TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Friday, 2nd January 2026
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Page 1574

Asian millennials turn the tide towards budget travel for Maldives

By S Puvaneswary
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Asian millennials are driving the boom in budget travel to the Maldives, observed inbound players in the atoll nation traditionally perceived as an upmarket resort destination.

This rising segment typically spends between US$80 to US$200 per night on accommodation and prefers staying in guesthouses on the local islands, although a handful of travellers will also combine a night in a resort island for the experience, Mohamed Reza, director business development at Sunset Maldives, told TTG Asia at the inaugural Travel Trade Maldives show in Malé.

Thinadhoo island; Photo credit: Plumeria Maldives Hotel

Millennial travellers from India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand have driven business up for the inbound tour agency by 35 per cent year-on-year. “They tend to look for good deals online but use the services of a travel agent for sightseeing,” Reza added.

He also noted that the biggest beneficiary of the budget segment boom are the islands located within three hours by speed boat from Malé. He added: “The challenge for guesthouses located on faraway islands outside this three-hour radius is the high airfares. It is cheaper to get to Sri Lanka from Male, compared to taking a domestic flight to these islands.”

On Thinadhoo Island, Plumeria Maldives Hotel has seen a 10 per cent year-on-year increase from budget travellers, mainly made up of young adults and undergraduates from China, Malaysia and India, said sales executive, Rial Hossain. He commented: “They tend to make use of last-minute online deals and take advantage of the low season from May to July.”

Meanwhile, daily AirAsia flights to Malé as well as discounts and room upgrades offered to credit card holders are also fuelling a spike in bookings from Malaysia to the four-star Bandos Maldives, according to sales and marketing executive Anna Nasyim. The resort is 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport.

Koh Tao grapples with battered image following tourist deaths

By Siriarpa Kamjan
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Koh Tao’s destination image has taken a beating after a string of foreign tourist fatalities in recent years raised concerns about safety and security on an island popular for diving and snorkelling.

The Thai destination came under international spotlight in 2014 when two British backpackers were found brutally murdered on one of its beaches. The latest case of the mysterious death of a Belgian woman in April, which was ruled a suicide, further fuelled press coverage about the island’s ‘dark side’.

Koh Tao

Turtle Welcome Tours’ owner Saijai Intarak said: “(The media) reported some fake news and exaggerated information, resulting in a dramatic decrease in the number of tourists. Some tourists who already booked a tour with us cancelled immediately after receiving the negative news.”

To woo tourists back to Koh Tao, the tour operator has cooperated with local authorities to rebuild the destination’s image, reduce tour prices and worked with a partner hotel to attract tourists.

Paweena Rakkandee, assistant general manager of Siamcatamaran Tours, which handles mostly domestic tourists, likewise saw a significant decrease in customers since the April incident.

The tour operator has tried to cushion the impact by selling tours in nearby Chumphon province instead.

On the other hand, a senior officer of NS Travel and Tours said sales performance for its Koh Tao tour is unaffected, as the company assesses the safety of destinations it promotes and answers the concerns of customers.

BeMyGuest closes Series A funding, gears up for further growth

By TTG Asia
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Tour and activity booking platform BeMyGuest’s total equity funding has increased to S$11.5 million (US$8.5 million) after raising an undisclosed amount from its Series A funding led by Raffles Venture Partners and technology investor Koh Boon Hwee.

SPRING SEEDS Capital, the investment subsidiary of government agency SPRING (Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board) Singapore, Chan Brothers Group, travel industry investors Meng Xiong Kuok and Leland Kwee also participated in the round.

“This Series A is an affirmation of our vision and validation of our business model. We are certain that the quality of our technology, content and customer service will take us through the next phase of growth with an extremely robust partnerships pipeline going live in 2017 and beyond,” said BeMyGuest CEO & founder Clement Wong.

Last year saw the company shift its focus onto its B2B business, putting it on track to reach the target of S$100 million in sales through partnerships with B2C travel companies.

With over 500 distribution partnerships including with Ctrip, Ticket Monster, Tink Labs, Yatra, Tuniu, Alitrip and Travel.jp, BeMyGuest connects players in such key growth markets as China, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam and India with over 4,500 suppliers of over 25,000 activities, attractions, day tours, ground transfers and events in over 900 destinations.

