Cambodian Travel Partner

 

The tourism sector has not just been hit hard, but suffered a massive hammer blow from the Covid19 crisis. In Cambodia, the borders have been completely closed to international tourists since the end of March. 

It is still uncertain when we will be able to receive tourists again. Unfortunately, this crisis has led to guides and drivers are out of work. Hotels, restaurants and companies that depend on the tourists are struggling daily, and sadly many have folded. Everyone is still unsure about exactly how long this will last. In Cambodia just over 300 people have been infected by the virus, no one in the ICU and thankfully there have been no fatalities to date. These are the official government figures which some still question, but the fact is that there is no overcrowding of the hospitals, or mass infections like we can see in many parts or Europe. We sometimes wonder if the side effects of the COVID measures taken may be times greater than the results of controlling the virus itself.
Whatever the final outcome of the Corona Virus is, and how long it will continue remains to be seen as, sadly, many places are still in its grip. What we do know, however, is that many thousands, tens of thousands of Cambodians have been thrown back into poverty. It is so distressing to see that many hard-working people with a bright future are struggling again and are at the mercy of government assistance. Many have been left behind with huge debts, no income and with all the consequences that entails.

Also our travel agency has also been hit hard. We paid our staff 100% for the first few months even though there was no work. Well, no new work, just cancelling bookings. After that we continued to pay half of the salaries and the staff only worked 2 days a week, mostly helping us with jobs in the garden. In August, sadly, with no more work to do, we were left with no choice but to lay off our staff. Luckily everyone found other work, and 1 staff member stayed with us because we can now also rent jeeps to Cambodians.

Despite all the misery, we are still positive about the future and we have been working hard to give our websites a new look.  New inspirations and ideas to create a dream holiday for people when the situation allows. We would love you to have a look and let us know what you think.
Please take a few minutes and explore:
cambodia-travelpartner.com and cambodiajeep.com

We firmly believe that there will come a time when it will be possible to travel again. Maybe in a different way, and perhaps being more aware of how people travel. For us, not much will change; it has been our motto from the very beginning to offer special, responsible, small scale tours in Cambodia. Individual trips in boutique hotels and, whenever possible, off the beaten track.

What could be nicer to dream of your new holiday in the dark days in which we now live in? We would love to put together a nice program for you now, without any obligations, and when the travel is possible again, we will put everything into action to create your dream holiday.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Here’s to creating new, happier memories in 2021!

Andre and Lily Ruys
 
Recommended by ASIAN TRAVEL NETWORK

All Travelers to Thailand Require Mandatory Health Insurance

  

 A consortium of 16 health insurance companies in Thailand are now offering all travellers to Thailand travellers the mandatory insurance cover valued at USD100,000.

Thailand’s Office of Insurance confirmed last week that it has set up a consortium of insurance companies offering Covid-19 insurance online. Above all as the country prepares to reopen its borders to travelers.

Once the country reopens all foreigners entering Thailand will need to buy Covid-19 insurance. But until the door reopens the scheme will make it easier for foreigners who are currently eligible to travel to Thailand to acquire the mandatory insurance cover online.

In addition to having insurance cover, travelers need to provide the nearest Thai embassy with a Fit to Fly Health Certificate and a negative  RT-PCR swab test valid within 72 hours of the flight departing for Thailand. They are issued with a certificate of entry when they have fulfilled all the conditions and have a confirmed flight date.
Covid-19 insurance policy covers both deaths due to the disease

They must also have an appropriate visa that fits the approved category of travel. Tourist visas for leisure travel are not being issued. The Covid-19 insurance policy covers both deaths due to the disease as well as medical expenses for those undergoing treatment.

In case of death caused by the Covid-19, the policy pays for funeral expenses and the repatriation of the corpse or ashes to the country of origin. The maximum payout is THB3.2 million.

For medical expenses linked to the treatment of Covid-19, including the period of hospitalization (inpatient or outpatient). The maximum payout is  THB3.2 million.

Foreigners who buy insurance cover as part of the requirements to fulfill conditions to travel to Thailand must pay the insurance premium according to the period of their stay from 30 days to a maximum of one year.

The premium is set against benchmarks that identify the Covid-19 risk in the country of origin; the lower the risk, the lower the premium.

Insurance premium cover starts at THB1,600  and can be as high as THB14,400 for low-risk countries. Foreigners from countries with moderate risk are likely to pay an insurance premium of between THB2,560  to THB23,040. If the traveller is from a high-risk country, the insurance premium could be as high as THB43,200.

Insurance companies participating in the scheme include:

Assets Insurance Co Ltd (Thailand); Chubb Insurance Company Limited ( Thailand ); Navakij Insurance Co Ltd;  Pacific Cross Health Insurance, Thailand );  Falcon Insurance Co Ltd (Thailand ); East Insurance, Asia Insurance 1950; Bangkok Life Assurance Ltd; Thailand Life Insurance; and also Thailand Life Insurance.

“Development of an insurance policy that provides protection for foreigners entering Thailand supports government policy and will help restore the economy of the country,” said the OIC secretary-general.

Source: TTR Weekly

#Thailand may hold a July Songkran event if Covid-19 situation remains stable

Thai citizens are being dangled a carrot – the chance to celebrate Songkran in July. Usually the annual water festival, traditionally the end of the dry season and the start of the wet season, is held on April 13. The event has become a big tourist magnet over the past decade as it’s morphed from traditional Buddhist festival into organised water fights in the streets of Bangkok and tourist towns.

This year it was cancelled as the country was busy being not busy; locked down in their homes instead of outside splashing water everywhere. But the government says they may still hold a Songkran festival in July instead IF the third phase of the easing of lockdown restrictions goes smoothly this month.

'Phase 3’ started rolling out yesterday and opens up just about everything excepting bars and pubs, and some other entertainment venues. 16 business types and leisure activities resumed yesterday. The curfew has also been reduced to 11pm to 3am daily.

Phuket seems to be trailing behind the rest of the country with a ban on its beaches and airport still in place.

CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin says the Government might declare special public holidays in July to celebrate Songkran. The festival, apart from all the water splashing, is the biggest family get-together of the year when people head back ‘up country’ for large family celebrations. The festival is also the most dangerous time on Thailand’s roads each year.

Dr. Taweesin says the CCSA will assess the results of phase three relaxations this month, adding that…”if the Covid-19 situation improves satisfactorily and people strictly observe the basic guidelines of social distancing, regular hand washing and face mask wearing, it might ask the Government to declare special public holidays in July”.

We’re not sure what “improves satisfactorily” means given that there have no recorded local transmutations of Covid-19 for over a week. All the latest cases are from Thais repatriating on specially organised charter flights from overseas whereby all arrivals must spend 14 days in supervised quarantine.

There is still a state of emergency in effect until at least the end of the June which provides Thai PM Prayut and his appointed committee in the CCSA sweeping powers to address the Covid-19 situation in Thailand without consulting parliament.

Source - The Thaiger

#Vietnam eyes tourism revival with select openings for foreign visitors

Vietnam’s tourism industry is preparing different plans to welcome foreign visitors from countries and territories that have contained the coronavirus pandemic.

Nguyen Trung Khanh, director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), said the industry is preparing plans to welcome visitors from countries and territories that have responded effectively to the pandemic.

Tourism officials will submit to the government a schedule for gradually easing visa restrictions and resuming some international flight routes, Khanh told VnExpress.

Though Vietnam's Covid-19 situation remains under control as the country has gone 36 days without any coronavirus cases caused by community transmission, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc late last week ordered to continue with tough measures to prevent infections from abroad.

Phuc, however, asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and submit to the government a reopening plan for international tourists.

More than a month after the government relaxed social distancing restrictions, Vietnam remains closed to foreign arrivals, with rare exceptions.

Reopening scenarios

Khanh said in case the pandemic is contained by September in some key source markets, VNAT will propose relaxing restrictions and the re-launching of promotions to attract visitors from these markets. "If this happens, Southeast and Northeast Asia will be the first markets to be targeted by VNAT’s promotion programs in the fourth quarter."

He said this would require a mechanism for mutual validation of medical control standards with other countries.

If the pandemic lasts until the end of the year, VNAT will consider other options, he added, without elaborating.

The tourism administration stated that it was preparing plans to welcome foreign tourists in anticipation of recovery and disease control in key markets like South Korea, mainland China, Japan, Taiwan and several ASEAN members.

Ken Atkinson, vice chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board, said the first countries to target could be Australia and New Zealand, which are responding well to the Covid-19 crisis.

"However, as China and Korea are our two biggest inbound source markets it is important to have plans in place to reopen travel from those markets as soon as it is safe," he said.

Atkinson told at a tourism meeting Thursday that Vietnam can consult Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand on opening separate resorts for foreign tourists to ensure their safety.

William Haandrikman, general manager of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, said Asian markets were likely to be the first to recover.

In the meantime, "we have had to re-invent ourselves to focus directly on the local domestic market as well as regional Asian markets," he noted.

Partial resumption of flights

At Thursday’s tourism meeting, local carriers Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways expressed their hopes of resuming international flights. The international tourist market accounts for around 50 percent of their revenues.

Earlier, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) had proposed a partial lifting of the suspension on international flights starting June 1, with limited frequency, giving priority to foreign experts and investors, while ensuring strict maintenance of anti-pandemic measures.

With an international flight ban in place, Vietnam saw a 38 percent year-on-year drop in the number of January-April foreign visitors to 3.7 million, accompanied by corresponding 45 percent drop in tourism revenues to VND7.9 trillion ($337 million).

Pandemic success model

Vietnam has garnered international praise as a "successful model" in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic and some media sections have promoted the country as "a safe destination post Covid-19 pandemic."

The country has led the way in protecting its citizens from the coronavirus, and not a single death has been reported, Matt Young, secretary of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AusCham), noted in an interview with Australian news channel 7News.

Young called on Australians to visit Vietnam when it’s possible, calling the country a safe, hospitable country with several stunning landscapes. "Tourism is very important for the economy and (Vietnam is) a beautiful country. It will be great to see Australians back in Vietnam," he said.

New York-based travel magazine Travel + Leisure included only Vietnam and the Philippines from Southeast Asia in a recent listing of 17 must-to-go destinations in the world after the Covid-19 crisis ends.

Survey results released earlier this month by Thailand-headquartered hospitality consulting group C9 Hotelworks and communication firm Delivering Asia Communications showed that nearly half of surveyed Chinese travelers said they plan to travel overseas during the remainder of 2020 if the pandemic is contained, and 45 percent of these said Vietnam would feature on their list.

While Vietnam is expected to become one of the first Southeast Asian nations to kickoff its economic revival, the continued ban on foreign visitors has prompted the local industry to focus on promoting domestic tourism.

A tourism promotion campaign called "Vietnamese People Travel in Vietnam" debuted last week, aiming to "introduce quality tourism products and service packages at reasonable prices."

The move puts Vietnam ahead of its regional tourism competitors such as Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, where travel restrictions are only starting to lift.

Vietnam's popular tourist destinations have reopened. The government has recently allowed most non-essential services except karaoke parlors and discos to resume operation.

The country's count of active Covid-19 cases has been 58 as 266 have recovered after treatment.

Source VN Express

#Cambodia - Battambang province shows off attractive tourism destinations

Tourists watch bats fly out of a cave in Phnom Sampov mountain, Battambang province.

 Well-known as an agricultural land, Battambang province has lured tourists both from Cambodia and overseas with its unique attractive spots – from ancient temples and other buildings to ecotourism.

Located some 300 kilometres north of Phnom Penh, the province is hosting this year’s annual river festival next month at which tourism products and services as well as locally made-products will be promoted widely.

More and more foreign tourists, particularly those from Western countries, have visited the province, viewinging the old buildings from the French colonial era, local people said.

