FEATURE INDOCHINA
INSPIRED BY INDOCHINA One operator which epitomises the growth of IndoChina as a popular destination for UK visitors is Inspired by Asia, which has launched a dedicated IndoChina brochure. It’s a bold step from an operator that
is itself only just over a year old. The operation, which has the same backers as the long-established African Pride, is headed up by managing director Steve Johnson, who launched Inspired by Asia in December 2009. “We wanted to offer a destination in
the same way as African Pride do, and do it really well, tailor-made with good service and good prices. “There’s no call centre mentality. We
offer personal service so that when agents call they get through straight away to someone who has travelled extensively in the Far East. We try to turn quotes around the same day and we’re very competitive on price. "My 17 years with Travelmood
ensures that I can get very good contract rates and good tactical offers.” Steve Johnson has been delighted
What's New The newly launched hotel group EpiKurean opens An Lam Van Bay Villas this month (April), in remote Ninh Van Bay – 40 minutes by speedboat from Nha Trang. The resort has 35 secluded villas (beach or lagoon-front located), each with its own plunge pool and personal butler service. Bespoke private dining, a spa, water sports including scuba diving and excursions are provided. The Nam Hai Resort in Hoi An Vietnam has launched its own organic farm, which enhances its new cookery classes and children’s club activities. Buffalo Tours has a new itinerary
taking in Northern Vietnam’s Ha Giang, one of the last of the country’s provinces to open its doors to tourism. The four-day trek takes trekkers through several hill tribe villages with accommodation in homestays. It costs US$799pp, based on two people, including a return transfer from capital Hanoi, guide services, full- board and a porter for trekking. A series of new three and six-night rail
journeys aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express, entitled The Chronicles of Southeast Asia, includes Tales of Laos, a three-night round-trip from Bangkok through northeast Thailand and into Vientiane. The tour includes lunch at the Settha Palace Hotel in the capital. Voyages are limited to 60 guests (normal capacity is 132), accommodated in either Presidential or State cabins. Siem Reap resort The Sothea will be
rebranded the Alila Sothea, as the
company takes its first steps into Cambodia. The resort has four
categories of suites: 48 sqm deluxe suites
and 65 sqm Royal deluxe
suites, based on a studio concept, 90 sqm Queen suites with a day room, and King suites ranging from 110 to 140 metres in size, each with a private garden or balcony, library and in-suite spa with
L to R: 3 Nagas by Alila combines colonial elegance with traditional Laos hospitality; faces of Cambodia: Bayon Temple and locals in traditional Khmer dress; the cuisine is one of the most popular draw cards for Indochina.
Jacuzzi. Facilities include a spa, swimming pool, gym, two restaurants and lounge bar. The Sofitel Phnom Penh
Phokeethra opended on March 29, sporting 201 rooms and suites with river views. Facilities include a spa, two
swimming pools, a sports club and conferencing facilities. The eight eateries include Chinese, Japanese and Italian
restaurants, a chocolatiere, the Old World bar and two poolside venues.
Vietnam’s Life Resorts has launched the first of a series of Value Packages, 'Life &
Love’, which incorporates six nights accommodation with breakfast, at its properties in Hoi An, Quy Nhon and Mui Ne, as well as a candlelit dinner, a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates, for US$1000. Available from April 1 to
with the operator’s first year of business, which he says has exceeded targets by 10 per cent and already seen IndoChina making up 10 per cent of the destinations sold. “IndoChina is the fastest-growing sector for us and suits our style well. We want to say ‘yes’ to agents, whatever the request. Our ground handler in Indochina is Buffalo Tours – all its tours are private and its offices are based in the UK," he said. “We already have 70 agents using us
regularly and 90 per cent of our business is coming through agents. We pay a basic 12.5 per cent commission on packages and land-only. We’re also happy to arrange trips for agents at net cost and will contact hotels on their behalf to ask for extras.” As well as the dedicated IndoChina
brochure, Inspired by Asia also publishes a Far East brochure covering Thailand, Malaysia, Bali, IndoChina, Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Japan.
www.inspiredbyasia.co.uk
www.sellinglonghaul.com • April 2011 31
Selling Tip
Point cruise lovers to the growing choice of ships on the Mekong between Siem Reap and Vietnam
ALILA LUANG PRABANG
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