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All About the
Far East September 2012
Your one-stop guide to all the latest news and developments in the Far East
Produced by
www.travelbulletin.co.uk
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All About the
Far East T
here’s nothing like a visit from a future king and queen and the PR bandwagon that accompanies them to turn the global spotlight on the countries that welcome them. While Kate and William’s visit to Asia and Pacific has been somewhat overshadowed by the issue of the royal family, press and privacy, the round-the-clock coverage of the Duke and Duchess’s nine-day Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East can only bring positive PR opportunities for the countries that they have visited, which included Singapore and Malaysia. Like Wills and Kate who have had to squeeze a tour of Asia and the Pacific into nine days, I found it a challenge to decide on what countries to focus on for this All About the Far East supplement. There is a multitude of destinations to feature and a myriad of stories, resorts and attractions to include that it is difficult to know where to start. To kick off the supplement, What’s new (page 4) looks at what the Far East specialists are introducing for 2013 – it’s well worth a read as there are so many tours, and resorts, not to mention emerging destinations, such as Burma and North Korea. China (page 7) is on many people’s wish lists, and it seems, the best way for first-timers to experience this marvellous destination is on an escorted tour. We get the lowdown from the experts. Meanwhile, Hong Kong (page 9) has a lot to shout about at the moment; particularly on the new hotels’ front. An eternal favourite with the UK market, Thailand (page 10) has left its hippy trail roots well and truly in the 21st century. This section of the supplement looks at the inroads it is making into the niche holidays market, as well as what’s new for all the family. From the jungles of Borneo to the high-tech capital of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (page 14) has a lot to offer Brits looking for variety on their holiday. We get the lowdown from the tourist board on what to do, where to go and how to get the most out of a twoweek holiday to the destination. Finally, the Regional round-up (page 17) gathers news from countries in the Far East that are starting to flex their muscles in an attempt to grab some of the limelight from the more established countries. So, I hope our first All About Far East supplement is a good read and helps you to convert enquiries into bookings. Angela Cronin Supplements editor
All About The Far East
CONTENTS What’s new - 4 China - 7
Hong Kong - 9
Thailand - 10
Malaysia - 14
Regional round-up - 17
Published by
Lower Ground Floor, University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EX Tel: 020-7834 6661 Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe Written and researched by: Angela Cronin Email: angelacronin2003@yahoo.co.uk Design/Layout: Genaro Santos Printed by: Wyndeham Grange Limited Cover Picture: Families Worldwide ISSN: 0956-2419
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What’s new A visit to Vietnam isn't complete without a cruise around Halong Bay
As demand soars for tours that take travellers more off the beaten track in the Far East, operators have bolstered their programmes for 2013
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tunning landscapes, a myriad of cultures and great value for money make the countries in Asia irresistable to the UK market, and consequently, an easy sell for agents. Add to that emerging destinations, such as Burma and North Korea, and the region has practically every single holiday wish list covered. We look at how the operators are coping with the relentless demand for the Far East from first-timers and repeat visitors who just can’t get enough of the destination.
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An array of emerging hotels in the quieter beach destinations of Khao Lak, Koh Lanta and Krabi are also new along with family-friendly properties such as the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Mai Khao Beach. New tours include the 10-night Discover Vietnam tour that touches all the main attractions, the two-day Mekong Delta Tour that cruises past floating markets, rice fields, forests, villages and sugar cane fields and the Eastern and Orient Express Road to Mandalay cruise to Burma.
Kuoni The Asia specialist has launched its 2013 Far East brochure featuring a range of new resorts, multi-centres, tours and family-friendly holidays. The highlights include: an increase in multi-centres, beach stays and touring holidays in Vietnam due to the new direct service from Vietnam Airlines; new hotels in Hanoi, Phan Thiet, Mui Ne and Nha Trang, including the five-star Fusion Alya in Hoi An, the country's first culinary resort with open show kitchen opening later this year, and the new four-star Liberty Central. Ten hotels in Thailand that are exclusive to Kuoni have been introduced including the Andaman White Beach and the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Mai Khao Beach in Phuket, the Let's Sea in Hua Hin and Lit! Bangkok.