“By investing in BeMyGuest, we continue to develop and expand our travel ecosystem alongside capturing different market segments, as we move towards the future of travel that is more efficient and accessible to our customers,” said Anthony Chan, managing director, Chan Brothers Group.

In addition to recognising the startup’s “highly scalable technology platform”, Ted Tan, deputy chief executive, SPRING Singapore and chairman, SPRING SEEDS Capital, said: “Not only does BeMyGuest contribute (to) upgrading the technological capabilities of our local travel agents, it will also increase tourist arrivals by marketing our local attractions.”

Alongside this Series A funding is the launch of BeMyGuest Labs (www.bmglabs.com), a platform allowing suppliers and resellers to leverage BeMyGuest’s distribution network through travel technology solutions. These include supplier inventory push API, multilingual pull API, white labels, B2B agents marketplace, instant confirmation, e-tickets and revenue management.

Sabre pilots AI chatbot technology for travel agents

By TTG Asia
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Sabre Corporation has undertaken a pilot project to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can help travel agencies better serve customers through smart technology.

The travel technology company is developing an AI-powered chatbot, leveraging Microsoft Bot Framework and a selection of Microsoft Cognitive Services including Language Understanding Intelligent Service (LUIS).

Two Sabre-connected travel agencies – Dallas-based Travel Solutions International USA and San Francisco-based Casto Travel – will test a white-label version of the chatbot with travellers via Facebook Messenger.

The bot is meant to assist customers with common service and support requests, such as changing an existing flight reservation, and divert customers to a live travel agent for requests it cannot fulfil.

Such emerging technology could “provide travellers with the self-service solutions they want for routine requests while helping travel agencies provide personal service for more complex needs”, said Mark McSpadden, vice president – emerging technology and products of Sabre Corporation.

Throughout the test, Sabre and its partner travel agencies will evaluate travellers’ preferences for how often and when they engage the chatbot and when they are likely to divert to a live agent. The companies expect to gain a better understanding of the best way to engage travellers with chatbots.

Sabre Hospitality Solutions is also building a chatbot prototype that would allow travellers to shop, book and engage with hoteliers through messaging platforms, such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Twitter and SMS text messaging, as well as voice assistants, such as Amazon’s Echo (Alexa), Microsoft’s Cortana and Google Home.

Marriott, Schrager to bring Japan’s first Editions to Tokyo

By TTG Asia
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Marriott International’s Edition collection will make its Japan debut in 2020 with openings in Tokyo’s Ginza and Toranomon, both conceived by Ian Schrager, hailed the father of the boutique hotel concept.

Located just off Chuo Street, the main shopping street in Ginza, the Tokyo Edition, Ginza will be a newly built 13-storey standalone property with 80 guestrooms. Construction is expected to start in May 2018, with an opening planned for March 2020.


Artist impression of Tokyo Edition, Ginza

The 200-key Tokyo Edition Toranomon will be built within a redevelopment of the former Pastoral Building, a mixed-use project comprising offices, residences and a medical center. Located in Minato ward, the hotel site is walking distance from Kamiyacho Station and Roppongi-Itchome Station and a short drive to Toranomon Station and Tokyo Station. Site excavation work has started.

The properties will result from separate agreements with Mori Trust, the largest owner and franchisee of Marriott International hotels in Japan.

Next Story Group pens new shared space concept

By TTG Asia
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Next Story Group, recently rebranded from the SilverNeedle Group, is hoping to assert its newfound mission of reimagining urban spaces through the launch of its new community hub concept in Hong Kong and Taipei by year-end.

Named Kafnu, the concept is a blended space synthesising co-working, co-living, hotel, retail and private club – with each location meant to organically develop into a unique community for locals and visitors. Kafnu is targeted at “the new generation of creators” ranging from entrepreneurs to remote workers, artists and nomads.

Facilities will include shared work spaces, meeting rooms, communal lounges and kitchen areas, private sleep pods, gymnasium with personal trainers, and a craft whisky bar.

Morris Sim, chief marketing officer of Next Story Group, said: “The new generations in Asia live in shades of gray: working, playing, living, learning, and resting all blend together in their worlds. Kafnu is a concept designed precisely for their lifestyles. They have different needs, so we built a different space just for them.”

With their diverse technology, media and creative communities, Hong Kong and Taipei are seen as ideal first locations for the first Kafnu shared spaces.

In Hong Kong, Kafnu will open within Kerry Hotel in the Hung Hom area of Kowloon; while in Taipei, it will occupy a 12-storey building in the Songshan neighbourhood, just three minutes’ drive from the city airport.

Kafnu is inviting entrepreneurs, hoteliers, chefs, bartenders, fitness gurus “or anyone with a particular talent” to audition to run and operate its Hong Kong and Taipei spaces. Cash subsidies of up to US$250,000 will be granted those selected. For more details and to submit an audition, visit www.kafnu.com.

TripAdvisor, Deliveroo team up for food delivery deal

By TTG Asia
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TripAdvisor will integrate food delivery service Deliveroo’s restaurant network into its mobile web and mobile app experiences across 12 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

With this, consumers browsing TripAdvisor restaurant listings will have the option to order food from Deliveroo’s restaurant partners, which total over 20,000 in the relevant markets. Clicking the “Order Online” button will take them to Deliveroo’s online or mobile platforms where they can place their orders.

The integration expands TripAdvisor’s food delivery service into 12 new countries: the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.

“Through this partnership with Deliveroo, we aim to give our restaurant listings a new way to engage with the TripAdvisor community – both at home and on-the-go… and new services like food delivery create incremental value for both businesses as well as consumers,” said Bertrand Jelensperger, senior vice president, TripAdvisor Restaurants.

TripAdvisor aims to “serve as a one-stop shop for diners around the world”, he added.

New hotel openings: Jackalope Hotel, Harbin Wanda City and more

By TTG Asia
0

Jackalope Hotel
The 46-key Jackalope Hotel has opened in Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula. Set on a vineyard, rooms range from the 38m2 Terrace or Vineyard View to the 85m2 Lair, the latter boasting an expansive 30m2 terrace that overlooks the vines, a double-sided indoor/outdoor fireplace, a six-seater indoor dining table, kitchenette, cocktail bar and a personal wine cellar. Regardless of category, the price of a stay includes complimentary mini bar, daily breakfast and Wi-Fi. Amenities on the property include a 30m-long infinity pool, two F&B options named Doot Doot Doot and Rare Hare, as well as a winery and cellar door.

Harbin Wanda City
Wanda Hotels & Resorts has opened the Harbin Wanda City – comprising 252-room Wanda Vista Harbin, 395-room Wanda Realm Resort Harbin and 415-room Crowne Plaza Harbin Songbei. The hotel cluster’s recreational and entertainment facilities include nine F&B options, an outdoor theme park, an indoor skiing court, an indoor ice rink and movie park. For meetings and events, the three hotels in total boast 16 conference and banquet rooms with a 6,500m2 of space, and more than 30,000m2 of outdoor lawn area.

 

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Kota
Offering 85 rooms and suites, the Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Kota is the first international brand to open in the Indian city of Kota. Rooms come furnished with complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, minibar, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and satellite TV. Aside from four restaurants and bars, the hotel also has wellness facilities such as a rooftop swimming pool, spa, steam room and health club. There is also a 1,858m2 outdoor garden and 948m2 of indoor meeting space for corporate events.

Shangri-La Hotel, Yiwu
Part of the 52-storey mixed-used Yiwu World Trade Centre in Zhejiang Province, the property offers 362 rooms and suites that start from 48m2 and 96m2 respectively. The property also offers 136 residences that come with a living and dining area, and a kitchen. Amenities include three F&B venues, a spa, fully-equipped gym, an indoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna and steam rooms. For meetings and events, the hotel boasts more than 3,880m2 of event space, comprising 11 functions rooms and a 2,000m2 pillarless Grand Ballroom with the capacity for 1,000 guests banquet-style.

Alila Ubud
Alila Ubud has launched six new Terrace Tree Villas – five one-bedroom units and one exclusive two-bedroom unit with a private pool. The new one-bedrooms have about 80m2 of indoor space, adjoined by a 43m2 outdoor garden and courtyard, while the two-bedroom unit spans 190m2, which includes a 40m2 private pool. All villas are furnished with complimentary Wi-Fi, a 40-inch LCD TV with satellite, 300-threadcount bed linen, an indoor bathtub, outdoor rain shower and jet shower. Facilities on-site include Spa Alila, Cabana Lounge, Plantation Restaurant and a 25m-long infinity pool.

