 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
To serve you better in your country Exotissimo has sales offices in: France, North America, Australia, Germany and Spain.
|
|
|
|
| |
 Joining Exotissimo Group in Thailand as the new E-Commerce Director is Damien Pfirsch, who will guide the team in website development, coordinating search engine optimisation efforts and strengthening online marketing and communication efforts. Damien brings with him a wealth of experience in the travel and marketing industry, including heading a leading marketing and advertising firm as a digital strategy director, entrepreneurial experience in online marketing in Asian art and managerial experience in a travel company. He speaks French, English, German and Thai. He can be reached at damien@exotissimo.com.
Exotissimo will be exhibiting at the upcoming ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Hanoi from 5 – 12 January 2009. Please come visit us at booth A159. Olivier Colomes, Group Managing Director, George Ehrlich-Adam, General Manager Vietnam, Maeve Nolan, Product Manager Vietnam and Patrick Genuite, General Manager Hanoi will be attending the event. To schedule a meeting with Exotissimo at AFT, please click here.
As a reminder, this year we are offering three itineraries for agent familiarisation trips: Myanmar (8 Days/7Nights), Vietnam-Cambodia (13 Days/12 Nights) and Thailand-Laos (8 Days/7 Nights). The full itineraries and pricing information can be viewed by logging in to our Travel Trade Section and clicking on the ‘Fam Trips’ icon on the right hand side. Please send an inquiry form or contact marketing@exotissimo.com if you are interested in booking or for more information.
|
|
|
 |
|
 The Dalat Classical Music Festival will take place in Dalat (Central Highlands of Vietnam) from 27 February to 1 March (Fri – Sun) and from 6 – 7 March (Fri – Sat) in 2009. The event will feature talented musicians including Dang Thai Son, Maryvonne Le Dizes, Darius Quartet, Hae-Sun Kang and many more. As the official travel agent for the festival, Exotissimo is pleased to present different travel packages specially created in conjunction with the festival. These packages can also be combined with extended visits - in or outside Vietnam – to destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta or Nha Trang. For more information on our packages for the festival, please contact delphine@exotissimo.com.
Tet, or the Vietnamese New Year, is the most important national holiday in Vietnam. Traditionally a time for family reunions, many Vietnamese will take the opportunity to return to their hometowns to celebrate the occasion with their relatives. Usually lasting for three days, most shops and businesses (including restaurants) close, transportation and guides services are also harder to secure and a premium may apply. Due to the aforementioned reasons, we would like to remind all agents to confirm bookings for this period as soon as possible. In the months following Tet, many local festivals are celebrated in Northern Vietnam so it will be interesting to visit the country during this period. Please contact vietnam@exotissimo.com for further details.
We would like to remind all that new prefixes have been added to fixed line telephone numbers in Vietnam since 5 October. For our offices, the number 3 must be added after the local code and before the telephone number. Our numbers are now:
- Exotissimo Travel HCMC: 84() 8 825 1723 → 84() 8 3825 1723
- Exotissimo Travel Hanoi: 84() 4 828 2150 → 84() 4 3828 2150
This rule is applied to all cities and provinces in Vietnam except Da Nang (0511), Dong Nai (061), Hai Duong (0320), Hai Phong (0313), Kien Giang (077), Nam Dinh (0350), Nghe An (038) and Thanh Hoa (037). Please note that the prefix number will vary depending on the telecommunication provider, so please check with individual contacts for their new prefixes.
 Newly opened, the Thao Dien Village is a 13,000 square metre complex in Ho Chi Minh City’s plush District 2. A mere 20 minutes drive from the city centre (or by boat charter for groups), the complex is nestled beside the Saigon River and blends tropical and Vietnamese designs into its landscaping and decoration. It features a 22-room colonial style hotel, four restaurants (Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese and Italian), a spa and health club, a riverside pool, an events hall and a puppet theatre. It is highly recommended for MICE events, families or honeymooners seeking an intimate stay or those who simply wish to get away from the city.
 Opening in December 2008, Maison D’Hanoi Hanova Hotel is a stylish boutique hotel located in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarters. It is a short walk away from the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake and other colonial buildings. Featuring 55 rooms and suites with tasteful designs and modern amenities, it is suitable for both leisure and corporate travellers. Other hotel facilities include the Minh Hai Lobby Gallery, Piano Bar and Hanova Café.
 In November, Indochina Sails launched the operation of the Indochina Sails 3, bringing its total cruiser fleet in Halong Bay to four. The newest vessel features 15 luxurious cabins, including four deluxe suites with private balconies on the second deck. With designs inspired by the classic Oriental junks and equipped with modern amenities, the Indochina fleet is known for having the most charming and luxurious boats on Halong Bay.