As mentioned, ancient temples including Ek Phnom and Banan, as well as Phnom Sampov mountain, famed for its bat cave, are the most attractive spots for tourists, they said.

Soeun Ratha, owner of Holiday Guesthouse, located in Battambang town, said: “The number of foreign tourists visiting Battambang province has increased in recent years. Foreign tourists, mostly French, Spanish and Russian… like sightseeing the old buildings from French colonial era and their numbers keep increasing.”

Leaflets from the provincial tourism department of Battambang province show that among the tourism spots in the province is Prek Toal bird sanctuary on Tonle Sap lake.

Phoeung Than, a tourism police officer at Ek Phnom temple, said the number of foreign tourists is still not too many, but there are daily visitors from Cambodia and beyond, not in tour groups but as individuals.

He also said foreign tourists mostly stay in the province for a short while for an individual tour to explore the architecture styles of French-colony buildings and also to experience local people’s way of life, including agricultural practices.

Source - Khmer Times

Discovering #Pattaya City and Enjoy the Best Golf Club in Pattaya

Joining a golf club in Thailand will cost a lot less than a golf club membership in other parts of the world. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy extra benefits along with preferred tee times.

On your next holiday in Thailand, why not enjoy a golf club in Pattaya? Experience something different than just lazing on a beach during your next trip to Thailand.

Many airlines will not charge you extra for bringing your golf clubs on your flight with you. So there’s never any excuse to do without a round or two of golf when you’re on holiday. Experience the joy of teeing off in a tropical resort by the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. You’ll enjoy the sunshine and the soft breezes that blow in off the water.

Pattaya has many golf clubs around the city to choose from as well. A golfing holiday provides you with exercise, gets you out in the healthy sunshine, and gives you a chance to leisurely work on lowering your handicap.

Pattaya golf courses are of championship caliber. They’re well-maintained and offer a worthy challenge to the lowest scoring golf aficionados.

Annual Weather in Pattaya

There is really no bad time to experience a golf club in Pattaya. But the months between the end of October and the beginning of March offer balmy temperatures, cool and light breezes, days of sunshine, and low humidity. It’s the perfect time of year to tee up on one of the lush, tropical golf courses of Pattaya.

March and April offer hot and dry weather. But by renting a golf cart, you’ll scarcely notice the heat. You can also enjoy cold drinks out on the course while you play. Retire to the magnificent golf clubs after your round to enjoy more cold beverages and a deliciously prepared meal while you talk with your friends or family members about your day of golf in Thailand.

Between May and October, the rains come to Thailand. Yet it rarely for more than a couple of hours a day. Plus the well-maintained golf clubs of Pattaya are prepared for the annual rains. They are well-aerated, and the fairways and greens dry out quickly after it rains.

By checking out the local weather forecast before you schedule a tee time, you can avoid the rains entirely and play a round in the cooler weather that the rainy season also brings.

Become a Member of a Golf Club in Pattaya

If you frequently travel to Thailand on business, and are an avid golfer, becoming a member of a golf club in Pattaya is well worth doing. Entertain business colleagues and clients by treating them to a round of golf in one of the most beautiful areas in the world.

Joining a golf club in Thailand will cost a lot less than a golf club membership in other parts of the world. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy extra benefits along with preferred tee times. Hire the clubhouse catering facilities and venue to host a business event or even a private party for your friends and family. You’ll enjoy impeccable service and warm, Thai hospitality to put smiles on your guest’s faces.

A golf holiday in Pattaya, Thailand, is an excellent choice to make for business or just for pleasure.

Source - Chiang Rai Times

#Cambodia - Construction of new Phnom Penh airport on schedule

Construction of a new airport that will serve Phnom Penh is on track and could be completed as early as 2023, the developer said.

Pung Kheav Se, chairman of the Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation (OCIC), the company behind the project, said they are now building the foundations of the airport, conducting an environmental impact assessment, and negotiating with people affected by construction.

Mr Kheav Se was speaking to reporters yesterday at the Cambodia International Construction Industry Expo in Phnom Penh’s Diamond Island

Mr Kheav Se, a renowned investor and chairman of the Board of Directors of Canadia Bank, said, “We are now laying the foundations and building the runway. If there are no issues with the land, I believe that the airport will be ready by 2023.”

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OCIC has invested in numerous big projects in Cambodia, including Diamond Island Development City, Olympia City, and, most notably, Chroy Changvar Satellite City.

Sin Chansereyvutha, spokesman of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said the airport is not likely to be finished so soon.

“We need time to clear the land and lay the foundations and solve any land dispute. As per our schedule, the new airport will be ready by 2024, but it may be delayed until 2025,” he said.

Chrek Soknim, president of the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association, said the project is a significant achievement for the nation that will boost the economy.

“Once the new airport is finished, the real estate and construction sectors in Cambodia will attract more investors. The land around the airport has attracted a lot of investment already after it was chosen as the site of the new airport,” Mr Soknim said.

Source - Khmer Times

#Indonesia - Nusa Penida named best destination for backpackers to visit in 2020

Nusa Penida in Klungkung regency, Bali, has topped the list of 20 best destinations for backpackers to visit in 2020 released by Dublin-based online hostel reservation platform Hostelworld.

In the past 12 months, the number of bookings made by British tourists for accommodation in Nusa Penida increased by up to 610 percent, according to the company, confirming the region as the most popular destination among UK citizens during the period.

Located in the southeast part of Bali, Nusa Penida's Banjar Nyuh Port is reachable by speed boat from Sanur Port in Bali. Domestic and foreign tourists can be found enjoying a day trip there or spending at least one night on the island, which is especially famous for its Kelingking Beach, which boasts a Tyrannosaurus Rex-shaped cliff and is home to manta rays and Bali starlings, locally known as jalak Bali.

Regarding accommodation, Hostelworld said the island does not disappoint. "It’s a boutique hostel with gorgeous bungalows, a beautiful Bali-esque pool and outdoor social spaces where you can enjoy your free daily breakfast," reads the description on its website.

