Spotlight on Luxury Travel in Vietnam and Cambodia at ATF 14

The upcoming ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2014 will be held in Kuching, in Malaysia's Sarawak state, from January 16 to 23.

Over 1,600 delegates are expected to attend, including some 150 ASEAN tourism ministers and officials, 500 ASEAN exhibitors, 500 international buyers, 100 international and local media as well as 100 tourism trade visitors.

Award-winning luxury tour operator Luxury Travel Ltd. (www.luxurytravels.asia) will display at the ATF 2014 a range of new niche products, responsible tourism, MICE ideas, Fam trips and other services in luxury travel across Vietnam and Cambodia.

The beauty of Vietnam and Cambodia is that they continue to evolve without diluting its cultural heritage. They achieve that delicate balance between modernity and the past, calm space and clamorous activity, elegance and authenticity. Over the next five to ten years, they look set to add even more offerings for the luxury traveler.

The luxury traveler is being tempted with new boutique hotels, experiences and tours, such as flying to Halong Bay from Hanoi by helicopter. Vietnam's tourism infrastructure has improved, a fast-growing list of modern luxury and spa destinations and recently opened golf courses, the launch of luxury yacht and river cruise services ensure stress-free journeys away from the busy roads. Such improvements account for the the country's recent growth in popularity.

Luxury Travel Ltd (www.luxurytravels.asia) is offering travel professionals fam trips to experience Vietnam and take on the role of a Vietnam travel specialist. The programme is designed for travel sellers and they join what the company claims are its “bestselling tours starting in Hanoi and ending in Saigon.”

The trips depart on the first of every month, with an optional extension to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia or a Vietnam beach resort. Fam trip bookings are available online, but for detailed information travel agents can contact Luxury Travel’s sales and marketing director, Hung Nguyen, at [email protected].

Pham Ha says: “The beauty of our luxury tours is the first-hand knowledge and excellent service of local travel experts. Our trips have been carefully designed to capture the crème-de-la-crème, and allow travellers to really experience the culture, flow smoothly from place to place, and allow time for relaxation and personal discovery.”

The highlight at this year’s event will be special packages to Vietnam and Cambodia. The 12-day Vietnam package leaves on the first day of each month from Ho Chi Minh while the 14-day Cambodian journey leaves Hanoi on the 15th of each month.

Ha says, “In response to market demand, our set departure offering will enable our travel partners and their clients the opportunity to book luxury tours on a predictable and affordable basis.”

Luxury Travel (www.luxurytravels.asia) offers services not only for tour operators and travels agents, MICE planners, but also for leisure-free independent travellers worldwide.

The company opened a US sales office earlier this year and is venturing into the Latin America market, with the aim of attaining double-digit growth in 2014. Luxury Travel has also entered into a joint venture with Asia Premium Travel (www.asiapremiumtravel.com) marking the debut of Cambodia’s first high-end tour operator.

Ha says: “Luxury tourism is booming in Cambodia, and we have seen a remarkable increase in luxury bookings to Cambodia last year which has continued to rise in 2013. Increased air and overland links as well as the fact that foreign travellers prefer combining Vietnam and Cambodia within their itineraries also added to the launch of the new venture.”

Opened in 2004, the Luxury Travel Company has representative offices in Berlin, California, London, Paris, Sydney and Argentina.

The Vietnam tourism industry has received 6.5 million international arrivals, 32 million domestic travelers and revenue of VND150 trillion in 2012. The already approved tourism development strategy envisions that the number of international arrivals will soon be 7-7.5 million, that domestic travelers will approach 36-37 million, that revenue will hit US$10-11 billion by 2015, and that the tourism sector will contribute 5.5-6% of the country’s GDP by that year.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews