As travel come back with a vengeance, buyers at ASEAN Tourism Forum
2024 are eager to move away from the well-trodden paths to seek out
hidden, alternative experiences for their clients.
“In Laos, I’m looking for something off the beaten track, a real
experience with people from this place,” said Pierre Couture, President
and Director of Products of Les Sentiers du Monde from Canada, echoing
the sentiment of many buyers attending the ASEAN Tourism Forum.
Christian Knorr, who specialises in product management – special
groups Asia at Germany-based Gebeca, is keen to seek out travel
offerings with a sustainability bent. “I’ve already covered Vietnam and
Thailand, so ATF is a nice opportunity for me to see more of Laos and
Cambodia,” said Knorr, who is a first-time visitor to ATF.
Maria Margarita Nograles, COO of the Tourism Promotions Board
Philippines, prefers the term “hidden gems” to talk about the country’s
lesser-known destinations.
“We go into indigenous communities to do workshops with them,” she
says about the TPB’s community tourism programme. In the Cordillera
region, that translates into activities like dressing in local garb and
dancing in front of the stunning rice terraces. In Samal Island in the
southern Philippines, attractions include a brand-new MICE facility and
food-based CBT all around Mindanao.
Maria Margarita Nograles, COO, Tourism Promotions Board Philippines: “Our direction is showcase our hidden gems. With over 7461 islands, there is so much to discover in the Philippines. We are working double time to create these immersive experiences in our lesser-known destinations.” Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Chakrawooth Kaewjunthong
Every year, the Vietnam National Authority for Tourism (VNAT)
highlights one province in its Visit Vietnam year campaign, with events
in the region and around the country. This year, Visit Vietnam 2024
festivities will kick off in Dien Bien Province with the annual Ban
Flower Festival. Historically the province is famous as the site of the
Vietnamese victory over French colonisers in 1954, exactly 70 years ago
this year. Memorials, historical sites and museums will be at the centre
of commemorations this May.
Nguyen Thi Mai Hua, head of the Tourism Promotion Department of the
Dien Bien Tourism Promotion Information Center said that the province is
also home to 19 different ethnic groups, each with a rich culture of
its own. Add to that unique mountain produce and cuisine, the location
of Vietnam’s tri-point border with Laos and China at Khoan La San and
the natural beauty of this corner of northwest Vietnam, and you’ll find
many reasons to travel here.
Dien Bien Airport was upgraded in 2023 to allow A320-type aircraft to
land, making domestic connections easier. The airport also hopes to
attract international airlines and charters to the destination.
In Malaysia, the state of Perak is strategically located between the
tourism hotspots of Kuala Lumpur and Penang, and also has direct flights
from Singapore to the capital Ipoh. Zuraida Binti Mo Taib, COO of
Tourism Perak, is enthusiastic about her destination. “We have rail
tourism packages to explore the 19 districts,” she said. “The Perak
Mosque trail is popular with tourists from Europe.” She pointed to the
state’s theme parks, hot springs, historic towns of Taiping and Ipoh as
well as diverse local food as big draws.
Nithee Seeprae, Deputy Governor for Marketing Communication of the
Tourism Authority of Thailand, confirmed TAT’s efforts in the field as
well. “Udon Thani is a great destination for gastronomy adventures as it
has several restaurants acclaimed by Michelin Guide Thailand 2023,” he
said. “Chiang Rai is another charming emerging destination that is
outstanding with nature, local community, and art.”