA highlighted record per-visitor spend in the US, even as UK and several European markets fell year-on-year.