FAR EAST CITIES & BEACHES
The countries that make up the Far East can be permed any which way to ensure a twin- centre holiday that offers the region’s two most sought-after holiday ‘types’ says Paul Oswell
TWO OF A KIND G
iven the ‘time-poor’ nature of travel these days, even long haul destinations such as those in the Far East are finding that
people no longer want to just camp down in one resort for an entire 10- or 14-day stay. After all, customers have already spent
upwards of 10 hours in the air so once they arrive in the region it makes sense for them to take in as many experiences as they feel comfortable with. The cities and beaches of Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Korea all now find themselves permed in myriad combinations as part of a twin- centre holiday, whether it’s two nights in Hong Kong and then onto Tioman Island in Malaysia, or a week lounging in Phuket, Thailand, before a shopping- based trip to Singapore. And the region is perfectly suited for
this kind of holiday, according to Dagmar Marrocco, Kuoni’s market manager for Thailand and Malaysia. “The Far East is ideal for this fusion of activity and relaxation as it offers so many different options from cultural sights, to adventure sports, to scenery, shopping and even food.”
46 February 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com Developments across the region are
proving a driving force for tourism, with record numbers of hotels being built. Among the biggest, Resorts World Sentosa has transformed Singapore into much more than a shopping stop- off – the destination can now combine city and resort holidays. The multi-billion pound development
on Sentosa Island has four new hotels, a Universal Studios theme park, a huge casino and theatres – in short, it’s a mini-Las Vegas in the east. The ongoing appeal of the region’s
major cities is being shored up by the arrival of prestigious hotel chains offering extraordinary value. For instance, this year will see the opening of the St Regis Bangkok, a five-star, 227-room property that reinforces the high-end product available in the Thai capital. The popularity of twin-centre holidays
has prompted countries in the region to co-operate and work together to provide better travel links. One such example is Korean Air, which recently expanded its routes between South Korea and Japan. Smaller, less traditionally mainstream countries are opening up and becoming
TOP SELLING TIPS...
Enquire if ‘young professionals’ visited as a backpacker. They may like to revisit – but staying in boutique hotels this time!
Suggest the city part of a twin-centre trip first, with the second leg relaxing at a beach resort
Excursions can be heavy on temple viewings, so check first with customers
Most Far East destinations have a rainy season
Shopping stops are sometimes best done on the way home to save carrying purchases
The watchword for families is ‘convenience'
viable twin-centre city and beach offerings. Just an hour by fast ferry from Hong Kong, Macau can now be combined with its neighbour to make a twin-centre option. There are also now direct flights into Macau from places such as Bangkok, Singapore and a number of cities in mainland China. Or for something a touch more adventurous, how about Bangkok combined with Taipei (Taiwan), a combination made viable by Eva Air? With European destinations offering
less value for money, an improved infrastructure and the seemingly unstoppable rise in property and resort developments happening in the Far East, the sheer choice and flexibility makes it the ideal time to sell the twin- centre option to first timers and veteran travellers alike. TAT has already supported a Thai
Airways agent fam trip to Western Australia travelling out via Bangkok and back via Phuket. Ritzeraynn Rashid, communications director at Tourism Malaysia said
Top left, Macau Fisherman's Wharf and, right, Singapore by night. Right, from top, the Sarojin in Khao Lak, Thailand, Vietnam and Bangkok
STB
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