 

During their stay, holidaymakers can rent motorcycles or cars to explore the island, as reported by kompas.com

Following behind Nusa Penida on the best backpacker destination list based on the biggest growth in bookings were Surat Thani in Thailand and Maribor in Slovenia. 

 

Source - TheJakartaPost

There’s never been so many tourists coming to #Singapore

It’s almost like a sequel to “Crazy Rich Asians.”

A year after the movie -- set in Singapore -- helped drive a record number of visitors to the city-state, the tourists are back again in full force, pushing arrivals to a new high in the third quarter.

About 5 million travelers came to the island between July and September, led by visitors from Greater China, which jumped 22%, according to data from Singapore Tourism Board’s website. The previous quarterly record was 4.83 million set in the same period a year earlier.

The surge in tourists also coincided with the reopening of the city’s grand dame, Raffles Hotel. The 132-year-old iconic hotel -- the birth place of the “Singapore Sling” -- opened after an extensive renovation.

Singapore, which competes with Hong Kong for conferences, is also benefitting from the North Asian city’s weekly pro-democracy protests that started in June. As the demonstrations turned increasingly violent, some conferences, such as the Global Wellness Summit, moved their events to the island republic.

The unrest in Hong Kong has prompted businesses to relocate events and major meetings to locations in Singapore as well as neighboring countries such as Thailand, according to hotel-industry billionaire William Heinecke.

The outlook for 2020 looks bright too with a robust line up of events such as Singapore Airshow, Food & Hotel Asia conference and Gamescom Asia, according to a report published by DBS Bank Ltd. in October.

Among the island’s biggest events in the third quarter was the Formula One night race in the city center, known for its line up of musical performances that included the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Gwen Stefani this year.

U2 also rocked Singapore for the first time this weekend. The band played the first of two shows on Saturday night to a packed crowd at the National Stadium, ripping through hits including “Where The Streets Have No Name” and “Vertigo.“ The gigs were part of the group’s Joshua Tree 2019 tour through Asia.

It’s a “sci-fi city,” frontman Bono told the crowd, pointing to the country’s diversity.

 

Source - TheJakartaPost

#Myanmar (Burma) Road trip to Dawei Venturing south on a 4 day break

Coming from a conservative and risk-adverse family, it took some convincing to push my relatives to join me on a journey to Dawei. For the Thadingyut festival, the office generously allowed us to take 2 days on top of the weekend. As you surely know, journalists are always busy, and 4 days was the longest holiday I could secure since Thingyan.
After a little negotiating with my boss – it was settled! I would take my family on a journey to the southern capital of Dawei, known as “the clean city”.

Driving to Dawei from Yangon takes nearly 12 hours by road. To cut the journey in two and make it more bearable, especially on my mother, aunt and uncle (my brother can handle it), we left Yangon at 7am and made a first stop in Mawlamyein. As we arrived in the afternoon, we enjoyed a barbeque on the famous Strand Road bordering the Salween River.

Mawlamyein’s Strand Road is ideal for evening strollers. Colorful boats and seagulls flying low bring to the place a relaxing atmosphere. Along the arterial road, there are several beer stations and restaurants. In the evening, most outdoor tables are taken. Dinning here is delightful, with fresh seafood available in most restaurants. It’s a beautiful location, if only for the littering. I nonetheless enjoyed the view of the river while chewing on some tender grilled prawns.

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The road to Dawei

The following day, we left the hotel early to make our way to Dawei. Before leaving though, we enjoyed a Hpa Auk mohinga, the specialty of Hpa Auk, a village nearing Mawlamyein. The hand-pulled noodles were extremely tender and the fish soup was naturally sweet.

It then took us 4 hours to drive to Ye, Mon State, about halfway between Mawlamyein and Dawei. One of the most beautiful landscapes remains the Ma Hlwe Mountain that stretches across Ye town betwixt Mon State and the Tanintharyi region. As we drove closer to the mountain, and the closer we got to Ye, the smoother the roads became. 

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With the Mountains looming in the distance, driving along the smooth-tarred roads out of the city was quite an amazing feeling. We all imagined driving in San Franscisco, on hilly roads between mountains and the sea. We drove mighty fast.

Ma Hlwe Mountain, part of Tenasserim Hills, was captivating. Unlike mountains in Shan State where trees are chopped down, Ma Hlwe Mountain still hosts a pristine canopy.

As we continued along our journey, we observed by the window the lighting up of candles on the side of the road to celebrate Thadingyut. At one point, we passed a shady bridge replacing a larger bridge which had been destroyed by the floods last August.

When in Dawei

Night fell and the towns fell asleep. There were no street lights to light the forested, curved roads. Cars became sparse. Excitement was still bubbling up inside me. Reaching Dawei around 9pm, we still had some roads ahead of us. The only hotel we could book was located on Maungmagan beach as most hotels in town were fully booked for the festival. As fate would have it, the road heading to Maungmagan beach was blocked by pilgrims on their motorcycles and cars, celebrating the festival. Women wore their most beautiful dresses as small alms bowls for the monks were laid on a table. The bowls contained flowers, candles and other offerings.

We all hoped to join the festival, famous for its boatmen pushing floating bowls down the Dawei River at dawn. However, we were all exhausted and rushed to our hotel.

The Colourful Village restaurant may be quite small but it is rather fancy. We stayed in bamboo lodges by the beach.

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Early next morning I took a stroll along the beach. It was crowded from all the tourists from upper Myanmar, unfortunately leaving trashes and empty bottles on the otherwise pristine sand.

Before noon, to avoid the heat, we visited Mhaw Yit pagoda, a 15-minute drive from Maungmagan beach. The pagoda is built on an island and boasts golden stupas. Surrounded by paradise-like nature and shrouded in quiet and piece, the pagoda watches proudly over the beach.

