Exotissimo Electronic Newsletter

Meet With Exotissimo At IMEX 2013 In Frankfurt

Exotissimo — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:21:38 PDT

IMEX is a worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events attracting industry professionals from around the globe. Attending the event from Exotissimo will be Ms.Pantanida Jantsakool, General Manager Exotissimo Germany, Ms. Isabelle Jaglin, Director of Sales Exotissimo France and Ms. Carolin Weinhold, Sales Executive Exotissimo Germany. Please follow the link below to arrange a meeting with us, we would love to meet and discuss future possibilities.

Click here to make an appointment.

New Pandaw Cruise From Saigon To Siem Reap

Exotissimo — Wed, 08 May 2013 01:46:16 PDT

Launched in late 2012, the Angkor Pandaw boat offering 16 cabins will now cruise from Saigon to Siem Reap. This upstream cruise of 11 days will start in Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho with an exploration of Cai Rang floating market. It will cross the border between Vietnam and Cambodia in Chau Doc. In Cambodia, the itinerary’s highlights are a cyclo tour of Phnom Penh, a visit of the temples at Wat Nokor, a discovery of the floating villages and the bird sanctuaries on the Tonle Lake and a visit to the NGO circus school at Battambang. The cruise will depart on the 1st July, 29th July, 26th August 2013 and 10th July and 7th August 2014.

To view the factsheet, click here

For more details please contact vietnam@exotissimo.com

Exotissimo Cambodia – Employee of the Year

Exotissimo — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:52:46 PDT

Exotissimo Cambodia’s team gathered on the rooftop of our Phnom Penh office for the special announcement of Best Employee of the Year. In a ground breaking live video link up the awards were simultaneously shared with the Siem Reap office. Congratulations to Ms Kosal from the German department who was the winner. 2^nd place went to Mr Mony from Transport Administration and 3^rd to Ms Sokha from the UK team. To celebrate staff took a river cruise with live music, dancing, karaoke and food and drink!

For more details please contact cambodia@exotissimo.com

New Products in Southern Laos Include 2 Boutique Hotels in Pakse

Exotissimo — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:25:54 PDT

Our Laos Product Manager, James Pook, recently traveled overland through some of the most fascinating and least known areas of Laos. His journey began on the most southerly of the 4000 Islands, Done Khone, which is next to the border with Cambodia. From here he traveled north as far as Vientiane. Highlights on this route include the tranquil 4000 Islands themselves, the splendid pre-Angkorian temple of WatPhu, colonial and Buddhist architecture in the riverside towns of Savannakhet and Thakhek and then, perhaps most impressive of all, Kong Lor Caves. James will be happy to share his findings with you so please contact him on james@exotissimo.com for more details. In the meantime please follow the links for details of the best new hotels in Pakse; Athena and Residence Sisouk.

For more details please contact laos@exotissimo.com

‘Bizarre Bangkok’ Tour Reveals the Capital’s Darker History

Exotissimo — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 01:21:19 PDT

‘Bizarre Bangkok’ is based upon the non-fiction book, ‘Bizarre Thailand’ by Jim Algie. The eye-opening tour takes guests to unusual off-beat tourist attractions highlighted in the book, creating a memorable visit to one of Asia’s most mesmerizing cities.

Not for the faint hearted, it gives an insight to the lesser publicized attractions of Thailand’s colorful capital. The tour visits two of Bangkok’s most captivating and spine chilling museums. The tour departs via boat, passing the spectacular Wat Arun on the banks of the Chao Phraya en route to the Forensic Medicine Museum, where a large section is dedicated to informing about the 2004 tsunami.

UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office Opens Ngapali to Tourists Again

Exotissimo — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 18:56:38 PDT

Nearly a year after the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office, a government agency promoting British interests overseas, implemented an advisory against travel to Rakhine State they have revised the decree to match the realities on the ground. Ngapali Beach and Twande, located in Southern Rakhine, has been removed from the advisory, opening up Myanmar’s best beach destination to British travelers. The FCO still advises against travel to Northern Rakine, including Sittwe and Mrauk U, although the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has lifted its ban, and allows tourist to visit with prior permission.

