Recently, our team in Cambodia partnered with Phnom Penh’s KVL Hotel and the Cyclo Conservation and Careers Association (CCCA) to give back to the nation’s dwindling community of cyclo drivers. The three-wheeled, pedal-powered rickshaws were first introduced to Phnom Penh in the 1930s and became a fun and affordable way of getting around the old city.

In recent times, however, cyclo drivers have become increasingly scarce as the city’s resident’s turn to more modern, motorised vehicles and potential workers seek more lucrative professions. Cyclo driving is said to be among the lowest paid sectors in Cambodia as the traditional mode of transport has become all but obsolete.

Now, in an effort to preserve this age-old tradition for future visitors, the CCCA is working to provide greater support for cyclo drivers while boosting the sustainability of their livelihood.

Our team at Asian Trails Cambodia, in collaboration with KVL Hotel, contributed to the CCCA’s efforts by spending the day with cyclo drivers on an excursion around Phnom Penh. After the ride, the team had a chance to sit down with the cyclo drivers to exchange knowledge about how to deliver the best experience for Asian Trails’ guests. Each driver also received a gift of rice and other daily necessities as well as a #RefillNotLandfill bottle to encourage the reduction of single-use plastics.

Asian Trails can arrange, and highly recommends, a cyclo excursion around Phnom Penh. This is not only one of the best ways to experience the city – to see the city from the eyes of a cyclo driver – but it is also a cleaner, more eco-friendly way to travel and a great way to give back to the local community.  To find out more, reach out to us at: res@asiantrails.com.kh.

As we gear up for the peak travel season in Indonesia, we continue with our meticulous preparations to ensure exceptional service for our customers. Our preparations go beyond logistics, however, as we recently performed a sacred ceremony to mark the longevity of our business. The ceremony was in keeping with long-held traditions in Bali, the location of our Indonesian head office and a profoundly spiritual place.

While we often perform smaller ceremonies at our office, we felt, on this occasion, a grander event was needed, particularly after the challenges of the pandemic and the remarkable rebound that followed. Therefore, we held a Caru Rsi Gana on Piodalan, a rare and important custom performed only once every couple of decades. The last time we performed this ceremony was 23 years ago when we established Asian Trails Indonesia.

Ahead of the event, a revered Hindu priest selected the most auspicious date according to the complex Hindu calendar. Then members of our team embarked on a pilgrimage to six sacred temples across Bali to make offerings, pray and collect blessed water which would play an important role in the actual ceremony.

At dawn on the ceremonial day, our team members performed traditional dances that embody grace and elegance and we listened to chants and prayers led by two Hindu priests. The event culminated in a communal feast of babi guling, the renowned Balinese suckling pig – what better way to conclude such a momentous occasion than with a shared meal?

According to Balinese belief, this ceremony not only ensures a successful high season but also promises smooth operations for the next 23 years. With such blessings secured, we eagerly look forward to working closely with you and welcoming your guests with the highest quality of service over the coming weeks, months and years.

Reach out to our expert team for destination insights and travel tips in Indonesia at: res@asiantrails.co.id

ITB Berlin is long behind us but I am reflecting on those three days and how nice it was to see industry friends again after four years. There is just nothing like meeting people face-to-face and even though I also participated at virtual trade shows, including virtual ITB, it just was not the same. Maybe I am old fashioned and of a generation that prefers human interaction to seeing someone on a computer screen?

ITB Berlin after the COVID years felt like COVID never happened. It was business as usual. The focus was on the future and those difficult years a memory many of us would rather strike out. Reunions were happy; some maybe even melancholic with lots of smiles on faces that possibly got a bit older with a few more wrinkles and definitely wiser.

What I always enjoy tremendously are multi-generational meetings with family-owned companies. Fathers, mothers or even grandfathers bringing their offspring, sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, into the world of tourism and into their companies. With many, I have been working with them even before I co-founded Asian Trails and I love the fact that we have been doing business for 20, 30 or even more years. I know their successes, their ups and downs, their strategic changes, their advances in technology. Such talks often ended late into the night with maybe one glass too much and lots of coffee the next morning when we sat down to the more serious aspects of business.