Wendy Wu Tours The tours specialist has launched its 2013 brochures featuring 11 new itineraries to China (see pages 7-9) and eight new tours to Indochina. New for 2013 is the your-way travel planner, which allows customers to tailor-make their own packages from a choice of 70 short stays that they can put together. The new tours include a range of classic, specialist and adventurous programmes as well as the chance to explore a range of new destinations. The latest Indochina itineraries include the 18-day Indochina Delights group tour, which takes in Vietnam, Laos and the temples of Angkor in Cambodia. The first tour departs on 26 January 2013 with prices from £3,190 per person. All About The Far East
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Far East The 13-day Vietnam by Rail tour is also new and enables visitors to see the highlights of Vietnam with Vietnam’s Reunification Express Train. The journey starts in Hanoi and takes in Halong Bay, Hoi An, My Son and Qui Nhon, an Island Cruise at Nha Trang before finishing in Ho Chi Minh City. The first tour departs on 1 January 2013 and leads in at £2,690 per person. Travel Indochina The specialist has launched a DVD for the travel trade that showcases its key destinations and enables travel agents to gain in-depth knowledge of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China and India. The DVDs are categorised into destination sections, meaning that agents can choose to refresh their knowledge on a particular town or resort or use the videos for background viewing to whet customers’ appetites. The format can also be used by managers to train their teams on Travel Indochina’s destinations and products or to send to customers they know will be inspired to book by watching the footage. International sales and marketing manager Lesley Wright said: “The DVDs provide a one-stop shop to find out all there is to know about Travel Indochina’s products and style of travel in our key destinations. We hope they will prove a helpful tool foragents.” If Only The luxury operator has seen a growth in demand for holidays that give clients the opportunity to explore Asia beyond the beach. The specialist puts the increasing interest in once-in-a-lifetime tours down to its tie-up with luxury cruiseline Silversea that has allowed it to extend its programme to incorporate cruises and rail journeys with Eastern and Oriental Express. “Our current offering of flights, transfers, a two night, five-star Hong Kong city stay, a seven-night Silversea voyage through the South China Sea and an overnight in Ho Chi Minh City from £4,329 has been really well received by agents, as are the optional add-ons that include a three-night cultural tour to Cambodia or a seven-night indulgent beach stay at Banyan Tree Lang Co in Vietnam” said Brendan Maguire, managing director of If Only All About The Far East
A holiday to China isn’t complete without a visit to see the impressive Terracotta Warriors
“The success of our cruise, tour and stay options with Silversea has inspired us to promote even more of these packages in the future”. Hayes and Jarvis The long-haul specialist has launched its Far East programme for 2013 with a focus on new tours in Burma (see box on page 6) and South Korea. The operator has also added touring options for Vietnam, Laos and Malaysia and is offering guaranteed departure dates for its China tours, alongisde new resorts in Bali and Vietnam as well as an expansion in the number of Uniquely H&J properties and a wider hotel collection in Thailand. For South Korea, Hayes and Jarvis has introduced a new cultural tour. The eight-day Highlights of South Korea spotlights the contrasts of the country, from the capital Seoul and the Royal Tombs of Gyeoungju to the history of the Demilitarised Zone. Prices for the tour lead in at £2,199 per person. Hayes and Jarvis has also revamped its tours in Vietnam and Malaysia. The 11-night Malaysia Explorer now takes in Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and the Cameron Highlands, linking these with a four-night stay in Penang at the end of the tour. Prices start at £1,890 per person.
In Vietnam, the established Highlights of Vietnam itinerary has been replaced with a longer Journey Through Vietnam tour offering guaranteed departures from the UK on Tuesdays and accommodation in four-star hotels. The operator’s Bali programme has also been strengthened with new properties on the west coast including Legian Beach, with prices from £1,259 per person, and the five-star Jimbaran Puri Bali with packages from £1,819 per person. Both prices are for five nights and include flights. Meanwhile, there are seven properties featured as Uniquely H&J in Thailand and Bali. New resorts include the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, the Veranda Resort and Spa, Cha-Am and the Bali Tropic in Tanjung Benoa, Bali. Condor The airline is poised to launch flights from Frankfurt to Siem Reap in Cambodia and Rangoon in Burma. The flights to Siem Reap will operate on Fridays with flights to Rangoon on Tuesdays. Condor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thomas Cook. The fleet comprises 35 aircrafts, including 12 Airbus A320s, 13 Boeing 757-300s and 10 Boeing 767-300s.
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Far East Burma – the emerging destination Off the tourist map for decades, political reforms initiated by new president Thein Sein, who came to power last year and the subsequent easing of international trade sanctions has helped to propel Burma into the tourism spotlight with operators adding tours to their programmes, which are selling out as Brits look to explore the next new destination. Here are just some of the operators who have are venturing into this new tourism territory. Cox and Kings The tailor-made specialist has introduced a new tour to Burma following a 20% increase in bookings to the country, making it one of the operator’s best-selling destinations. The new private tour, Burma Explorer, takes clients away from the usual tourist sights to areas such as the sacred Golden Rock and Rudyard Kipling’s fabled Moulmein, which still retains a quaint British colonial charm. The 19-day/16-night tour leads in at £4,245 per person, while the 13-day/10-night escorted group tour, the Golden Land of Burma starts at £2,995 per person. Travel Indochina The Far East specialist has introduced additional departures for its 13-day Burma Revealed Small Group Journey following a surge in the demand. From October to March 2013, Travel Indochina will offer weekly departures on this specialist tour in order to cater for the high demand. Intrepid Travel The operator has also added extra departures for its Best of Burma tour due to demand. Intrepid introduced Burma to its Far East programme after opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi welcomed the return of tourists if they travel in a small-scale way that benefits local people. In response to phenomenal customer demand, Intrepid tripled the number of departures of its Best of Burma tour earlier this year and already has strong bookings into spring 2013. The must-see sites are included in the tour, which visits Yangon, Bagan, which has thousands of ruined temples and rivals Cambodia's Angkor Wat, the picturesque Inle Lake, the mountain town of Kalaw, and the U Bein Bridge in Mandalay, the world's longest teak bridge. Prices start at £1,230 excluding flights. Wendy Wu Tours The escorted tours specialist has added Burma to its programme for the first time. The 13-day Burma Explorer tour visits Rangoon, the former capital of Burma, the pagodas and temples of
