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World's best airport for 2025 revealed

World's best airport for 2025 revealed

News.com.au10-05-2025
It may come as no surprise that Singapore's Changi Airport has taken out the world's best airport title for 2025.
The South-East Asian airport is renowned for its unrivalled passenger experiences boasting a waterfall, canopy park, rock climbing and butterfly garden.
Its innovative amenities, extensive dining range and unique hotel offerings all form part of what makes this airport a standout.
And it's no wonder why it has won the prestigious Skytrax Award 13 times, having reclaimed the top spot from Doha's Hamad International Airport (2024), which moves down to second.
'Changi Airport is honoured to be named by Skytrax as the World's Best Airport for the 13th time,' Yam Kum Weng, CEO of Changi Airport Group said.
'It is indeed gratifying to receive this recognition, and this certainly encourages us to continue to strive to provide the best travel experience. We thank all our passengers for their vote of confidence.
Changi Airport has been voted the best airport in the world – ad it's easy to see why.
It has the world's largest indoor waterfall, canopy park, rock climbing, butterfly garden, theatre and arcade. Picture: TikTok
'And we're especially grateful to the Changi Airport community, whose unwavering commitment to service excellence has made this award possible.
'As air travel continues to grow, we look forward to welcoming passengers to experience the magic at Changi Airport.'
It also has a trampoline park. Picture: TikTok/countingcountries
Rounding out the top 10 is Tokyo Haneda in third place, followed by Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong, Paris CDG, Rome Fiumicino, Munich and Zurich.
Dubai, often praised for its airport, just missed out – coming it at 11th.
The World Airport Awards began in 1999, when Skytrax launched its first global, Airport customer satisfaction survey.
'They are regarded as a quality benchmark for the world airport industry, assessing customer service and facilities across over 500 airports,' it states on the Skytrax site.
'There is no entry fee or any type of payment by an airport (or other third party) to be included in the survey or awards, with the survey and awards process fully funded by Skytrax.'
It also won the best airport bathrooms award. Picture: Instagram/changiairport
They're all very lush. Picture: Instagram/changiairport
Singapore Changi Airport received other major awards including World's Best Airport Dining and the World's Best Airport Washrooms (bathrooms).
When it came to Australian airports, Melbourne missed out of the top 10, coming in at 16, followed by Brisbane in 35th and Sydney half way down the list at 54th.
Perth and Adelaide ranked 63rd and 68th, respectively, while the Gold Coast sat towards the bottom at 74th.
For the Best Regional Airports in Australia/Pacific 2025, Adelaide took the top gong, followed by the Gold Coast, Christchurch, Cairns and Darwin.
Meanwhile, Tokyo Haneda came first for having the world's cleanest airport, followed by Singapore Changi, Doha Hamad, Seoul Incheon and Hong Kong.
When it comes to world's best shopping, Doha Hamad took out the top spot with Singapore Changi closely behind. London Heathrow came third.
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From tatami rooms to TikTok – what the global matcha shortage really means
From tatami rooms to TikTok – what the global matcha shortage really means

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  • SBS Australia

From tatami rooms to TikTok – what the global matcha shortage really means

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Aussies venture beyond the hotspots in 2025 to ‘hidden gems' in China and Japan
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Aussies venture beyond the hotspots in 2025 to ‘hidden gems' in China and Japan