Joining operations alongside Bassac I and II in Mekong River since November is Bassac III. Accommodating up to 24 passengers in the 12 air-conditioned cabins (each fitted with a private bathroom), this new boat also features a spacious restaurant, a large gallery, a front lounge and a mostly–covered upper deck. The Bassac III can take passengers on cruises up to seven days through Vietnam’s Mekong Delta as well as charter and set departure cruises from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh.
If you would like to have further product updates or information that are not seen in this e-newsletter, please email our Vietnam Product Manager, Maeve Nolan, at maeve@exotissimo.com for further information.
|
|
| |
|
 Miles Gravett has been appointed as the Siem Reap Operations Manager for Exotissimo Cambodia. Growing up in California, Miles has been fascinated and connected to Asia for as long as he can remember. He comes to Exotissimo with three years of experience in leading quality tours across China, Tibet, Cambodia, Vietnam and Morocco. Miles speaks fluent English and Mandarin and possesses a working knowledge of French and Spanish. He can be contacted at miles@exotissimo.com.
 With Exotissimo now operating the revolutionary route between Pakse and Siem Reap along the Mekong, we have been striving to incorporate responsible tourism projects into our itineraries. Located in Stung Treng town, Tourism for Help and Mekong Blue (details below) are two well-run projects that aim to alleviate poverty and empower local people in the hospitality industry. For more information, please contact cambodia@exotissimo.com.
Run by the non-governmental organisation Tourism for Help, the Tonlé Tourism Training Center gives underprivileged local students an opportunity to receive extensive practical training in order to become professionals in the hospitality industry. The center’s working restaurant, Le Tonlé, provides students with hands-on experience in managing and operating a restaurant. Besides enjoying meals at the training restaurant, visitors can also show their support by staying at the Tonlé guesthouse. Visitors are encouraged to interact and share their professional know-how with the students.
 A project established by the Cambodian non-governmental organisation Women’s Development Centre, the Mekong Blue focuses on developing life skills for women through silk weaving. The centre produces a range of high quality hand-woven silk products that have received seals of excellence from UNESCO. Besides providing a space for the women to showcase their skills and talents, the centre also helps to preserve and promote the old Khmer tradition of silk weaving. Visitors can enjoy Khmer and international dishes at the café or purchase a Mekong Blue item from the Gallery.
 Having extended its services, the Santuk Silk Farm in Kampong Thom now makes a perfect lunch stop on the overland route between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Not only can visitors learn about the process of silk weaving and other activities, they can also enjoy the meals hosted by the local family and relax in the beautiful garden setting. By visiting the farm, guests can contribute to the sustainable development of the community. For more information, please contact cambodia@exotissimo.com.
 The Angkor Archaeological Park can now be explored in a comfortable and environmentally-friendly way. A fleet of 7 Makara electric cars are now offering tours in Angkor Thom. Operated by local authorities, each car comes with a professional driver and seats up to a maximum of 12 passengers. Exotissimo welcomes this green initiative and strongly encourages our partners to partake in this effort to maintain a tranquil environment for the temples. For more information, please contact cambodia@exotissimo.com.
 The Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa in Siem Reap recently opened its new Nick Faldo-designed golf course. A special golf package is now available, including 2 nights in a superior room at the Victoria Angkor with daily buffet breakfasts, round-trip airport transfers, a 18-hole round of golf with caddy and return transfers between the hotel and golf course (or a spa package for non-golfers). The package is valid until 30 April 2009. Special offers for groups of 5 or more golfers are available on request.
|
|
| |
|
 With the opening of the Thanaka Museum and Spa in Bagan in January 2009, tourists can learn about the history and use of thanaka in Burmese culture. The new museum also features a plantation with more than 300 thanaka trees. A distinctive feature of Myanmar, thanaka is a yellowish-white paste that is commonly applied onto the faces of women and children in circular patches or sometimes in the shapes of leaves. The fragrant cream is made by grinding the bark of the thanaka tree with drops of water on a circular stone slab called ‘kyauk pyin’ and is thought to beautify the skin and provide sun protection. Please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com for more information.
For flower lovers, December is an ideal time to visit the annual Flower Festival in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay. During the festival visitors can delight in viewing the 400,000 flowering plants displayed in the botanical garden. The festival will be held from 11 – 31 December 2008. For further information, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.
 Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State, is accessible from both Shan and Karen States. From Inle Lake, it takes 5 hours by boat to Hpe Kom followed by a 2-hour car ride to Loikaw. From Heho, it is a 5-hour drive to Loikaw. Both routes take visitors through the scenic landscapes of Myanmar.