Pictured (left to right): Bjorn Schimanski, Managing Director of Asian Trails Indonesia; Laurent Kuenzle, Asian Trails’ CEO; and Emir Cherif, Managing Director of Asian Trails Malaysia/Singapore.

Succession comes with new ideas and I am an eager listener to what youngsters intend to do with the company their parents or grandparents built up. There is often a discussion on technology, such as how Asian Trails has integrated eConnect; on how they try to attract younger customers with new marketing campaigns; how they want to adapt their products to more modern times; and how they think they will continue with the success that their parents achieved.

These are quite different to discussions with corporate managers who are employed and might have worked at different companies gaining different experiences and a wider range of views. There is of course nothing wrong with that and those discussions are equally important and interesting. But when multi-generational discussions take place they have a different dynamic, often a more down to earth approach since the head of the company more often than not was involved hands on with all aspects of the company. For youngsters stepping into those shoes, the undertaking is often of a different challenge since ‘father knows best’ and conflicts can turn personal instead of staying professional and true to their intent. I sometimes feel as a mediator in these discussions since both generations ask my opinion and see me as a referee or as a contributor to the best solution.

Amongst many, I love and cherish such dialogues. I find them inspirational also to our business and sometimes the trigger of actions I might myself turn into an Asian Trails’ project or decision. It was fun to reignite such talks at ITB which I am sure will continue over many dinners in the months and years to come and where I can support our friends with my personal knowledge and experience.

Thank you for being a friend and business partner of Asian Trails. Contact me if you think that I can contribute to supporting you in your objectives and aspirations, in the growth of your company or simply to have a chat on matters that are important to you.

My first visit to Laos since COVID not only gave me the chance to visit our offices and catch up with our Laos’ country team face-to-face, it also gave me the opportunity to try the new high-speed train from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. For the ones who remember, an overland trip from Luang Prabang to Vientiane was previously a very long and tiring full-day journey – the new train is a comfortable one hour and 50 minutes ride!

Julie of Asian Trails Laos & Tien of Asian Trails Vietnam with Laurent at the station 

Built by the Chinese and completed in late 2021, the rail link is changing the way goods are transported between the two countries and it will eventually connect passengers to China, which has one of the largest train networks in the world. At present, cross-border passenger trains do not yet operate but we are told that this will commence soon. What is still far off though and might take a generation to complete is the objective that one day high-speed trains will run from China through Laos, Thailand and Malaysia to Singapore.

Western travelers usually assume that train stations are located in the centre of a city and airports are far out. In Laos this is different, since airports were built in the early days near cities, whereas the train stations are new and positioned further out. It takes about 40 minutes to get from the centre of Luang Prabang to the train station and about the same time from Vientiane Station to the city centre. 

Inside the ample station

The stations are modern and large and spotlessly clean, with ample seats for all passengers, but there are no shops or restaurants. Travellers are advised to bring their own food and beverages, though a small selection of drinks and snacks are available on trains. Passport and security checks take place at the entrance to the station and tickets are checked prior to accessing the platforms. Guides, as well as accompanying persons without tickets, are not allowed into the station. Sufficient time should be calculated for these procedures and we advise clients to arrive at the station 45 minutes prior to train departures. 

Trains run on time and there are currently three services per day from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng and Vientiane and two services to the border town of Boten. Stations are well organised and display carriage numbers on platforms so clients can easily board the carriage displayed on their train ticket. Train ticket information is also personalised, with the passenger’s name and passport number, as well as carriage and seat number identified on the ticket.

1st Class Seating

First class carriages offer four seats abreast and second class five seats abreast, with luggage storage available at the end of the carriage, as well as in overhead shelves. The trains are spotless with train attendants constantly moving through the carriages making sure it stays clean throughout the journey. There are both Western and Asian toilets in every carriage. 

Currently, tickets are not easy to obtain. Trains are always fully booked and tickets go on sale only 72 hours prior to the specified travel date. Our Laos office manages reservations and ticketing for all Asian Trails’ clients who have booked full services with us. We apologise that train ticket-only sales cannot be offered at the moment. 

