Outbound Travel Buzz: Macau has again topped mainland China’s outbound “Top Ten Destinations for Tourist Satisfaction” list for a second straight year, with strong scores for leisure/entertainment and attraction accommodation. Tourism Policy: The Philippines Supreme Court upheld VAT refunds for non-resident foreign tourists, saying the incentive is a rational way to boost tourism competitiveness. Travel Safety & Disruption: Typhoon Maysak has battered southern China, breaking dam walls in Guangxi, killing at least two, and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate; flights and ferries were suspended around landfall areas. Regional Tensions: Japan says it expelled two Chinese coast guard ships near the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands after they approached a Japanese fishing vessel, escalating a long-running maritime dispute. Tourist Behavior Online: A viral clip from Malaysia shows a Chinese traveler berating hotel staff over the absence of a China flag, sparking debate about entitlement and how visitors are perceived abroad. Travel Infrastructure: Cambodia’s upgraded National Road No. 7 (Skun–Kampong Cham), largely financed via a concessional China loan, is expected to cut travel time and boost Kampong Cham tourism. Work & Travel Economy: China’s gig economy continues to expand as weak job markets push millions into flexible work, reshaping how people plan spending and mobility.