“It is a welcome relief that the FCO finally took into account the situation on the ground,” said Richard Ludwig, product and adventure manager with Exo Myanamr. “Travelers from all over the world, except those from the UK, have enjoyed Ngapali this year. Finally, UK agents can begin selling the destination again. Ngapali is the perfect place to unwind, eat some great seafood, explore fishing villages and just escape.”

Ngapali is fast becoming the best beach escape in Asia. As with the rest of Myanmar, Exotissimo advises to book early as there is limited room capacity in the resorts that line the beach.

For more details please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com

Conserving Inle Lake

Exotissimo — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 01:13:39 PDT

Inthar fisherman, who have perfected a one-leg rowing technique which allows them to observe the still waters for fish, are one of Inle Lake’s iconic images. But another, more nefarious item has been spotted bobbing in the waters – plastic bottles. The increased number of visitors to Inle has also added pressure on the lake’s ecological health.

“Plastic has become a major problem, but also pollution from more motorboats is something locals and tourist alike should be concerned about,” said Moet Moet, Product Executive and Exo foundation Coordinator. “Inle doesn’t suffer from major environmental issues as the number of visitors is still low compared to other destinations, but now is the time to take action to prevent what has occurred in other developing nations.”

The government, along with local partners like Exotissimo, is heeding the call. An expert workshop was held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar’s capital, on 24 – 25 January. One recommendation coming from the workshop was the establishment of a Lake Trust Fund, to be financially supported by local, international, tourism and government donors.

For more details please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com

Renovations To Commence At Alila Manggis

Exotissimo — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 03:05:47 PST

Work is commencing on the upgrade of 24 rooms, all contained within two blocks of the hotel. Being replaced are the terrazzo floors and tiled walls, with new terrazzo works as well as upgrading to all the soft furnishings and in-room facilities. The project will commence 19th January and is due to be completed by 10th March 2013, from 10.00am to 05.00pm daily. The work will be isolated from public view, fenced-in by elegant bamboo screens and will not disrupt the serenity of the resort. Whilst some noise may be expected, the resort ensures that guests will not be inconvenienced in any way. Anticipating the potential noise during the refurbishment project, the resort will be providing guests with a complimentary shuttle service to the white beach located a 20 minute drive from the property.

Tokyo International Anime Fair

Exotissimo — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:14:02 PST

Manga and Anime are two the most well-known export products of modern Japan. Once a year, everything associated with Anime gets together at the Tokyo International Anime Fair. Held this year in the Tokyo Big Sight convention center on 23^rd and 24^th March 2013, the Anime Fair is the only place to be for those with an interest in the animated character. All major producers gather here to showcase the newest evolutions of their series, and the fair also sees a lot of newcomers trying to gain their place in the market.

Ideal for those travelling with children, timing a trip to Japan around the anime fair and combining with a more traditional program such as the ‘Tokyo Uncovered’ or ‘Japan’s Golden Route’ program allows a greater understanding of this diverse country.

For more details please contact japan@exotissimo.com

Myanmar ATMs Now Accepting Mastercard And Visa

Exotissimo — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:12:58 PST

Two banks, KBZ and CB, have switched on ATMs in Yangon and Mandalay that accept foreign debit and credit cards. KBZ accepts Visa and CB accepting MasterCard.

Both KBZ and CB ATMs allow a maximum withdraw of 300,000 kyat (aprx USD $355). The transaction fee is 5,000 kyats (aprx. USD $6). ATMs are located at the banks’ branches, major hotels, Scott Market and Yangon International Airport.

Exotissimo still recommends bringing enough cash for the entire journey as ATMs are still sparse in Yangon and Mandalay. In the months to come more ATMs are expected to be operational, with ATMs also opening in Bagan and Inle.

For more details please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com