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The temples of Bagan are said to rival those of Angkor Wat and feature in most tours of Burma
Bagan, Mount Popa, the last Royal city of Mandalay, Mingun, Pindaya Cave and Lake and Inle Lake. Prices lead in at £2,390 per person and include flights, local transportation, accommodation and all meals, tour guides, entrance fees and visas for UK passport holders. Hayes and Jarvis The long-haul specialist has introduced Burma for 2013. “Burma has hit the headlines over the past year for all the right reasons and, as a result, has attracted an increasing number of enquiries to our call centre. That is why this is exactly the right time to offer the country to H&J clients,” said head of product Andrea Loddo. Prices for the Classic Burma escorted tour, available with daily private departures, start from £1,899 per person. The itinerary includes stays at Yangon and Bagan, with the opportunity to visit the famous 2,500year-old Shwedagon Pagoda as well as many of Bagan’s temples and pagodas. The second half of the seven-day itinerary features scenic boat tours around Inle Lake. Another new option for clients who want to visit Burma is to take the luxury Road to Mandalay Cruise with Orient-Express. Priced from £4,249 per person, this 10-day cruise tour visits Yangon, Bagan and Inle Lake, while also including stays at The Governor’s Residence in Yangon and the Thiripyitsaya Sancutary Resort. Bales Worldwide The tailor-made specialist features a 14-day Burma the Golden Land tour. The itinerary visits the capital Yangon, the former colonial capital of Rangoon, Mandalay, the ancient cities of Amarapura and Ava, the famous gardens around Pyin Oo Lwin, a cruise down the Irawaddy River, the temples of Bagan and Inle Lake. Prices lead in at £3,095
All About The Far East
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Made in China From getting up close with giant pandas to marvelling at one of the world’s most impressive skylines, China and Hong Kong have plenty of experiences to whet your appetite
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osting the Olympics back in 2008 gave China the chance to show the world what a spectacular country
it is. And as the market to the destinations matures, operators are finding that while first-timers still make up a big part of their bookings, clients are returning in search of different experiences, whether that be to discover more about the culture of the country or to pick up some tips on how to knock up a tasty Chinese dish or two on a culinary tour. Also, while Hong Kong is a popular destination in its own right, many visitors include it as an extension to a holiday to China. So what’s the latest news on what operators and hotels have to offer for the next 12 months in China and Hong Kong? Collette Worldwide Holidays The escorted tours specialist has launched its 2013/14 brochure, which features three tours to China – Highlights of China, Best of China and Ancient Wonders and Yangtze River Cruise. The Best of China tour has been extended from 13 to 15 days with new additions to the itinerary including a visit to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition
Centre, Tian Zi Fang, Xian City Wall, the Treasure Hall in Forbidden City and a visit to a calligraphy master. The city of Guilin has been added to the tour, with accommodation in the Guilin Bravo Hotel and visits to the Reed Flute Caves and Elephant Trunk Hill. Prices lead in at £2,499 per person, with departures from 1 May 2013 through to April 2014. The Ancient Wonders and Yangtze River Cruise has also been extended by one day to 17 days, with extra nights added in Beijing, Shanghai and Xian (and two nights removed in Guilin). Prices start at £2,899. The 10-day Highlights of China tour is suited to first-time visitors to China as it incorporates all the must-see highlights of the country, with prices from £1,469. This tour is based in Beijing and includes Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Summer Palace, Lama Temple, a Hutong Rickshaw Tour, Acrobatics Show and culinary delights including a Peking Duck dinner, hot pot dinner and Imperial Cuisine Courtyard Dinner. Bales Worldwide The tailor-made specialist has added a new 17-day tour to China. The Yangtze and Pandas Tour starts off
in Beijing and Xian, before flying to Chongqing in west China to start a cruise down the Yangtze River to visit sanctuaries to see giant pandas, ancient monasteries, cave sculptures and the Three Gorges. The tour continues on to the Shanghai before exploring the karst landscapes along the Li River. There is also the option to extend your holiday and add 2 extra nights in vibrant Hong Kong. Prices start at £2,995 with the option to add two extra nights in Hong Kong. Travel Indochina The Far East specialist has added a new 14day China Culinary Discover tour for 2013. The tour will travel through Beijing, Xian, Chengdu and Shanghai and will include three cooking lessons in special locations, for example, in Beijing’s hutongs, a family home in Chendu. Clients will also be offered the chance to go on two specially-designed food walking tours through backstreets and local areas to discover the tasty treats found hidden away; and some of the country’s most famous dishes, such as Peking Duck and Shanghai ‘soup dumplings’ in restaurants favoured by the locals.
Shanghai city skyline, China
All About The Far East
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Far East The small group tour leads in at £2,295 per person, based on twin-share accommodation. The price includes all accommodation, road transport, English-speaking guides, all sightseeing and airport transfers. International flights are excluded. Wendy Wu Tours The escorted tours specialist has introduced new tours to China for 2013. The latest additions include China & Beyond, which includes a 11-day private programme ‘China by Rail’, offering visitors the chance to experience the highlights of China on a private rail experience starting in Beijing and ending in Hong Kong. The first tour starts on 1 January 2013 and leads in at £2,190 per person. The new nine-day private tour In Pursuit of Pandas is targeted at first-
timers who are short of time. It offers visitors the chance to discover China’s historical sites, such as Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors and the Grand Buddha of Leshan before heading to the giant panda conservation centre in Chengdu. The first tour departs on 19 January and leads in at £1,490 per person. The 24-day tour Road to Samarkand has been added to Wendy Wu’s classic Silk Road Explorer programme. The tour crosses through China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan ending up in the UNESCO listed city of Samarkand. The first tour departs on 5 May 2013 and is priced from £4,290 per person. Explore The adventure specialist has introduced a new tour of China to its Limited Collection, a new programme launched
earlier this year that focuses on little-visited destinations, undiscovered festivals and special events. The 11-day Harbin Ice Festival and Chinese New Year tour allows customers to spend one and a half days exploring the huge Harbin Ice Festival where they can watch winter swimming, admire the Snow Sculpture Exposition and explore Zhaolin Park where beautiful ice lanterns can be found on display. The tour also visits Beijing and Xian, as well as Hong Kong’s New Year Parade where customers can watch from reserved seats. Departing on 1 February 2013, the tour leads in at £2,272 per person and includes return flights, nine nights’ hotel and one night’s train accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis; two meals; transport and the services of a tour leader, driver and local guides.