Aussie travellers are becoming fed-up with crowds at some of their favourite hotspots and have instead shifted their attention to a few surprise locations. New research from Australian-based travel company, Wendy Wu Tours, has revealed how overtourism is fuelling Aussies' growing desire to explore lesser-known destinations. While places like Bali, Tokyo and various hotspots in Europe such as Paris, Spain and Italy will always be high on Aussies' travel lists, new search data shows there's been a 40 per cent spike in interest in lesser-known destinations. As such Aussies have shifted their attention to certain parts of Asia such as Zhangjiajie (China) – inspiring the film Avatar, Yangshuo (China), Kanazawa (Japan's samurai district), Takayama (Japan) and Nagano (Japan) as travel habits continue to evolve. 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'But what draws people now isn't just the visual splendour – it's the sense of stepping into a living landscape that feels almost untouched,' he told 'Waking up to mist curling around those spires offers a very different experience than battling through crowds at a major monument. Yangshuo is another example – its karst peaks rise from green rice paddies, and you can cycle between villages, stopping for tea in a farmer's courtyard. @ Visited Zhangjiajie six times, and this is the most fun route I've summarized. #chinatravel #vacation #traveltiktok #tourchina #travel #chinatrip #zhangjiajie #hunan #nature ♬ original sound - @cyncynti I've been there twice in two different years and this is what I learned: 🗓️The best time to visit is during early June, late September 🚊 Train Shanghai - Yangzhou 扬州 121-135rmb 2.5-3hrs 🚕 Taxi Yangzhou downtown to 📍 Luyanghu Wetland 1hr 🇨🇳 Name in local language: 📍渌洋湖湿地公园 💰 Entrance fee is 10rmb and 50rmb for the boat for 2 people for 40min Do you still have questions? Feel free to ask 🥰 . . #chinatravel #yangzhou #traveltips #travelguide #placestogo #travelblogger #uniqueplaces #chinadestinations #greenlake #china ♬ Space - French Fuse 'That kind of intimacy with a place is hard to find in the well-trodden tourist hotspots.' Tourism to China has surged thanks in part to a 30-day, visa-free policy introduced mid last year. Mr Bell said some Aussies are under the impression China is just big cities and concrete jungles, adding this couldn't be further from the truth. 'Yes, China's cities are impressive and while cities like Beijing and Shanghai are world-renowned, China is home to incredible natural wonders and lush green spaces, quaint rural villages, and national parks that rival anything seen elsewhere in the world,' he said. He explained when travellers venture off the main tourist trail, their spending supports small businesses, local producers, and family-run accommodation. 'These are often the people who miss out when tourism concentrates in a few overexposed spots,' he said. 'It also helps to distribute visitor numbers more evenly, which can ease pressure on fragile heritage sites, infrastructure, and the environment.' It's something that's currently happening in Indonesia with authorities encouraging Aussies to visit areas outside the usual suspects of Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud. 'While Bali remains an incredibly popular destination for Australians, there's a wealth of cultural, natural and historical treasures across Indonesia that deserve more attention. These lesser-known regions offer travellers a richer and often more relaxed experience,' Mr Bell said. Aussies, who make up the bulk of their foreign visitors, have been asked to visit areas such as Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara. @ Kanazawa was so so underrated #japan #traveljapan #cherryblossom #visitjapan #kanazawa #japanesefood #japantiktok #fypシ゚viral ♬ original sound - Alexis While grateful for tourism in the hotspots, the country is trying to spread economic benefits and combat overtourism. 'Overtourism is certainly influencing how travellers are thinking about their next trip,' Mr Bell said. 'Rising crowds, visa fees and changes in the traditional Bali experience are prompting many Aussies to look further afield. It's not about abandoning Bali altogether, but expanding horizons to explore beyond the well-worn paths.' Mr Bell said, as for Japan, while demand is still strong, they're noticing Aussies wanting to go beyond Tokyo and Kyoto to places like Kanazawa, where centuries-old samurai and geisha districts remain beautifully preserved – and less crowded. 'In Takayama, there's a rhythm to daily life that travellers are drawn to – morning markets by the river, wooden merchant houses that still feel lived in,' he said. 'In Nagano, people aren't just coming for the snow. They're walking through cedar forests to ancient temples, soaking in hot springs, and experiencing the slower traditions of the Japanese Alps.' Like Indonesia, Japan is also urging Aussies to look beyond the popular cities as it battles overtourism. Meanwhile, Mr Bell explained more Aussies are choosing to travel outside the busy seasons meaning fewer people on the same trails, quieter hotels, and more opportunities to interact with locals in a relaxed way. 'In many destinations, the shoulder seasons bring beautiful weather and seasonal foods that you'd miss at other times,' he said. Mr Bell said the company has responded to the travel shift by designing their tours to take in the iconic cities while also including nights in smaller towns and rural areas. He said this way it gives guests time to linger and connect more deeply with each place. 'That might mean exploring Tiger Island on a three-wheeled xe loi, meeting local craftspeople who make plant pots and incense, joining a farmer for a day's work, or relaxing in a traditional onsen in Nagano,' he added. Mr Bell advised Aussies planning a trip this year to think about what you most want to get out of your time away. '[It] can mean packing in as many sights and experiences as possible; while for others, it's about slowing the pace and soaking in the atmosphere,' he said. 'The most memorable trips often strike a balance, blending must-see highlights with moments that surprise you – be it a hidden cafe down a quiet street or a local festival you didn't know was happening. 'Leave space for the unexpected, and your journey will stay with you long after you return home.'

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