Loikaw’s attractions include the Taung Gwe Pagoda, Htee Pwint Lake, weaving workshops and a cultural museum. In the hill regions, the Padaung tribes are interesting cultural groups with their traditional costumes and unique ways of life. Native to the Kayah State, the Padaung females wear brass rings on their necks in the belief that a woman’s beauty is judged by the length of her neck.
The Kayah festivals are equally fascinating and offer cultural insights. The Kayah people celebrate Kae-Hto-Boe (or Dagundaing) to mark the New Year, Moe-Khaw-Pwe (Rain Wishing) in April, as well as the Deeku (boiled sticky rice snack) and Kay (hunting) festivals. Before undertaking important tasks such as hunting or harvesting, they will predict their own fortunes by piercing a freshly cut chicken leg with a sharp, thin layer of bamboo stick.
For more information and itineraries in Loikaw, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.
|
|
|
| |
|
 Vanhpakai Saythong has recently joined Exotissimo Laos in the Vientiane office as the Luxury Department Manager. Also known as Kai, Vanhpakai is no stranger to Exotissimo. He started his career in the travel industry back in 2001 as a Travel Consultant with Exotissimo Laos before being recruited by Green Discovery Laos as the Sales and Operations Manager. In search of new challenges, Vanhpakai accepted the invitation to join Exotissimo Laos and will lead the establishment of the new luxury department. He will be in charge of developing and managing this department as well as handling MICE requests for the English-speaking markets. Speaking fluent Lao, Thai, English and some French, Vanhpakai can be contacted at kai@exotissimo.com.
Recently opened in Vientiane, L’Adresse is a new French restaurant located on the first floor of New Lao Paris Hotel on Samsenthai Street. Based on the concept of a French bistro, the restaurant serves salads, simple French dishes and wine. For now, it is only open for dinners in the evening but will operate for lunches soon.
La Folie Lodge will be closed for the months of August and September in 2009. Please check other hotels for room availability if you have clients travelling to Champassek during this period.
|
|
|
| |
|
 In our recently launched Super Special Thailand Package, the 14D/13N itinerary features some of our best-loved signature excursions in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. This luxurious tour promises to take clients to lesser known and undiscovered parts of Thailand, such as a railway country market in Bangkok’s outskirts, biking through the lush forests of Chiang Mai and secluded beaches and lagoons in Phuket. The top hotels in each city are selected, including Peninsula Bangkok Hotel, Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi and Anantara Resort Phuket. This promotion runs from January to May 2009. For more information, please contact thailand@exotissimo.com.
 Our 5D/4N North Andaman Tsunami Relief Volunteer Programme combines voluntourism with a beach break in Khao Lak, Southern Thailand. In the tsunami-affected village of Baan Talae Nok, participants can teach English to children, get involved in a mangrove rehabilitation project and experience a home stay with a local host family. A day of leisure awaits clients at the end of the programme. For more details, please contact thailand@exotissimo.com.
 Our City and Jungle by Bike day trip starts with a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai’s landmark hilltop temple where participants can chat with the monks and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. The biking journey begins from the hilltop with a ride through the lush jungle of Doi Suthep and Doi Pui National Park combined with visits to a Hmong hill tribe coffee plantation development project and the man-made lake Huay Taeng Taew. After lunch, cycle along the meandering Mae Ping River filled with sights of local markets, temples and friendly locals.
Memorable Morning Merit is a half-day excursion in Chiang Mai. At dawn, participants enjoy a 30-minute trishaw ride through Chiang Mai and watch the town waking up. At the local market, they can make purchases of food and flowers to be used as offerings later. Continue by trishaw to Wat Ket, a picturesque temple seldom visited by tourists. Guests can observe monks in their morning prayers before presenting the offerings to the monks and receiving blessings in return, capping off an authentic Buddhist experience.
 Scenic Day Trip to the Golden Triangle by SGA Flight is a delightful full-day excursion through the fabled Golden Triangle. Taking off from Chiang Mai on a SGA craft, clients enjoy a bird’s eye view of the scenic mountains along the way to Chiang Rai. In Chiang Rai, they will visit the Karen, Yao, Lahu and Akha hill tribe villages followed by a scenic drive through the Doi Tung mountain ridge (straddling Thailand and Myanmar) en route to the beautiful Mae Fah Luang flower gardens. Lunch is served at the splendid restaurant of the Anantara Resort. Cruise along the Mekong on a long-tailed boat into the heart of the Golden Triangle before returning to Chiang Mai on the SGA flight.
Exotissimo’s Phuket Heritage excursion uncovers the island’s rich and colourful cultural heritage. The downtown fruit market tantalises all palates with its wide array of tropical fruits. In the historic quarters, the oldest Chinese shrine and Sino-Portuguese architecture are standing testimonies to the tin mining days of the 19th century. Guests then head to the summit of Rang Hill to savour refreshing cocktails and a sweeping panorama of Phuket town. In the evening, a delightful meal of Phuket cuisine completes the day.