Vang Vieng – a nature-lover’s paradise

The train ride from Luang Prabang south to Vang Vieng, best known for its beautiful river scenery and adventure tour programmes, takes only one hour at an average speed of about 160 kph per hour. The journey takes travellers through mountains and valleys with frequent tunnels. 

After Vang Vieng, the train travels east towards Laos’ capital city Vientiane through plains and alongside small towns for the remaining 50 minutes travel time. The rail link is changing the way we conduct tours in Laos – giving clients more time to explore the sights and sounds in each destination and also, the ability to swiftly move from one place to another. Travel to Laos has never been easier!

Vientiane, the charming capital of Laos

It is a bit sad that for many visitors, a journey to Laos only concentrates on the cultural highlight of Luang Prabang and maybe a short stop in the capital Vientiane. For guests who love to explore the more remote parts of Asia, Laos offers ample possibilities. 

For instance, travel on a boat on the Mekong River from the Thai border to Luang Prabang, with an overnight stop in a lodge on the way; or go completely off the beaten track in Northern Laos and visit mountain communities; the plain of jars is another sight that only few people will see; Southern Laos sees few tourists, though it has exceptional attractions, including the famed ‘4,000 islands’, quaint river lodges, ancient temples dating back to the Angkorian period and don’t forget the Bolaven Plateau with its picturesque coffee and tea plantations. 

Asian Trails is happy to tailor-make your clients’ personal journeys through fascinating Laos. For further information, please email: Res(@)asiantrailslaos.com

I had the privilege of sailing around the Andaman Sea in Southern Thailand over the New Year and as always, I was fortunate to see spectacular scenery. Thailand really is a unique destination for lovers of beaches, sand and sun – and even more so for visitors who want to explore and enjoy the beauty of abundant tropical islands.

There is something for everyone seeking a beach holiday in the kingdom – busy coastal resorts with funky clubs directly on the sands and famous DJs spinning the latest tunes; party islands where life starts after sunset; restaurants for every budget; extensive water sports; sophisticated spas to enjoy a myriad of treatments; shopping streets and independent markets; and cultural pursuits, such as exploration of temples or indigenous island communities.  

The other side of Thailand, and the one I personally love the most offers secluded beaches on pristine islands, azure blue waters, national parks and resorts in the middle of nowhere, ranging from comfortable two-star to five-star super luxury. 

Thailand may not yet be the most sustainable country in the world, but authorities at both national and local levels are undertaking distinct efforts to maintain the natural beauty of the country’s natural resources. 

Most of the national parks have control measures in place, such as designated areas for boats to moor and swimmers to swim. Some beaches, such as Maya Bay on Phi Phi Island, are off limits to boat operators who want to offload their passengers directly in the vicinity. Visitors have to disembark in another bay and undertake a five-minute shaded walk through the jungle to reach this idyllic site – immortalised in the Hollywood movie The Beach. Resorts are also not allowed to operate in national parks, at least not officially.

With China reopening its border for its citizens to travel overseas, discussions about mass tourism and a potential overrun of tourist destinations in Thailand have started. Thailand welcomed 13 million Chinese visitors in 2019, almost a third of all arrivals, and there is a fear that the entire country will be overrun by Chinese tourists.

In total, Thailand welcomed 40 million visitors in 2019 – the year before pandemic-enforced border controls were introduced worldwide. The Thai government has set a target of 25 million visitors for 2023. Surely there will not be an overrun of Chinese visitors this year, but the long-term plan will be to grow this number again. 

Whereas I am strongly in favour for the protection of the environment, nature, villages and the underprivileged, I also believe it is the right of every country to grow their visitor numbers, and improve their economy and the lives of their people. 

The key point is to do it in a way that strikes a balance between tourism and sustainability. This is a topic that can be covered in a future CEO story when new tourism data and evidence of how visitors have been managed is to hand. 

Whichever way arrivals to Thailand develop, I am convinced tourists will continue to enjoy exceptional holiday experiences – be it lively beaches packed with party revellers, or seclusion and natural beauty for those seeking solitude. 

