Philippines Retreat Boom: The Philippines is No. 1 for “retreat” travel on BookRetreats, with interest up 323% year-on-year, driven by island-focused getaways and a surge in yoga retreat demand. Bangladesh Overseas Jobs: Bangladesh plans new overseas employment programmes and a phased “Probashi Card” from FY27 to speed remittances and link workers to welfare, insurance and emergency support. China–Japan Tourism Hit: Mainland Chinese arrivals to Japan fell 56.1% in July for an eighth straight month as group tours slump and visa costs rise amid worsening ties. Sri Lanka Tourism Push: Sri Lanka launches a six-country winter campaign aiming for $4.2b revenue and nearly doubling arrivals, targeting Australia, China, Germany, the UK, Russia and India. Kashmir Travel Row: Pakistan summoned the US charge d’affaires over Sergio Gor’s “important part of India” remarks on Jammu and Kashmir, while he signalled Washington may review its travel advisory. Air Connectivity: Cathay Pacific will start direct Hong Kong–Almaty flights in January, cutting travel time to about 6–7 hours. Cultural Sensitivity: A dispute erupted in Seoul over Chinese influencers wearing hanfu at Gyeongbokgung, raising concerns tourists may confuse it with hanbok. Safety & Disruption: A Kolkata hotel fire killed nine (including Bangladeshis), and authorities say the death toll could rise.