Must-see sites – China Elegant Resorts product manager Sandra Harrison recommends the sites that must be on the list of every first-time visitor to China. The Great Wall of China – it runs 5,500 miles from east to west China, but most tours access the Great Wall from just outside Beijing. The Forbidden City – the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares, it is located at the centre of Beijing. The Forbidden City was built during the reign of Emperor Chengzu in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and was the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is called the Forbidden City as it was forbidden to enter without permission of the emperor. Tiananmen Square – mass protests back in 1989, which led to the killing of several hundred people by the Chinese army put Tiananmen Square on the map for all the wrong reasons. Today, tourists flock to the square to visit the Tiananmen Tower, the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People and Mao Zedong Memorial Hall. The Summer Palace – just nine miles northwest of Beijing, the Summer Palace is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. It was first built in 1750, largely destroyed in the war of 1860 and restored on its original foundations in 1886. Its setting is magnificent among natural landscape of hills and open water, combined with pavilions, halls and palaces. Panda Research and Breeding Centre in Chegdu – a holiday to China isn’t complete without a visit to Chegdu to see the giant pandas – China’s national treasures.
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Sanya – hit the beaches of Sanya. Described as the gateway to the South China, Sanya is a popular tourist destination for those who want a bit of sun, sea and sand Chinese style. Mogao Caves in Dunhuang – located in Gansu Province, the caves are believed to be the richest treasure house of Buddhist art in the world, it comprises 492 caves with more than 450,000 sq ft of murals dating from the 4th to the 14th centuries in a desert oasis. The Li River at Guilin – located it n Guangxi Province, the Li River flows through Guilin and Yangshuo. Its real pulling is a 50-mile stretch that is flanked on both sides by stunning limestone formations. The Shanghai Art Museum – based in the ultra modern city of Shanghai, which boasts an impressive skyline as well as being the centre of finance, technology, trade and culture in China, the Shanghai Art Museum is a must for visitors keen to get to grips with ancient Chinese art. The Terracotta Warriors and Horses – probably the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Located in Lintong, Xian, Shaanxi Province, the army of Terracotta Warriors were built 2000 years ago to guard the first Chinese emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb. Warriorrs Work is ongoing at this site; in fact more warriors were discovered earlier this year. Yangtze River – nearly 4,000 miles long, the might Yangtze is the longest river in China. The most famous part of this river is the Three Gorges area between Chongqing and Yichang, so hop on a cruise to get the most out of a visit to this area.
All About The Far East
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Far East Whether a standalone city break, an addon to a holiday in China, or a stopover to Australia and New Zealand, Hong Kong has plenty to offer visitors. We get the lowdown from the Hong Kong Tourist Board about the new kids on the block for 2012/13. HKTB news The Hong Kong Tourist Board has given its Discover Hong Kong website (discoverhongkong.com/uk) a new look. Visitors can make their very own Hong Kong guide, add areas and attractions in Hong Kong and organise them into a personalised guide. The guide includes essential information, a map and information on the attractions or area that visitors to the site have chosen. The website also has information on all of the apps that visitors can use during their trip to Hong Kong. For more details, go to discoverhongkong.com/uk/planyour-trip/travel-kit/mobile-apps Hotel news A new four-star hotel has opened in Mongkok. The Cosmo Mongkok has 285 rooms with six different room types, including family rooms.
The Peninsula Hong Kong has completed the first stage of its room renovation programme. The luxury hotel has unveiled its newly refurbished guestrooms in The Peninsula Tower, with high-end materials used in the furnishings to echo the design touches in luxury cars and fashion design. In the bathrooms, LED touch-screen panels have been installed on the wall and beside baths so guests can watch terrestrial and internet TV or listen to the radio. New mood-lighting to create a spa setting has also been installed. A new hotel has opened in the Queens Road Central area of Hong Kong. The Ovolo Hotel has 60 rooms with a Japanese twist and some of the latest gadgets including the new Apple TV 3s and an in-room tablet that features a full e-guest directory and links guests directly to Ovolo’s 24-hour Reception Team. The hotel also boasts an all-inclusive concept, a 24-hour Lo Lounge: Work, play, mingle and a gym. A new hotel has opened in the vibrant business hub of Kwun Tong, East Kowloon.
L’Hotel L’elan has 254 guestrooms and suites, including two duplexes located on the top floor. The hotel offers a selection of e-tech services and facilities including eCheck-in and eKiosk information services that are available via the eGuest system installed in each iPad in their guestrooms. InterContinental Hotels Group will be opening the first Hotel Indigo in Hong Kong in December. This part of the IHG brand will also be located along Queen’s Road East in Wan Chai, an area rich in historical sites. The group behind the Mira Hotel, Mira Group, are set to open its second hotel Mira Moon in the first quarter of next year. A member of the Design Hotels consortium, the hotel’s location close to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai will make it a popular choice with business travellers. The new hotel will have 90 guestrooms and one penthouse suite. Meanwhile, sister hotel the Mira Hong Kong has launched a round-the-clock Mira 24 room package allowing for flexible check-in around the clock. Budget hotel group Ibis has opened a new hotel in Hong Kong. The Ibis Hong Kong Central and Sheung Wan is the brand’s flagship property in Asia and will showcase the brand’s new identity, that is being rolled out across the world The 550-room property is just a short walk from Sheung Wan MTR station and the Macau Ferry terminal, and features three room types; Studio, City View, and Harbour View rooms, which offer views of Hong Kong’s famous harbour.