There are few countries in the world that offer such good value for money as Thailand does at the present, particularly when the tourism sector is getting back on its feet after COVID-19 with visitor numbers way below pre-pandemic levels. 

Wherever you may roam in 2023, enjoy happy trails!

“Sustainability is not an objective but a constant process. Asian Trails is committed to reduce its impact on the environment by constantly reviewing and improving operations, and in creating tours that support local communities, respect nature, adhere to our animal welfare policies and reduce carbon emissions.

Tourism leaves an impact on destinations – we cannot deny this. Asian Trails has strict internal guidelines to respect and contribute to the overall well-being of Asian tourism by following our three main principles for tourism longevity: Supporting responsible, economic growth through tourism; preserving and respecting local culture and heritage; minimizing our footprint on the environment.”

The above two paragraphs were my introduction to readers of our 2020 Annual Sustainability Report, a yearly publication outlining our vision and sustainability actions in the preceding year. A copy of the report is available here and also through our sales managers and country sustainability coordinators.

There are generally two categories of people reacting to sustainability topics. The first category skips the topic altogether thinking it doesn’t concern them. The second category is the group for whom sustainability has become an integral part of their lives and activities. If you are still reading this story you belong to the latter group and demonstrate that you care about the impact humans have on our vulnerable planet and try to help by improving people’s lives. We care very much too.

At Asian Trails, sustainability is a core value and has a key influence on our behaviour and actions. The education of our employees and support to our suppliers on sustainable topics is one of our top priorities. Ameer Virani, together with our country sustainability coordinators, organises and conducts monthly training events with our employees to make sure they understand and support the principles we preach.

Sustainability is a complex topic using terms that even professionals sometimes misinterpret. To give you an example: What is the difference between Sustainable Travel, Responsible Travel and Regenerative Travel? We try to simplify terms as much as possible and provide a one page dictionary for our employees to understand the differences. If you would like to get a copy, please write to Ameer and he will be happy to send you one in English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish.

Needless to say that Asian Trails has policies on Animal Welfare, Orphanage Tourism, CSR Activities, Plastic Reduction and Carbon Offsetting. Our policies and activities adhere to our core sustainability principles. All Asian Trails offices are Travelife Partner certified and follow Travelife’s sustainability criteria.

We support community development in all of our destinations and work hand in hand with NGOs and community foundations. Our country offices can send you detailed information on their specific country initiatives. All of these activities are driven by our offices in each country and not centrally from head office so that there is a close and personal connection with each organisation.

We constantly review and improve on our processes and actions and set ourselves new objectives. We are also completely transparent in what we do and the difficulties we face. For example, one of the most difficult projects to implement is the replacement of single-use plastic water bottles with reusable water bottles. In some destinations refillable water stations are readily available, but in others they are non-existent with suppliers not willing to provide this eco-friendly service and we therefore need to organise the entire water supply chain on our own. Alternatively, in some countries we are able to provide customers with reusable glass bottles.

We also think that it makes little sense to offer reusable water bottles to every customer since these are already offered by some hotels and other suppliers and after a two week journey, customers end up with a multiple of reusable water bottles which they throw in the rubbish bin. We will gladly provide reusable water bottles, branded or according to individual wishes, but our recommendation is for customers to bring their own reusable water bottles since this will have the smallest impact on the environment.

There are many topics that I could elaborate on, but that would make for a book. Our Asian Trails’ teams will gladly elaborate on our policies and actions and give you more detailed information on request.

Like the whole world, I am shocked at the events unfolding in Myanmar (Burma) since the military coup in early February. I would have wished for a diplomatic solution to take hold, but tragically so far, guns have spoken louder than words.

I am in constant touch with our managers in Myanmar and with many of my personal friends and I hear their words loud and clear: Do not forget us.

Myanmar is a country I love deeply, having lived there for many years. It is a wonderful place for tourists to visit, with local people that have always welcomed visitors with open arms. When I ask tourists after their visits what they liked most about the country, the answer I most often get is ‘the people’. Myanmar touches one’s heart.