For more information about the excursions, please contact thailand@exotissimo.com.
The Thai Immigration has issued new regulations regarding the Visa on Arrival (VOA) Policy. With immediate effect, the VOA will only be issued for 15 days for overland arrivals. Travellers arriving in Thailand by air continue to receive 30-day stamps.
 Opening this December in the northernmost Thai province of Chiang Rai is Katiliya Mountain Resort & Spa. Nestled amidst verdant valleys, the Katiliya is a sanctuary for relaxation, spa and meditation. The 56 suites and 2 villas feature spacious interiors with high ceilings and private balconies. The Katiliya also offers outdoor dining and distinctive Northern Thai spa treatments amid panoramic views of the lush surroundings.
 The Seven Seas Resort has just opened on Koh Kradan, a secluded island off the coast of Trang Province in Southern Thailand. The new resort offers 32 villas with indoor and outdoor living areas as well as open-air bathrooms with rain showers. Each unit presents splendid views of either the Andaman Sea or the lush tropical garden scenery. Guests can pamper themselves with a massage at the Seven Seas Spa or a delectable seafood meal at the restaurant. |
|
| |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| |
Thailand |
EXOTISSIMO TRAVEL THAILAND (GROUP HEAD OFFICE)
6th Floor Zuellig House
1-7 Silom Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
THAILAND
 Tel: (66 2) 636 0360
 Fax: (66 2) 636 0363
 E-mail: thailand@exotissimo.com
|
|
| |
 |
|
| |
Cambodia |
EXOTISSIMO TRAVEL CAMBODIA
6th Floor, SSN Center No.66, Norodom Boulevard,
Phnom Penh
CAMBODIA
Tel: (855 23) 218 948
Fax: (855 23) 426 586
E-mail: cambodia@exotissimo.com
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Laos |
EXOTISSIMO TRAVEL LAOS
044 Pangkham Street, Vientiane
LAO PDR
Tel: (856 21) 241 861
Fax: (856 21) 252 382
E-mail: laos@exotissimo.com
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Myanmar |
EXOTISSIMO TRAVEL MYANMAR
#0303 Sakura Tower, 339 Bo Gyoke Aung San Street, Kyauktada Township, Yangon
MYANMAR
Tel: (95 1) 255 266/427/170
Fax: (95 1) 255 428
E-mail: myanmar@exotissimo.com
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Vietnam |
EXOTISSIMO TRAVEL VIETNAM
Saigon Finance Center, 9 Dinh Tien Hoang Street
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
VIETNAM
Tel: (84 8) 38251723
Fax: (84 8) 38295800
E-mail: vietnam@exotissimo.com
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Exotissimo Travel Sales Offices:
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
France |
EXO TRAVEL FRANCE
40 Bis, Rue Du Fg Poissonnière, 75010 Paris
FRANCE
Tel: (33 1) 49 490 360
Fax: (33 1) 49 490 369
E-mail: exotravel@exotissimo.com
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Spain |
EXO TRAVEL SPAIN
Gran Via 566 4 A, 08011 Barcelona
SPAIN
Tel: (34 93) 4526 920
Fax: (34 93) 4536 791
E-mail: espana@exotissimo.com
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
North America |
EXOTISSIMO NORTH AMERICA
1501 N. Broadway, Ste. 220, Walnut Creek, CA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Tel: (1 925) 937 4550
Toll-free: (1 877) 396 8687 - (1 877) EXO TOUR
Fax: (1 925) 937 4551
E-mail: infoEXO@exotissimo.com
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Australia |
EXOTISSIMO AUSTRALIA
PO Box 152, Clifton Hill, Vic., 3068
AUSTRALIA
Tel: (61) 422 307 980
E-mail: michael@exotissimo.com
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Germany |
EXOTISSIMO GERMANY
Kantstrasse 80 D-10627 Berlin
GERMANY
Tel: (49 30) 31 80 57 55
E-mail: germany@exotissimo.com
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Exotissimo Partners:
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Germany |
DESTINATIONS MORE
Remscheider Str. 20
D-402115 Dusseldorf
GERMANY
Tel: (49) 211 3677 9955
Fax: (49) 211 3677 9956
E-mail: info@forstner-destinations.de
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
UK |
UNIQUEWORLD
G7, Linton House,
164-180 Union Street
Londo, SE1 0LH
UK
Tel: (44) 207 193 9850
Fax: (44) 207 502 1397
E-mail: enquiry@uniqueworld.eu
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| [CONTENT] |
|