Hong Kong A view from the peak over Victoria Harbour and Kowloon
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It’s Thai time
From the beaches in the city to the vibrant capital of Bangkok and the hill towns and jungles of the north, Thailand ticks all the right boxes when it comes to culture, history, relaxation and breath-taking scenery
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hailand has been a hot favourite with Brits for many years now, and for a good reason, the country just keeps on delivering when it comes to variety and quality of holiday experiences. While Thailand has some of the world’s most stunning beaches that appeal to sun worshippers looking for some R&R, it also has an established reputation as a spa lovers’ retreat with resorts such as Chiva Som setting the pace in establishing programmes that help guests find the right equilibrium for their mind, body and soul. For visitors keen to get away from the crowds, operators have a number of itineraries that include hill trekking in the north of the country with guides. Then there are the more niche options such as cookery holidays where guests learn how to cook the Thai way, or temple tours We catch up with some operators to find out how your clients can experience Thailand away from the beaches.
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number of pages dedicated to tailor-made holidays with a focus on getting off the beaten track. New for next year is the 15-day Issan: Thailand’s Hidden Gems, which ventures through northeast Thailand, also known as Isaan, which is a land-locked agricultural region located on the Korat plateau, bordered by the Mekong river and Laos to the north and east, and Cambodia to the south. The tour visits many of the region’s national parks and archaeological sites including a dinosaur museum in Kalasin, the UNESCO World Heritage centre and prehistoric settlement of Baan Chiang in Udon Thani, the prehistoric rock paintings at Pha Taem in Ubon Ratchathani, and ancient Khmer temples. Sample product: £3,395 per person with flights, transfers, excursions and accommodation with breakfast daily and other meals as specified.
Trekking Cox and Kings has seen a 30% increase in passenger numbers to Thailand this year compared to 2011 with a particular demand for clients wanting to see more of the local culture and explore beyond the main tourist trails. For 2013, the specialist has introduced a
Cooking holidays Tell Tale Travel has launched a new cooking holiday in Thailand called Sizzingly Fruity. It is a nine-day private tour for two and starts with an overnight stay in Bangkok to experience the delights of the city before heading off to Krabi in southern Thailand, All About The Far East
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Buddha on the beach.
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Far East
The Vijitt Resort Phuket
where the cooking lessons start and guests get to grips with the basics of Thai cookery and how southern Thai food fits into it. After a day of relaxation exploring the surrounding islands, the following day, Tell Tale’s local guide will take guests to Krabi market to see to buy ingredients for the dishes they will learn to cook. Later that day, the guides will teach the guests how to cook their secret family recipes including a delicious Massaman curry. Sample product: the nine-day tour costs from £1,400 per person based on two people sharing a tour. It includes flights, accommodation, activities and excursions, some meals and transfers. Tell Tale Travel also offers a longer 16day tour called the Lemon Grass Trail, which is perfect for those keen to hone their Thai cookery skills. Prices for this tour start at £1,900. Intrepid Travel offers a two-day experience at the Chiang Mai Cooking
Keep it in the family For family-friendly, affordable holidays, Thailand is tough to beat. We look at a small range of hotels and tours that make child’s play of keeping all the family happy. Vijitt Resort Phuket in Phuket's southern, laidback and unspoiled Rawai district has accommodation well suited for family groups, with stand-alone pool villas and two-bedroom pool villas, allowing plenty of space for the kids to run around. During the day the kids can head to the Rotunda, which houses a kids’ pool, indoor and outdoor playground, activity room, relaxation room and a movie and games room. The kids’ club has an extensive programme of day-time activities too. Sample product: rates start at £497 for a two-bedroom pool villa. Tell Tale Travel’s Reefs, Rays and Lagoons tour starts with an overnight stay in Bangkok before heading off the following day to the island of Ko Talu. The crystal-clear waters around the island are shallow so it's perfect relaxation for all the family. The adults can even enjoy a traditional Thai massage right on the beach, while the children play. The following days’ activities include: trekking into the jungle on the island to the peak of the
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island’s mountain before abseiling down the side; a private boat trip for some snorkelling; a day working on the island's coral reforestation project; and a day’s kayaking to discover the island’s wildlife that lives on along the coastline. On day eight, the tour leaves Ko Talu for Hua Hin, where here is the opportunity to visit the evening markets, marvel at some of the biggest waterfalls in Thailand and go horse riding. The tour returns to Bangkok for the last few days to explore the city’s sights, including a cruise down Chao Praya river. Sample product: this 15-day tour costs from £1,800 per adult and £1,350 for under 12s and includes flights, accommodation, activities, transport and most meals. Family adventure specialist, The Adventure Company offers a number of options in Thailand for families. These include the 14-day Land of Smiles tour, which features elephant rides through the jungle in Soppong, a journey through Bangkok's canals on a long-tail boat to discover its many temples, a few days’ fun on the tropical beaches of Hua Hin, and a cooking class in Chiang Mai. Sample product: prices start at £1,629 per child and £1,789 per adult including flights. Children must be aged seven and over.
All About The Far East
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Far East School. It is ideal for foodies and passengers who are looking for something a little different either as an add-on to a longer tour or holiday, or as part of an independent trip through the country. After a tour of the local markets to learn about the ingredients that make Thai food so fragrant, the group transfers to a cooking school to learn how to master a number of popular Thai dishes, and a recipe book is provided to help them recreate the dishes back home. Sample product: two days from £50 per person twin share, excluding flights. Island hopping Intrepid Travel recently introduced a range of island-hopping sailing adventures. The holidays are designed with solo travellers in mind as they can be booked by the berth. Passengers can help to sail the boat, learn the ropes, or just relax and enjoy stops at idyllic islands. The ship sails from Phuket to Ko Hong, Railay in Krabi, Ko Lant and Ko Phi Phi.