The country has some of the most interesting cultural sights in Asia, unforgettable landscapes with mountains, lakes, desert plains and kilometres of beaches; vibrant cities with a colonial flair; colourful markets like few other places in the world; and welcoming people in every corner of the nation. Let’s not forget this when we see and read the news these days.

One day this will be over. I pray for this to happen very soon and this will be the time when the Myanmar people will need our support, in particular the support of the tourism industry.

Like everywhere in the world, tourism employs millions of people, as it does in Myanmar: hotels, restaurants, transport, tour companies, guides, to name just a few. These are operations that employ people from all walks of life, but many are from the middle class. They get a chance at life by being engaged in the tourism sector – an opportunity that provides for their families and improves their livelihoods.

In the nineties, a niche tourism industry re-started in Myanmar after years of complete, global isolation. These were the years that I lived in Yangon and I could see how tourism was making a difference in the lives of mostly very poor people. Not just livelihoods improved, as at that time there was no social media and limited news, so foreign visitors were a window – a glimpse to the outside world.

With few exceptions, the tourism infrastructure is largely owned by private people and not as some might think the military. Hotels, restaurants, transportation companies, tour companies and even some of the domestic airlines are privately owned. We will always be transparent with whom we work with and where the money goes to.

We, as the tourism industry, play an important role and we must support the Myanmar people. As soon as it is safe to travel, it is our job to help bring tourists back to the country. I appeal to our clients not to drop Myanmar from their programmes and their brochures. Whereas there will be little initial demand, it is hoped that a diplomatic solution can be found soon so the country can get back on track.

Interview with Laurent Kuenzle, CEO Asian Trails Group

We are already a few weeks into 2021 and even though most of the world is in lockdown or partial lockdown or restricted in their movements or activities, there is a positive vibe in the air with news on vaccination programmes. Successful vaccination will be the game changer for tourism to re-start and we can only hope that governments will be able to overcome initial difficulties and move forward swiftly and efficiently.

I wish all of you success in moving from survival mode to recovery mode and hope to have the chance to meet many of you personally in the second half of the year. I thought it would be a good idea to answer some of the key questions friends and colleagues have been asking me in recent weeks, hence this first CEO Story of 2021 will follow an interview format. For simplicity’s sake I will always refer to ‘Covid’ and not specify ‘Covid-19’ or ‘Sars-Cov-2’ or any other similar term.

Have Covid vaccination programmes started in South-East Asia and China?

To a small extent yes, but not in any large mass vaccination programmes yet. I believe the Americas, Europe and India are ahead of the game with vaccination having started in many countries despite initial logistical difficulties and a lack of vaccines. I foresee that South-East Asian vaccination programmes will commence in Q2 with vaccines obtained from different pharma companies and source countries. I’m yet to receive reliable information on China.

Will it be compulsory to be vaccinated against Covid to be allowed to travel to South-East Asia and China?

It’s a question I cannot answer at this stage. There are internal and government-to-government discussions taking place, but as far as I know no decisions have been taken. A few industry players such as the Australian airline Qantas have announced that it will be compulsory to be vaccinated against Covid in order to be allowed to board one of their international flights, but we will have to wait a bit longer to understand whether such companies will be the exception or the leaders paving the way of the future of travelling.

Do you see light at the end of the tunnel now that vaccination programmes will start?

Vaccines are the game changer, but besides vaccines we will need better co-ordination and communication between governments for travellers to gain confidence that travel will be safe, smooth, efficient and painless. No one wants to fear quarantine or other types of country regulations changing every day. Since not everyone will be vaccinated at the same time but many will want to travel nevertheless, facilitating travel will also have to include protocols such as those proposed by the WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council).

When will South-East Asian countries and China open their borders for tourists to travel without restrictions?

My assumption is that borders will only open unconditionally to tourists once a (large) part of the local population has been vaccinated. At Asian Trails we predict that tourists will return to our destinations in the second half of 2021.

Can tourists travel to any country in Asia at the moment?

