It's official: pickleball is making its way beyond traditional sports venues and into some of Asia's most appealing holiday destinations. From the pristine beaches of the Maldives to the vibrant landscapes of Bali, the fast-growing paddle sport is becoming part of the active holiday experience, bringing friendly competition and social interaction to resorts and travel destinations.
Key Highlights:
- Kandooma Maldives has unveiled a new pickleball court, offering guests a family-friendly recreational activity and one hour of complimentary play daily.
- The resort's court operates from 6 am to 6 pm, with equipment available to borrow through reception.
- Across Asia, initiatives in Bali, Phnom Penh, Hong Kong and Sabah are bringing pickleball into hotels, family recreation facilities and sport tourism.
- The sport's accessibility, limited space requirements and social appeal make it an attractive addition to modern holiday experiences.
Kandooma Maldives Adds a Pickleball Court to Its Island Experience
Imagine white sand beaches, turquoise waters and then… the rhythmic sound of a pickleball rally. This is now part of the experience at Kandooma Maldives, which has expanded its recreational facilities with a dedicated pickleball court.
Located approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from the international airport, the resort is giving families and groups another way to enjoy friendly competition while making the most of their island getaway.
Designed for players of all skill levels, the court is open daily from 6 am to 6 pm, with equipment available to borrow through the resort's reception team. Guests staying in any of Kandooma's 154 villas can also enjoy one hour of complimentary court time per day, with bookings handled by the recreation or front office staff.
The new facility complements the island's existing outdoor activities, giving visitors another option to stay active during their stay.
Why Resorts Are Increasingly Embracing Pickleball
The growing presence of pickleball in the hospitality sector, particularly across Asia, reflects the sport's accessibility and its appeal to modern travelers.
Space-Saving Fun and Easy Participation
One of pickleball's biggest advantages is that it doesn't require a large playing area. Its relatively compact court size makes it a practical recreational option for resorts where outdoor space needs to accommodate different activities.
More importantly, its straightforward rules and accessible gameplay allow beginners to pick up a paddle and enjoy a rally within minutes. This makes it suitable for holidaymakers of different ages and experience levels, especially families looking for activities they can enjoy together.
Meeting the Needs of Modern Travelers
Today's holidaymakers increasingly look for experiences that combine relaxation, physical activity and social interaction. Pickleball brings these elements together through a sport that encourages communication, friendly competition and participation across different age groups.
As more people discover the sport at home and in their local communities, resorts may also find growing demand for pickleball facilities as part of their recreational offerings.
Asia's Pickleball Growth: A Regional Phenomenon
The Maldives is just one example of how pickleball is finding its place in the wider travel and hospitality industry across Asia. From hotel partnerships to dedicated family recreation facilities, different destinations are exploring ways to incorporate the sport into their offerings.
Bali's Approach to Guest Engagement
In Bali, INDOPICO's Pickleball Experience Bali programme is inviting hotels, villas and travel partners to collaborate by offering coaching and play companions for guests.
The programme covers several locations, including Sanur, Legian, Renon and Lot Tunduh, creating opportunities for visitors to enjoy pickleball as part of their holiday experience.
Phnom Penh's Family-Friendly Pickleball Destination
In Phnom Penh, TheCommune Pickleball is being developed as a family-friendly destination featuring seven courts alongside a restaurant, wellness and recovery spaces, a children's play area and a pro shop.
The planned facility goes beyond traditional court access, combining sports, dining and family-oriented amenities to create a more complete recreational experience.
Hong Kong and Sabah: Bringing Pickleball Into Sport Tourism
In Hong Kong, property developer Sino Group has partnered with Bay Pickle to establish a youth pickleball academy at its One SilverSea property, supporting the development of younger players.
Meanwhile, in Sabah, organisers of the Sabah Open have openly identified sport tourism as one of their goals, using pickleball to attract visitors to Kota Kinabalu. These initiatives demonstrate how the sport can extend beyond recreational play, creating opportunities for community engagement, youth development and tourism.
More Than a Game: Pickleball's Growing Place in Travel
From shopping malls in Metro Manila to island resorts in the Indian Ocean, pickleball continues to appear in places few would have predicted just a few years ago. Whether at a boutique villa in Bali or a 154-villa island resort like Kandooma Maldives, dedicated courts are becoming an appealing addition to the guest experience.
For Kandooma's visitors, this means access to one hour of complimentary play every day, offering another way to enjoy the island's outdoor surroundings while staying active. As the sport continues to expand across Asia, its presence in hotels and holiday destinations shows how pickleball is becoming part of a wider travel experience.