As it was Sunday, and as my family is religious, we visited Our Lady of Sorrow Church located on U Kyaw Yin Road. The road is named after U Kyaw Yin, also known as Mee-Bone-Pyan-U Kyaw Yin (1873-1939) who created and flew hot air balloons. The church itself was gorgeous. The teak building was built 150 years ago.

As the day passed, we eventually returned to our hotel as we had two days of road to get back to Yangon. From this trip, I will remember Dawei for its incredible nature and religious sites as well as for the hospitality of the residents. 

Source - MM Times

#Vietnamese beaches tipped by travelers among best in Asia

#Vietnamese beaches tipped by travelers among best in #Asia: Glistening sands along the country’s central coast have made it onto TripAdvisor’s top 25 beaches on the continent.

Travelers have named two of Vietnam’s beaches among the best in Asia in a recent survey conducted by global travel site TripAdvisor.

Non Nuoc in Da Nang in central Vietnam came in at number 10 on the top 25 beaches in Asia in TripAdvisor’s 2018 Traveler's Choice Awards. An Bang in Hoi An, the ancient town just up the road, claimed 25th position.

 Many travelers said that they had fallen in love with Non Nuoc’s fine white sands and crystal clear waters.

“The sand is so clean and fine my three young kids were able to play on the beach all afternoon bare foot without getting hurt,” said a tourist from Canada.

Although the beach is one of the top attractions in Da Nang, many described how surprised they were to find it so “calm and quiet”.

Some also said that the best time to catch the beach is at sunrise or when the fishermen are setting out to sea.

An Bang, which also made the top 25 last year, also gives visitors the chance to indulge themselves in the simple fishing life, where children gather every sunset to play with kites or just collect shells while they wait for their parents to return from the sea.

For most tourists, An Bang is simply “a beautiful beach”. Some say it’s the most beautiful in Vietnam, with white sands stretching down the coast, a cool breeze and a great selection of restaurants.

The best time to visit An Bang is between May and September, and Non Nuoc between February and August, the tourists recommended.

Thailand proved to be the most popular beach destination in the region with five beaches making it into TripAdvisor’s top 25 list.

Source - BangkokJack

Airbnb shares research and best practices for Thailand’s short-term rental industry

Airbnb has today released its proposed regulatory principles for short-term accommodation which would support the Thai Government’s objectives of making Thailand the premier tourist destination in Asia and one of the top tourist destinations globally.

Driven by a desire for more local, unique and authentic travel experiences, the Airbnb community in Thailand continues to grow from strength to strength. Local hospitality entrepreneurs are choosing Airbnb to earn extra income or grow their business giving guests the choice to stay in boutique hotels, vacation rentals or local homes. By helping attract and host more guests, the Airbnb community is growing and diversifying Thai tourism.

Following positive meetings with multiple government departments and industry stakeholders, Airbnb has put forward suggested regulatory principles for short-term accommodation in Thailand. These principles would support local priorities and reflect Thailand’s unique needs, and are consistent with best practices for regulating short-term accommodation regionally and globally.

 

The regulatory principles also reflect latest research, conducted by Expedition Strategies in late 2018, which found 88% of Thai people would support residents in their neighborhoods sharing their homes, 89% would consider using short-term accommodation in the future and 84% believe short-term accommodation is good for communities because it will bring tourists to more areas where they will spend money.

Airbnb’s proposed regulatory principles include:

• Simple and online national-level registration – A simple, swift and online registration system for short-term accommodation to ensure compliance and promote high safety standards.
• Differentiated regulation – A differentiated – rather than one-size-fits-all – approach to regulation which distinguishes between the various types of short-term accommodation activity. For example, regulations should differentiate between someone sharing a room in their home, their own home occasionally or someone with a vacation rental for full commercial purpose.
• Industry-wide approach – There should be an industry-wide approach to regulation and close cooperation between all industry participants and regulators in implementing regulations.
• Tough but fair rules for bad behaviour – The overwhelming majority of hosts and guests are good neighbours and respectful travelers, but there should be penalties that target extremely rare instances of bad behavior.

“Airbnb wants to be a good and responsible partner to Government and do what we can to help Thailand achieve its tourism objectives. Already, our local community is helping grow and diversify the Thai tourism industry and spread the benefits of tourism to local communities across the country, particularly those in emerging destinations like Buriram,” Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy for Southeast Asia Mich Goh said.

 “For some time, we have listened to local authorities and sought to better understand their priorities. We appreciate the balanced and forward-looking approach the Thai Government has considered to take in developing a modern regulatory framework for short-term accommodation.”

“We respectfully believe the regulatory principles for short-term accommodation we have put forward support the Government’s objectives and strike the right balance. We look forward to continuing to work constructively with the Thai Government to develop regulation that would work in Thailand.

”Earlier this year, Airbnb released new data which found the local host and guest community generated over $33.8 billion baht in estimated direct economic impact in Thailand in 2018, and on average Airbnb guests say 46% of their spending occurs in the neighbourhoods where they stay.

Airbnb is also supporting the growth of emerging destinations in Thailand. In 2018, the number of Airbnb guest arrivals visiting emerging destinations in Thailand grew by 53% year-on-year. Recently, Airbnb launched a new campaign, Sustainable Travel with Airbnb: Beyond Big Cities” to promote emerging destinations such as Buriram.

Source - The Thaiger

#Cambodia plans Da Nang flight to boost tourism with #Vietnam

Prime Minister Hun Sen last week said a soon-to-begin direct flight between Phnom Penh and Da Nang, in central Vietnam, will boost the number of Vietnamese visitors to the Kingdom.

Speaking during a business forum during a two-day visit to Vietnam, Mr Hun Sen said the new fight, which will be operated by Cambodia’s national flag carrier, will play an important role in attracting more tourists from Vietnam.

“Vietnam continues to be the second-largest tourist market for Cambodia, and we expect to see more and more Vietnamese tourists choosing Cambodia as their holiday destination,” he said.

He said the Kingdom welcomed about 470,000 Vietnamese tourists during the first seven months of the year, an increase of 4.6 percent over the corresponding period last year.

