Welcome to our ‘Experience Asia’ Newsletter for August 2023
Please read below for details about product and hotel news in our destinations
Experience Asia News / ‘Our Green and Sustainable Travel’ initiatives
‘Experience Asia’ recognises the value of ‘sustainable travel’, so we have the following initiatives in place for our guests:
– We encourage eco-friendly activities in Thailand such as bike tours, kayaking and hiking
– We arrange voluntourism projects in Northern Thai villages
– We promote ethical homestays in Krabi, Chiang Mai and North-East Thailand
– We do not promote elephant-riding or animal shows for our guests
– We offer opportunities for Elephant sponsorship in Northern Thailand
– We invite our guests to plant trees in northern Thailand
– Travel documents provided to tourists are recycled as much as possible
Popular Thailand Experience / ‘Self-Drive Tuk-Tuk Experience’ Chiang Mai
One of our most popular day tours in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand
Get behind the wheel of your very own Tuk Tuk and head off in convoy with fellow travellers and superb local guides to explore a corner of Thailand few travellers see. By driving your own Tuk Tuk, you’ll get all the excitement of driving Thailand’s most iconic vehicle on some of the most beautiful roads in the country. Some of the highlights are visiting a remote temple, meeting elephants at a private home and a bamboo raft experience down the river.
https://www.thetuktukclub.com/tuk-tuk-adventures/
Thailand’s Quirky Floating Hotels
‘500 Rai Floating Resort’ / ‘Khao Sok National Park’ Southern Thailand
Located in Khao Sok National Park, ‘500 Rai’ is ideal for those wanting to get back to nature.
The resort prides itself on sustainable tourism and the traditional Thai ‘floating’ bungalows are designed to blend in with the natural environment. The area is rich in wildlife and it is possible to spot monkeys, bison, and hornbills in the lush forest, from your canoe
‘The Float House’ / River Kwai
One of our favourite hotels is the ‘The Float House River Kwai’, a beautiful boutique resort surrounded by lush jungle. Each luxurious and spacious floating villa is totally private and rich in custom tailored-made teakwood furniture with thatched roofing.
The ‘River Kwai Float House’ is just a 3 hours journey from Bangkok, and a great experience
https://www.thefloathouseriverkwai.com/
‘Bangkok Tree House’ / Bangkok
Who would have thought that a big city actually offers a floating hotel? But this is Bangkok and anything is possible. ‘Bangkok Tree House’ offers stylish rooms alongside the ‘Chao Phraya River’ with superb facilities. Guests can actually sleep right on the river by taking advantage of the ‘River Nest’, a floating inflatable mattress!
https://www.bangkoktreehouse.com/
‘Blue Sky Resort’ / ‘Koh Phayam Island’ Southern Thailand
The ‘Blue Sky Resort’ is definitely one of the most beautiful floating hotels in Thailand. Set among a mangrove forest, the resort is located on ‘Koh Phayam island’. This 4-star resort as offers luxurious villas along with panoramic sea views. Clearly its designer had the Maldives in mind, as the thatched roofs on every room bring an exotic feel to the resort.
https://www.theblueskyresort.com/payam/
Vietnam News / Relaxing of ‘E-Visa’ Requirements
Vietnam has relaxed its e-visa requirements opening the service to citizens of all countries and territories effective 15 August 2023, with the stay extended from 30 to 90 days, with multiple entries allowed. This is great news for Vietnam tourism as previously, the e-visa was valid for just 30 days and only a single entry
Cambodia Product News / ‘Irawaddy River Dolphins’
After many years in decline, the number of ‘Irrawaddy River Dolphins’ in Cambodia’s ‘Kratie’ province has increased thanks to environmental efforts. ‘Experience Asia’ has partnered with local companies to offer travellers a chance to witness the dolphins in their natural environment. During the high water months of September and October, are the best time to view these beautiful creatures
Indonesia Hotel Choice / ‘Kayon Jungle Resort’ Ubud, Bali
The Kayon Jungle Resort is a place where seasoned travellers can escape the hectic pace of everyday life and feel renewed by the beauty of nature. This tropical sanctuary is located just 25 minutes from the cultural heart of ‘Ubud’ in Bali. Inspired by traditional Balinese architecture, this resort has a spa center, fitness center, and free bicycles are available for guests who wish to explore the area
https://thekayonjungleresort.com/
Bhutan News / Daily ‘Tourist Fees’ to be halved
Bhutan has announced it will reduce the daily USD200 / per person sustainable development fee by 50% to USD100 starting 1 September 2023. Under the new rule, children 5 to 11 years old will be charged USD50 daily. The local government believes this reduction is necessary to increase tourism revenue which plummeted during Covid
Last Words / ‘Experience Asia’ welcomes ‘US Influencers’
This month we welcomed two popular ‘influencers’ from the US, to experience our ‘Terrific Thailand’ program’, in cooperation with our US travel partner and ‘TAT LA (Tourist Authority of Thailand)
Carly Knight and Olivia Sketch spent 12 days in Thailand visiting Bangkok, River Kwai, Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Phuket, sending out daily social media updates to their hundreds of thousands of followers. Follow Carly on Instagram here.
*The ‘Experience Asia 2024 Online Tariff’ is now available.
Please contact our Sales Manager for a password at: sales@experiencetravel.asia
Wishing you all Safe and Happy Travels
Stephen McEvoy / Managing Director
EXPERIENCE ASIA
Travel adventures in Thailand, Indochina and Indonesia
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