For agents Elegant Resorts is planning to host a fam trip for agents to support the new product in its 2013 brochure, which is due out in early November. The operator is also planning to team up with the Tourism Authority of Thailand for a dedicated campaign to lift the profile of the destination. Agents interested in joining future fam trips should email sandra.harrison@elegantresorts.co.uk Sample product: prices start at £515 for four days’ sailing, excluding flights. Taster tour Pitched as the travel company for the grown-up backpacker, Encounters Travel offers a choice of longer group tours, ideal for those in their 20s through to their 40s who want to explore a country off-the-beaten-track, within the security of like-minded travellers. The operator offers an 18-day Siam Treasures tour, which begins in the capital Bangkok before heading north by sleeper train to Thailand’s second city,
Chiang Mai. Here, the tour guides will take visitors into Thailand’s mountainous jungle for a two-night trek among the local hill tribes, where they will enjoy bamboo rafting and elephant rides, before returning to central Thailand to explore the Khao Sok National Park. The tour ends with three days on Ko Samui. Sample product: prices start at £1,145 per person and include airport transfers, internal transfers, local guides accommodation on a mixed-board basis in hotels, village huts, tree houses and beach resorts. International flights are excluded.
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The high life
From the jungles of Borneo to the beaches of Langkawi, Malaysia has a lot to shout about
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alaysia is a country of two halves, separated by the South China Sea with diverse landscapes, cultures and experiences. Bordering Thailand to the north of the country, Peninsular Malaysia is one of those halves and is home to the capital Kuala Lumpur and the more established resorts of Penang and Langkawi, which is an island just off the west coast. The other half is the jungle paradise of Malaysian Borneo, which is divided into the states of Sarawak and Sabah, with Brunei a small enclave squeezed in between them.
Both states are covered by dense jungle and Sabah is home to Malaysia’s highest mountain, Mount Kinabalu. With a country so vast, the holiday experience is unquestionably varied and as a consequence is the perfect destination for a twin, or multi-centre holiday that can combine a few days in the capital Kuala Lumpur with some time trekking in the jungles of Borneo followed by some chilling out time on the beautiful beaches of Penang and Langkawi. Its assortment of holiday experiences make Malaysia a perfect destination for a family holiday, with children guaranteed to be enthralled
All About The Far East
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Far East by the buzz of the capital, the fun of the beaches and the excitement of the jungles. We catch up with some operators to find out what holidays they can recommend that will fit the bill for families looking to have a holiday of a lifetime.
The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur are the tallest twin towers in the world, which makes them a must-see site on any visit to Malaysia
Island-hopping If your client doesn’t fancy staying in one place during the holiday and is keen to explore, then why don’t you suggest they do a bit of island hopping – they will be spoilt for choice in Malaysia. This is the perfect way to enjoy the beaches with Tioman Island being particularly well suited to families. Children can snorkel in the shallows and meet the marine life at Redang Island or watch the enormous yet harmless water monitor lizards basking in the sun off the coast of Kota Kinabalu on Pulau Sapi. Sample product: Kuoni offers seven nights in Malaysia on room and breakfast basis, staying one night at the Melia Kuala Lumpur in a Melia Guestroom and six nights at the Berjaya Tioman Resort in a standard chalet, including flights and transfers from 2013 for £1,507 per person. City life Malaysia is the premier shopping destination in southeast Asia. With its multitude of luxury malls, stores and street-side stalls throughout the country offering a variety of clothes, cosmetics, shoes, handbags and the latest in technological and electrical appliances, Malaysia is a shoppers’ paradise. The fantastic exchange rates and duty free status on most items in the country result in visitors to Malaysia enjoying great shopping. Shopaholics can make the most of discounted goods during Malaysia’s End of Year Sale from 10 November 2012 to 1 January 2013. In these sales months, shoppers are treated to discounts, bargains and promotions on everything from gifts, souvenirs and branded items. Another event not to be missed is Kuala Lumpur’s 1Malaysia International Shoe Festival at the end of March each year. All About The Far East
Malaysia Airlines launches A380 service from UK Malaysia Airlines has launched daily non-stop flights between Heathrow and Kuala Lumpur using the new super-jumbo Airbus A380. The new service follows the inaugural A380 service earlier in the summer, which operates three times per week on this route. Malaysia Airlines’ A380 flight departs from Heathrow daily at noon and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 7.35am the next day. The inbound flight departs Kuala Lumpur daily at 11.40pm and arrives in Heathrow at 5.50am the following day. The A380 has a capacity of 494 seats with 350 economy and eight fully flat first-class seats on the main deck, and 66 fully flat business class and 70 economy seats on the upper deck. Malaysia Airlines’ A380 has the widest first-class seats at 40ins and has introduced a gourmet Chef-on-Call service for first and business-class guests