Cambodia Angkor Air, the national flag carrier, recently announced that its Phnom Penh-Da Nang route will launch on Oct 27. Phnom Penh will become the second city, after Siem Reap, that the airline connects with Da Nang.

Mr Hun Sen said the new flight is a welcomed addition to the existing 112 flights that connect Cambodia and Vietnam every week.

Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, noted the number of Vietnamese tourists is on the rise.

“The flight will not only bring in more Vietnamese tourists. Foreign tourists that visit Da Nang now also have the opportunity to board a plane and travel directly to Phnom Penh,” she said.

Tourism Minister Thong Khon recently urged airlines in Vietnam to increase the number and frequency of flights to Cambodia, particularly to Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and the coastal areas. He said that at least 15 percent of Vietnamese tourists prefer air travel.

The minister noted that Cambodia aims to attract about one million Vietnamese tourists a year by 2020. Currently, about 900,000 Vietnamese tourists visit Cambodia every year.

Cambodia and Vietnam have also agreed to cooperate on marine tourism once the new seaport in Kampot province is completed, which is expected to happen in 2021.

Mr Khon said marine tourism cooperation is an effective mechanism to boost cooperation among Asean countries.

According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Tourism, from January to July, Cambodia welcomed 1,154,786 visitors from Asean countries, a 5 percent hike compared to the same period last year.

Source - Khmer Times

Nationals of six more countries granted visa-on-arrival into #Myanmar (Burma)

The Myanmar government has introduced new regulations to facilitate easier access for foreign tourists as another step towards opening up the country to the world . 

 

Started from October 1, tourists from six countries (Australia, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain and Switzerland) can enter Myanmar on visa-on-arrival (VOA) at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw International Airports.

Pre-arrangement is not required for passport holders of these six countries, they can simply apply for a visa 

at any of the three airports for a fee of US$50 each. 

Visitors from Japan, South Korean, Hong Kong and Macau were granted visa-free entry last year.

Indian and mainland Chinese nationals were also granted visas-on-arrival (VOA) into Myanmar in a move to draw more Asian visitors to the country.

In the second quarter, Myanmar saw an increase in arrivals from countries granted visas free and visas-on-arrival treatment. 

"We hope the new regulation will lead to more foreign travellers to Myanmar, to discover the country's unique culture and most of all, the hospitality of its people," said May Myat Mon Win, Chairperson of Myanmar Tourism Marketing.

Myanmar Tourism Marketing has organised roadshows, trade shows and media familiarisation trips for journalists, TV producers and digital marketing influencers from around the world. 

Visa-free and visa on arrival entry from these Western countries would further boost growth of the Myanmar tourism industry.

Source - The Nation

Micro-adventures in #Myanmar (Burma)

The wish to travel seems to me characteristically human: the desire to move, to satisfy your curiosity or ease your fears, to change the circumstances of your life, to be a stranger, to make a friend, to experience an exotic landscape, to risk the unknown.’ 

This country is broad and the whisper of adventure smiles coyly around most corners. Weather and politics gets in the way of travelling to many parts of the country but much of it, with a little pluck and planning, remains ripe for exploration …

 Nagaland

Even in the times of British-rule it was difficult to secure a travel permit into Nagaland, so it was naturally greeted with excitement by travelers in Myanmar when the need for such permits disappeared altogether. 

Caught between advancing British imperialism and ambitious Burmese kings, the Naga fostered a ferocious reputation as they fought to keep their autonomy. By brute force they were eventually subsumed into the British Empire. Years later, to great effect they acted as guides and scouts to the Allied Forces during the Second World War, coming to be seen by some as not savage headhunters but “extremely lovable.”

Today’s Naga Self-Administered Zone in Myanmar is a strip of land along the Indian border, with the administrative capital in Lahe, with some adventurous tourists in Myanmar making it to Lay Shi. The bold may wish to rent motorbikes; all should travel with a guide. 

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Mawlaik

Recently Sampan Travel journeyed down the Chindwin River to Mawlaik. Today, it is not a town that crops up much in the newspapers nor holiday brochures however in times past it was an administrative centre of great import.

The town is peppered with colonial-era mansions, standing vacant and empty. It was also once the point at which many refugees from Yangon fled towards the Indian border as the Japanese Imperial Army invaded Burma.

British teacher U Thant Zin, a local celebrity, can still remember – and is keen to recount to those interested – of the Japanese soldiers who later committed suicide in the town as the British were returning, and the local boys who played football with their heads in the street.

A good spot for mindless wandering and settling down into tea shops. We don’t recommend the golf course. 

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On the Chindwin.

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 The Eng

Kyaing Tong sits in the midst of the Golden Triangle - where Myanmar meets the borders of Laos, Thailand, and China. Here it is possible to hike through fields that were not so long ago growing poppies, meeting some of the most diverse array of Myanmar ethnicities.

One of the most interesting is the Eng.

In the Eng village you will encounter errant children with pierced ears, a trusty slingshot in one hand, and wearing – if anything at all – the traditional black costume of their tribe. Their parents will likely be off working in the fields, but you can sit a while with the grandparents, many of whom will have painted their teeth black.

For a while after you leave the village the crackle and snap of twigs in the underbrush either side of the trekking track behind you will signal that you are being granted a clandestine escort out of Eng territory.

Mawlu & Henu

History wonks may travel up to Kachin State and across to Indawgyi where ‘Red Shan’ villagers on the banks of Myanmar’s largest lake may point to the place where fighter planes crashed during the Second World War.

On the way to or from Indawgyi it is worth visiting the nearby villages of Mawlu and Henu where during the Second World War, “Mad Mike” Calvert, after being parachuted in behind enemy lines, set up the Chindits base “White City.” 

Near Mawlu you can also see the field used as a landing strip and a commemorative plaque on “Pagoda Hill”. There is also here a small Chindits museum. It was here that the Calvert’s Chindits made a surprise attack on a troop of Imperial Japanese soldiers and, in Mad Mike’s own words:

 “…at the top of the hill, about fifty yards square, an extraordinary melee took place, everyone shooting, bayoneting, kicking at everyone else, rather like an officer’s guest night.”