Yes they can, such as to Thailand, Cambodia or Indonesia, but subject to regulations including quarantine upon arrival at the destination and conditional to a negative Covid test prior to departure. Extensive paperwork is often required prior to travelling to obtain visas and/or entry certificates. Our offices can send detailed information on all our destinations.

Why have Asian countries enforced much stricter regulations and border restrictions than most other countries in the world?

There are many reasons and amongst those is the fact that Asian countries learned from the spread of the SARS virus in 2003; they acted quickly and strictly right from the onset of Covid. In general, Asian people were more afraid to catch the virus and die from Covid than in the West, and public fear pushed governments to extreme measures (some would argue that public fear was instigated by governments for easier control of its population).

Whereas many Western countries tried to balance public health against economic damage, Asian countries put public health first. The more autocratic governments in Asia did not face the same resistance against rules and regulations as did many governments in the West. Basic measures such as wearing a mask did not fall on deaf ears since it was already customary in many countries in Asia to wear a mask such as when one suffers from the flu and/or is sensitive to pollution.

Will tourists change their travelling behaviour and what trends do you foresee when tourists return?

People are fed up of having to sit alone at home, of being restricted to their bubble environment and they miss seeing family and friends. I believe there is huge pent-up demand for travel and we will see requests bounce back as soon as borders open and people are vaccinated. We won’t have to wait until 2023 or 2024 for tourists to return in large numbers. People will have to feel safe and welcome and safety protocols will (initially) play an important role. Family and friends, as well as small group travel will be booming. Destinations offering nature experiences away from crowds and sustainable, meaningful travel benefiting local communities will be in high demand. Slow travel will see many new followers.

Also, city travel will see a bounce back, high-class dining as well as street food will be as sought after, as will rooftop bars and entertainment venues. Products will be available for all budgets; value for money will be a key decision-making factor. Sadly, it will take time for some places to recover from the crisis and some tourism stakeholders will not have funds available to re-start their businesses in the first stage of the recovery. Flexible terms and conditions will enhance people to book. Last minute bookings will be the norm rather than the exception, at least in the short term.

Does Asian Trails look after domestic travellers and what initiatives is Asian Trails taking in these downturn times?

We looked after domestic travellers at some of our destinations and provided services to long-stay travellers. Our incentive departments organised a few hybrid events and facilitated online conferences. This is a far cry from our usual revenue streams, but we tried to generate at least a bit of income. We took advantage of these slow business months in moving ahead with our technology projects and in creating many new Explore products. We also fast-tracked sustainability initiatives and are about to launch a new villa product in Thailand and Bali. External and internal training, as well as education projects were numerous and client-focused. We right sized our organisation and reviewed our efficiency and operations procedures. We are ready to move full speed ahead with all our activities once business returns.

As always, I will gladly answer any questions you may have, don’t hesitate to write to me!

I would have wished that by now, September 2020, we would have a plan for border openings in Asia and would be in full swing preparing for tourist arrivals. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Most governments in Asia either have no plans at all, or have plans on reviving the tourism industry that will either not work, or not bring any major benefit to the tourism industry and the economy. The full focus is on domestic tourism which brings partial economic recovery to China, but has little impact on the tourism industry or the economy in other Asian countries.

Instead of opening the doors to tourism and putting in place mosquito nets, Asian governments keep doors closed and look out through the peep hole. They have been doing this for the past six months with dire consequences for the tourism industry and the local economies. Our industry is close to collapsing in many countries and millions of unemployed people are trying to survive. The longer this situation drags on, the more dramatic it is going to be.

There is no or little co-ordination amongst any countries in Asia on what border re-openings could look like and what measures could be implemented. It seems ministers are living on secluded island nations without the need to talk to others and sometimes I wonder how dislocated they are from reality.

Recently I have been travelling to many corners of Thailand to see what is happening in the country first-hand, not only in tourism hot spots but also in more remote regions. I can tell you, it is not a pretty picture. With the exception of places within driving distance to Bangkok, tourism areas are ghost towns, shops are not only closed but are empty spaces since owners have completely moved out, restaurants are gone and many hotels are in hibernation. Are any of the ministers seeing this, or are they driving through their countries behind closed limousine windows?