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Far East Sample product: Hayes and Jarvis offers a one-week twin-centre that includes two nights’ room-only at the Hotel Capitol in Kuala Lumpur and five nights’ B&B at Mutiara Burau Bay Beach Resort, Langkawi. Prices lead in at £995 per person (based on two sharing). Kuoni offers three nights’ room-only at the Dorsett Regency, Kuala Lumpur in a deluxe room, including flights and transfers. Prices start at £1,113 per person. Walk on the wild side Family adventure specialist The Adventure Company has devised a tour designed to give children the chance to get up close with the wildlife of Malaysia. The 15-day Flavour of Malaysia tour takes families to meet orang-utans on Orang-utan Island, the world’s first rehabilitation and conservation facility where orang-utans roam free. They also visit the Turtle Breeding Station in Penang where the children can enjoy close encounters with endangered creatures, including one of the world's largest firefly colonies in Kuala Lumpur. There are also a number of temples and massive Buddha statues of historic Penang to visit. The tour includes guided walks in the jungle too with a chance to swim in forest waterfalls and sample rural life at a traditional Malaysian village .. And a trip to Malaysia wouldn’t be the same without a visit to the capital Kuala Lumpur to marvel at the Petronas Towers and explore the depths of Batu Caves Hill. Sample product: prices start at £2,129 per child and £2,269 per adult including flights. This holiday is only that is suitable for children aged seven and over. Funway Holidays recommends families also consider hopping on a short flight from the mainland across to Borneo to rock climb, mountain bike and trek through the highland rainforest while tracking animal footprints or learn to dive in the depths of the South China Sea. Caving is also an increasingly popular and invigorating attraction found throughout Malaysia, where families can stroll amongst the stalactites and roosting bats. Product administration executive
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Legoland Malaysia has just opened in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia
Nandita Patel says: "Borneo is very popular with our clients as it’s an appealing and exotic option for families who want to escape the normal theme parks and attractions of Orlando. “Borneo is a natural paradise, with tropical jungles, mountain ranges and home to the endangered Orang-utans." Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort caters well for families, says Patel. "Located in Sabah, along Pantai Dalit Beach, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort offers a range of exciting activities for the whole family to enjoy, from horseback riding on the beach, taking a visit to their private orang-utan sanctuary or taking a hike or bicycle ride along jungle trails, exploring the exotic flora and fauna on the way. Children can also be entertained at the resort’s kids club, with an 18-hole golf course close by and luxury spa on hand where parents can unwind whilst the kids are at play." Sample product: Funway Holidays offers seven nights staying at Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort, Borneo including transfers and flights from £4,099 for two adults and two children. Family fun Legoland Malaysia has opened in Kota Iskandar, Johor, in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia.
The new 76-acre theme park has 40 rides and attractions including from roller coasters to race cars as well as family-focused interactive shows. Tickets are £29 for adults and £23 for children. Kota Iskandar, Johor is 220 miles from Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. UK visitors can fly to the closest airport Johor Bahru via Kuala Lumpur. Lagoon Sunway Just 15 minutes from the capital Kuala Lumpur, Lagoon Sunway is five theme parks rolled into one, boasting a water park, a scream park and a wildlife park complete with petting zoo and an amusement park. Kuala Lumpur Families can shop till they drop in the shopping malls at the Petronas Towers, or enjoy a adrenaline-pumping ride in the lifts to the top of the towers for stunning views of the city. For kids who love science, seek out the Petrosains Discovery Centre, inside the towers. It has lots of fun and interactive exhibits as well as a number of science programmes for children to get involved in. Alternatively, for some outdoors fun in the sun, visit the Heritage Park in the heart of the city, which is more than just a park. It is also home to three museums, a theatre and a planetarium.
All About The Far East
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Inside Japan's 14-night Best of Japan tour visits all the must-see sites including three nights in Tokyo
Regions to be cheerful Finding ways to attract travellers away from the more established tourism hot spots of the Far East is a priority for the countries that want to share centre stage with the likes of Thailand, China and Malaysia. We find out what they have up their sleeves.
All About The Far East
Korea British Airways is to start services to South Korean capital Seoul in December. BA will operate six flights a week to Seoul, although tickets for the services have been on sale since the beginning of May. A Boeing 777, with First class, Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy) cabins, will serve the six flights a week to Seoul. Meanwhile, Korean Air has expanded services from the UK to Korea with an extra three flights a week. The new operation comprises the current daily service from Heathrow and an extra three services per week from Gatwick. These Gatwick flights depart at 10:30am arriving in Seoul Incheon at 5:25am the following day. The inbound flight will depart Seoul Incheon at 6:40pm arriving into Gatwick at 10:35pm the same day. The Korea Tourism Organisation has seen UK visitor numbers rise by 7.3% from 97,519 in 2010 to 104,781 in 2011. This year got off to a good start too
with forecasts suggesting a 14.2% increase in arrivals in January over the same month last year. The KTO says operators have played a big role in increasing visitor numbers, for example Hayes and Jarvis has created a new tour, Highlights of Korea, while Explore, Cox and Kings, Austravel and Inspired by Asia have expanded their programmes. The KTO is focusing on niche markets to increase arrivals with themes such as Recharge your energy, which is designed to promote health and well-being holidays to Korea. The tourism board is also keen to promote luxury tourism by creating new luxury products that will be promoted through press and operator fam trips. Cruise, rail and sport tourism are also on the agenda. Meanwhile, the KTO has launched an uprgraded version of its Visit Korea smartphone app. Visit Korea 2.0 contains more Korea travel content and information, which have been optimised for mobile use and increased user-friendliness. It is available for free download on iPhone and Android.