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Ye

A few hours drive south of Mawlamyine is the little town of Ye, which is as delectable and charming as its name suggests. Here is an adventure for the faint-hearted.

At Ye there is a lake which can take be circumnavigated at a meandering pace in about an hour, stopping to sit at one of the wonky “lovers’ benches” or take a cup of sweet Myanmar tea under the willows.

A walkway leads out into the centre of the lake. From here you can drop titbits into the water and watch as a writhing mass of pake fish emerge, their mouths moronic and gaping and cavernous.

For others, it may be adventure enough to slip into one of the off-piste beer stations, or sit and watch the world go by under the chinthe that guard the entrance to the central pagoda, painted in a rich scarlet. 

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Source - MM Times

#Vietnam - Explore Ha Long, the land of 'descending dragons'

Tour guide Pham Huy Trung's photographs offer a glimpse of the unique charm of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO natural heritage site in northern Vietnam. 

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At around 3 a.m. fishing boats gather at a wharf in Ha Long Bay, adjacent to Hon Gai seafood market, after a long night out at sea. The wholesale market is open from early morning until 10 a.m., but its busiest time is between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. when traders rush to buy the freshest fish.

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Rocky islets amid mist at 6:30 a.m.

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 The bay in Ha Long, which literally means "descending dragons," was formed by millions of years of geological activity, which created thousands of islets. It became a fixture on the world tourism map after being recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1994.

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.A boat on the emerald green waters surrounded by limestone karst.

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 While hordes of people come to explore the majestic beauty of the bay, not many know about the legend and mystery associated with it.

Legend has it that in the earliest days of the nation Vietnamese had to fight off hostile invaders attempting to enter through the sea. The Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and her children to help the Vietnamese defeat their enemies.

The mother dragon and her children incinerated the enemies with their fire and emeralds, which scattered around the sea, creating an impassable barrier which sank the enemy’s battle fleet. Finally the invaders were repelled, and peace returned to the country. When the battle ended, the dragons did not return to heaven and instead decided to stay there.

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 Besides luxury cruise ships, visitors can see the image of fishermen sailing on small boats to earn a daily living in Ha Long. Tour boats often stop at floating houses for visitors to get a glimpse of how the fishermen live. 

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Most of the islets in Ha Long Bay are uninhabited; many of them are inaccessible to human visitors due to their sheer limestone cliffs.

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British travel magazine Rough Guides last month listed Ha Long Bay as one of the 100 most beautiful places to visit next year.

In the "The Rough Guides to the 100 Best Places on Earth," it describes "the scattering of limestone pinnacles jutting out of the smooth waters of Ha Long Bay," around four hours east of Hanoi, as an "incredible sight."

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 An overnight cruise trip has been recommended as a "must-try" travel experience in Asia by  the U.S. news site Business Insider.

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Source - VN EXPRESS

#Booking.com offers options for a ‘sneeze-free’ vacation

 Booking.com, a global leader in connecting travellers to a wide choice of places to stay, is delving into its more than 29 million listings in over 153,000 destinations to come up with six destinations where people can have a “sneeze-free” vacation.

 Gran Canaria in Spain, which enjoys sunshine all year round, is a haven for travellers who suffer from hay fever as it has a very low pollen count. You can book a stay at B’SLOW San Agustin aparthotel, which offers picturesque views of the nearby Las Burras Beach.

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 Or you can go for a cooler option and a breath of fresh air at Coronet Peak in New Zealand. Pollen cannot survive in snowy weather. One of the nicest places to stay is the Canyons B&B, which boasts sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, the Shotover River and Coronet Peak.

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 If you plan to go to the US, you might consider Colorado Springs. In the summer and autumn months, especially July and October, the dry, desert-like surroundings contain few plants, allowing you to clear your head and give your itchy eyes a break. Breathe in crisp mountain air as you embark on a hike and take in popular sites and surroundings such as Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak and the Broadmoor Seven Falls.
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Offering stunning views of the Cheyenne Mountain, Cheyenne Mountain Resort Colorado Springs, A Dolce Resort boasts five swimming pools, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a 25-acre lake for sailing and a full-service spa.
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 For fresh Alpine air, you can head north to Whistler, British Columbia – a paradise for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts and home to Whistler Blackcombe, one of the largest ski resorts in North America.

Whistler Mountain typically stays open for skiing and snowboarding until late May. If you’re looking to swap your snow boots for hiking boots, popular hiking trails include Lakeside Park, Cheakamus Lake and the Ancient Cedars Trail.

The place to stay is Whistler Lodge Hostel, which offers affordable accommodation in an ideal location.

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 Meanwhile, the heavy rainfall, short pollen season and few trees in the Scottish Highlands can provide a retreat for travellers suffering from hay fever. The surrounding moorlands and mountain terrain also provide respite as the vegetation is relatively free of allergens.
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  The place to stay is the Air an Oir – Skye Self Catering holiday home in Portree, which offers stunning sea views and a revitalising breeze of salty fresh air. During your stay visit the quaint Portree Harbour and marvel at the famed rugged landscapes with a hike across Lealt Falls.
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Source - The Nation

Mekong Jewel: Another ‘super ship’ to ply the Mekong River

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, a United States-based international cruise line, will soon launch another river cruise ship that will ply the waters between Cambodia and Vietnam.

As reported in ‘World of Cruising’, Mekong Jewel, which is among four “super ships” that Uniworld will launch next year, will ferry passengers between the two countries starting January 3 next year.

Mekong Jewel will replace its sister ship, Mekong Navigator, which has been in operation in the Mekong since 2017. The Mekong Navigator, which can carry 68 passengers, is famous for a design that mirrors that of manors that lined Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) during the French colonial era.