Governments clearly care about their people since many Asian countries have been very successful in containing the spread of the virus and they need to be commended for their decisive action and containment strategy implementation. This would in fact put Asia in a pole position for tourists to return since they would feel safe and comfortable.

But possibly politics are in governments’ way since ministries of tourism have little say and ministries of economy don’t know what to do, resulting in our countries being run by doctors from the ministries of health. They have scared the population so much and don’t know how to handle the fact that the Coronavirus is here to stay and that people need to learn to live with the virus instead of avoiding it at all costs.

We are all waiting for a vaccine to solve this dilemma, but mass population inoculation programmes will take time to implement. We can’t wait for this to happen until governments open borders, or the economic damage will be on a scale none of us can imagine. Misery is around the corner for tens of millions of citizens in Asia.

The Bangkok Post published statistics on suicides in Thailand on the day I wrote this story. Suicides increased by 22 per cent in the first six months of the year to 2,551 people, that’s about 500 more than in previous years. This is almost ten times more than the number of people who have died from Covid-19 related complications in Thailand, where the virus toll amounts to 58 people.

To put this in the perspective of traffic related deaths in Thailand: on average, 200 people die each day on Thailand’s roads. Our chairman Luzi Matzig rightly said: “Are we stopping to drive because of traffic accidents?”

After 101 days of no local Covid-19 transmission in Thailand, a first case re-appeared last week. The media and Ministry of Health became hysterical. Because of one local transmission they immediately stalled any discussion on possible tourism openings. The ‘Phuket Model’ was immediately delayed. I don’t think such a model would have any major impact on the economy, it certainly won’t save the tourism industry, but it would be a welcome step for seasonal retirees to return to the country and it is a model that would be accepted by the people in Phuket who are desperately waiting for jobs to return.

Many governments in Asia have shut down the entire tourism industry and economy for more than six months and they are driving millions into poverty. Out of insane fear? Asian governments should be more mature now having learned from the past months of virus containment and they should focus on implementing virus management strategies.

WTTC has published excellent recommendations to governments on how they could re-open to tourism and what measures they could put in place to manage the situation. There is a certain risk of course associated with such a plan, but it will by far outweigh the economic benefits to a population that desperately needs jobs. Tourism is a crucial contributor to all economies in Asia and not a ‘nice to have’ income on the side.

I call on governments to act urgently to review existing restrictions and prepare for the safe opening of borders by implementing risk management strategies in line with WTTC recommendations. Quarantine restrictions need to be abolished. We need plans with timelines so that the industry can re-start its activities.

We do not need absurd theoretical ideas on border re-opening scenarios and restrictions. No regular tourist will spend two weeks locked in a room in quarantine. No tourist will want to spend holidays in a ghetto.

With consumer insecurity worldwide at a peak due to politics and media dramatisation and with virus containment mismanagement by many governments all over the world, many Asian countries would have a unique chance to prove that they are not only effective in virus containment management, but also in implementing risk management strategies. They would be in a unique position due to the low number of infections and casualties in balancing economic benefits with virus management.

I felt that I did not want to publish one of my travel stories this month and rather update you on what is happening in Asia. Stay tuned in the next weeks for the launch of our Asian Trails Product Cloud 2021, the extension of our flexible deposit and cancellations policies, as well as our carbon compensation programme.

Stefan Bruns – Deputy Managing Director, Asian Trails Thailand

Destined to showcase the awe-inspiring Thai landscape for versatile explorers, it is times like these where Stefan Bruns becomes a motivator of keeping team spirits high and leaving no stone unturned to welcome guests to his second home.

A proud Swiss national, our Deputy Managing Director of Asian Trails Thailand has worked tirelessly behind the screens in getting all that is needed to blaze new paths in travel with health, safety, and our trademark serviced standards, to exceeding expectations heights.

Not looking back on what has globally been defined as the ‘new normal’, it is Stefan’s turn to explain the what, why, and how he and his team reinvent invigorating means to keep Thailand up to par for the experienced-savvy traveler.

Click here to watch Stefan’s message to the world