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Far East Singapore Singapore has seen a 5% increase in UK visitors in the first three months of 2012 compared with the same period last year. More than 139,000 people visited from the UK between January and March, and the tourist board puts much of this increase down to a range of new entertainment facilities, attractions design hotels and a wealth of new dining options. These new attractions include Gardens By the Bay, the opening of the Marina Bay Cruise Centre and the River Safari. Stephanie Yong, area director northern and western Europe, said:“It is fantastic that the ever-changing skyline continues to see Singapore remain hugely attractive to UK visitors. As Singapore continues to evolve it has built more state-of-the-art facilities, such as Gardens By The Bay adding to the wealth of options for visitors, meaning that they are staying longer than ever before.” Macau The Macau Government Tourist Office has launched new apps and tools for
mobile phones to help visitors get the most out of their stay in the Special Administrative Region. iPhone and iPad users can now explore areas such as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Historic Centre of Macau with the support of the new Macau Geoguide free app, offering map browsing, keyword search, GPS mapping, distance and area measurement, as well as a bookmark system. A mobile version of the Macau Online Map (webmap.gis.gov.mo) has also been launched, enabling visitors to navigate Macau by tapping in the name of a hotel, restaurant, street or place of interest. A Macau Taxi Translator app has also been launched which will help non-Chinese speaking visitors to communicate with local taxi drivers. Meanwhile, the St Lazarus district of Macau has been rejuvenated into a hub of creativity and fashion, with one of the newest attractions, the Macau Fashion Gallery, opening earlier this year. Another new space is the Macau Story House, comprising historical research, education and arts. Other notable openings in Macau this year include a new harbour sightseeing cruise, the launch of the Sands Cotai
Central, the first integrated city in Macau, with hotel rooms from brands such as Conrad, Sheraton and Holiday Inn brands, 92 luxury retail outlets, entertainment, three health clubs; two spas; and 20 dining options. Japan Japan Journeys has introduced a new tour to offer clients the opportunity to make the most of the Japanese autumn. The 10-night, expert-guided Classic Gardens Tour takes in Kyoto Botanical Gardens, the landscaped gardens at Korakuen and the award-winning Adachi Museum of Art garden at Yonago, which are dotted with beautiful temples and shrines, and surrounded by fire-red maple trees. The trip also includes a journey on the Bullet Train to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, before taking the ferry to the island of Miyajima to see the famous gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Prices lead in at £2,695 per person sharing and include flights, transfers, bed and breakfast accommodation, some evening meals, a seven-day Japan Rail Pass, all train and subway fees, entrance fees and the services of a bilingual guide throughout.
Cox and Kings has ventured into North Korea with a new tour for 2013 that visits the capital of Pyongyang
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All About The Far East
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Far East Inside Japan Tours has seen bookings bounce back following last year’s tsunami that devastated the north of Japan. Marketing manager James Mundy said: “Almost half of our customers cancelled their trips in the few months directly after the tsunami, but word began to spread that the majority of Japan was unaffected. particularly the tourist favourites such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Okinawa. “As a consequence, visitors to Japan continually increased throughout 2011 with February 2012 seeing Inside Japan's busiest sales month in its 12year history with an 8% increase in sales,” he added. “Sales have continued positively through the summer which is a big traditional festival season in Japan and it is hoped that numbers continue through the often overlooked autumn months.” The operator has a 14-night Best of Japan self-guided package that includes all the must-see sites along with the laid-back island of Miyajima, the craft town of Takayama and the city of Osaka. Prices start at £2,190 per person and include all accommodation and transport within Japan as well as a number of meals and private guiding in some areas. Indonesia Cox & Kings has introduced a 14day/11-night escorted group tour, Highlights of Indonesia. The tour starts in Java, visiting the Temple of Prambanan and Borobudur, the colonial towns of Surabaya and Malang, and Mount Bromo before heading to Bali, where clients will stay in Ubud, located among rice paddies in the central foothills of the Gianyar regency. Prices start at £2,995 per person. Also new is the enchanting Bali and Lombok 11-day/eight-night private tour priced from £2,145 per person. Included in the itinerary is a train journey across Java and the opportunity to watch the sunrise from Mount Borneo. Bales Worldwide has introduced a new tour of Indonesia The 17-day Java and Bali Uncovered All About The Far East
One of Singapore's USP’s is its ever-changing skyline.
is targeted at customers who want a truly exotic experience. It includes a full-day tour of Yogyakarta with a shadow puppet performance, dinner overlooking Prambanan temple, sunrise at Borobudur temple, a visit to the Dutch colonial city of Malang, sunrise at Mount. Bromo, dolphin watching in Bali, a visit to Pura Ulun Danu temple in Bali, a cycle ride through the Bali’s rice terraces and sunset at Tanah lot temple. Prices lead in at £2,895. Meanwhile, four new Terrace Tree Villas are set to open at the boutique Balinese resort of Alila Ubud this autumn. Set high above the Ayung river valley overlooking the alang alang plantations and rice paddies and positioned to capture the sunrise, the new villas feature an indoor and outdoor living experience with an al-fresco, wood-decked living area. The Spa Alila serves up home-grown Balinese treatments using the brand’s signature products, sourced and made from fresh, natural, organic ingredients on the island. The resort also offers a wealth of experiences, whether a trek through the rice terraces, exploring the region’s rich arts and crafts or discovering Bali’s colourful temple traditions. Prices start at £277 per night
North Korea Cox and Kings has introduced a new tour to North Korea. Fully escorted from Beijing, the North Korea Explorer tour visits the monuments of North Korea’s recent history as well as its natural scenery. The tour includes five days in the capital of Pyongyang, a day in Kaesong, a small city and former capital of Koryo Dynasty, a trip out to Lake Sijung, Mount Kumgang and Wonsan. Departures are set around annual festivals or celebrations such as Kim Jong Il’s Birthday and National Day, to enhance the visit and give as much of an insight into the lives of locals as possible. The 14-day/12-night tour leads in at £3,395 per person and includes three nights in Beijing as well as full board throughout the stay in North Korea. Mongolia Cox and Kings has enhanced its Land of Blue Sky group tour to Mongolia to allow visitors more time to interact with the local communities and learn some of their skills and traditions such as erecting a ger tent and participating in an archery competition. Sample product: the 14-day/11-night Land of Blue Sky group tour leads in at £2,945 per person and some departures have no single supplements. Prices include flights, transfers and guided excursions and accommodation with breakfast daily and some other meals.
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