According to an article in ‘Cruise Critic’, Uniworld CEO Ellen Bettridege said the company is putting the best ships out there. “Our ships are absolutely unique and, like a boutique hotel, reflect the destinations they serve, from decor and artwork to food, beverage, and programming,” she said.

“We look forward to making our high-caliber service and personalisation in these remarkable destinations even better,” she added.

Mekong Jewel will traverse the Mekong from its homeport in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Mekong Jewel’s 13-day itinerary brings it from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap in Cambodia, with stops in Phnom Penh and other tourist destinations in both countries, including the world-famous Angkor Wat.

Kampong Cham and several river towns in Vietnam like Vinh Long and Cai Be, where Mekong Navigator used to make stops, could also be part of the itinerary.

 According to the official website of Uniworld, Mekong Jewel can carry 68 passengers and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including suite accommodation, an indoor swimming pool, an alfresco eatery, sauna, gym, library, and two lounges.

The ship is made out of eco-friendly materials.

A part of The Travel Corporation (TTC), Uniworld operates a fleet of more than 20 river cruise ships across the globe, including Europe, Russia, and China.

Source - Khmer Times

Jump in domestic tourists to Thailand’s west during rainy season: study

Thailand’s rainy season is typically associated with travel to the western region, where nature becomes its most beautiful during the period. 

 

Despite the weather, new data from Hotels.com has revealed a 26-per-cent jump in searches among Thai travelers for accommodation in the Western region from 2018 to 2019.

According to search data from Hotels.com, local searches for hotels located in Thailand’s western region, including Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Tak and Prachuap Khiri Khan, increased by 26 per cent during May to September 2019, compared with the same period of last year. 

Perhaps surprising to some, the most desired province for Thai tourists in the Western region this year during the rainy season is Ratchaburi – which experienced an 83-per-cent rise in searches for overnight accommodation in 2019. 

Other Western provinces experiencing an increase in search volume included Phetchaburi (31 per cent), Tak (19 per cent) and Prachuap Khiri Khan (18 per cent).

“The data indicates a positive, upward trend in travel to Thailand’s Western region, especially during the rainy season. Come rain or shine, locals are still willing to travel to great lengths to explore regions with natural, untouched beauty for truly rewarding experiences,” Jessica 

 Chuang, the Hotels.com regional marketing director for Greater China, Southeast Asia and India, said. 

“With a wide range of accommodation options, [the brand] aims to provide more inspiration and opportunity for travellers to stay in hotels they never knew existed – whether they are in the forest, the jungle or even up a mountain!” she said.

Source The Nation

 

Surge of Thai visitors lifts Da Nang hopes for tourism market diversity

 Da Nang, which wants to reduce its dependence on Chinese and South Korean tourists, is seeing a jump in the number of Thai visitors.

With 60 weekly flights connecting Vietnam’s third largest city with major Thai destinations, the number of Thai arrivals to Da Nang quadrupled year-on-year in the first seven months of this year to almost 107,000.

Thais accounted for 6 percent of Da Nang's total foreign arrivals, becoming the third largest group after South Koreans (1 million, making up 57 percent) and Chinese (500,000 or 26 percent), according to the city’s tourism department.

Domestic and foreign carriers, betting on this trend, have been racing to launch more flights. Vietnamese budget carrier Vietjet Air last year launched flights from Da Nang to Bangkok. In April Malaysian-owned budget airline Thai AirAsia began a daily service from Chiang Mai to Da Nang.

Da Nang is a major economy-tourism hub that attracts many foreign visitors, including Thai tourists, all year round, Santisuk Khlongchaiya, head of Thai AirAsia’s commercial operations, said.

 From Da Nang, tourists can easily travel to world-renowned destinations such as Hoi An, Hue and My Son, he added.

Da Nang, home to Asia’s most beautiful beach, My Khe, in the central region and next door to the UNESCO heritage site Hoi An, an ancien town, has long been a favorite for South Korean and Chinese visitors.

However, its heavy dependence on the two markets poses a risk, city tourism officials said.

"The Chinese market is volatile due to political and economic reasons," Truong Hong Hanh, Deputy Director of the city Tourism Department, said.

"The surge in number of Chinese arrivals also presents numerous challenges for the Vietnamese government such as ‘zero dollar tours,’ the use of Chinese electronic wallets such as WeChat Pay and AliPay and illegal payment devices at travel hotspots frequented by Chinese tourists that could circumvent Vietnam’s banking system and national regulations, leading to loss of tax revenues and other potential problems."

Meanwhile, the overseas travel trend of South Korean tourists is "very changeable", Hanh added.

Da Nang tourism authorities said they were therefore looking at diversifying the tourism market away from Chinese and South Koreans by working with airlines to launch more flights to and from other markets.

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Tourists enjoy the blue sea in Da Nang in central Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong.

Indonesia’s Sriwijaya Air is expected to begin services between Jakarta and Da Nang, while Cambodia’s Angkor Air is set to launch flights from Phnom Penh and Vientiane, both by year-end.

City authorities also s  aid they are striving to attract more Middle Eastern visitors, whose spending is higher than that of other Asians and Europeans.

Last year Qatar Airways began flying from the Qatari capital Doha to Da Nang.

The city's foreign arrivals in January-July was 1.9 million, up 11.2 percent year-on-year, with some of the biggest source markets posting huge growth. The number of visitors from Taiwan increased by 86 percent, while it was 81.5 percent for Germany, 79 percent for India, 70 percent for Malaysia, 68 percent for France, and 53 percent for Singapore.

Da Nang, which has won global attention with its annual international fireworks competitions in June-July and its spectacular Golden Bridge, has been improving its transport, healthcare, commercial, and services infrastructure to cope with the rising number of tourists.

Images of the two giant hands holding up the 150 meters long Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills have gone viral since its launch in June last year.

The New York Times earlier this year included the city in its 52 best places to visit in 2019 while Australian travel website Finder listed it among 10 trending global destinations this year.

Last year Da Nang received 7.6 million visitors, 2.87 million of them foreigners, a 23.3 percent increase year-on-year.

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Source - VN Express