The dark side of dark tourism

By Marissa Carruthers
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Slaughter sites and killing fields are a major money-maker in Cambodia, but is this right? Marissa Carruthers reports the dark side to them as the kingdom moves on from the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime


Skulls of torture victims resting in a stupa at the Killing Fields outside of Phnom Penh

As a country ravaged by decades of war, Cambodia is littered with former slaughter sites, killing fields and bitter memories for those who survived. While Angkor Wat remains the main tourist draw, the capital’s barbaric S-21 prison and nearby Choeung Ek – one of the largest killing fields – also top the list of attractions.

S-21 or Tuol Sleng – the political prison where an estimated 17,000 Cambodians were tortured to death or sent to be slaughtered at Choeung Ek between 1975 and 1979 – receives 500 visitors daily, with more than 800 a day venturing to the Killing Fields during high season.

And while most international tour operators omit it from their itineraries, many tourists seize the opportunity to include the shooting range in the popular Choeung Ek-S-21 trip. Here, large sums of money are paid to fire AK47s, rocket launchers and other ageing weapons.

Pierre-Andre Romano, general manager of EXO Cambodia, said: “This is definitely not tourism. It’s voyeurism. You can go and learn about the Khmer Rouge, then pretend to be one? That isn’t right.”

According to Elizabeth Becker, a war correspondent who covered Cambodia throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Cambodia’s genocide tourist attractions should not exist. In her book, Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism (2013), she accuses the country’s dark tourism industry of being exploitative and disrespectful to those who died, and those who survived.

It’s ‘education’
However, Kimhean Pich, CEO of Discover the Mekong, disagrees. He said these dubious attractions not only drive tourism but provide a way to educate the world, and Cambodians.

He said: “For local people, these are places to learn about our bitter history and to make sure we avoid repeating (the same) mistake in the future. For tourism, it is a unique product and attracts many visitors. Other countries can create similar events, temples and infrastructure, but they can’t make up a history like ours.”

But Romano argues it is time for Cambodia to “turn the page” and start promoting the country’s other unique products, such as the wealth of community projects, rare wildlife and rural living. He added Exo Travel includes the Killing Fields and S-21 on tours due to high demand.

He said: “Of course, these sites are necessary for the education of Cambodians and to help the country understand and move forward. But for tourism, no.”

As visitor numbers to genocide-related sites increase, reports of vandalism and disrespectful behaviour are on the rise. At Choeung Ek, visitors have been found collecting bones. Inappropriate selfies are often snapped in front of the blood-splattered torture tools at S-21 and graffiti sprawled across images of Pol Pot.

Last year, outrage erupted when Pokemon Go players stormed S-21 to capture characters. It resulted in the game being banned.

This is an issue Pich said needs to be tackled, with tour guides and agents having a role to play.

He said: “Before they visit the site, visitors need to be clearly informed about their behaviour. It is difficult for tourists to truly understand what our dark history means to us. Even some Cambodians have difficulty understanding, unless their family, relatives or they themselves experienced the regime. Guides and tour leaders must translate those memories to be understood well by tourists and ask for their respect.”

One organisation that is using tourism as a tool to educate and help the country heal is the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam). It has spent the last few years working in the remote area of Anlong Veng, the final Khmer Rouge stronghold.

Home to 14 landmarks, including Pol Pot’s cremation site and home of infamous commander Ta Mok, the area is predominantly inhabited by former Khmer Rouge cadres, who are exiled from society.

Two years ago, DC-Cam opened Anlong Veng Peace Center, and has developed many of the sites, adding information for visitors. In July, it will start training local tour guides, and has encouraged former Khmer Rouge soldiers to share their experiences with visitors, many of whom are currently Cambodian students.

“Our main objective is to promote memory, justice and reconciliation,” said centre director Ly Sok-Kheang. “We believe this can be done through dialogue and education. If a visitor really wants to learn about the Khmer Rouge, Anlong Veng is the best place to start and it can be developed into an important historical and educational tourist site.”

Sinan Thourn, chairman of PATA Cambodia Chapter, agrees that dark tourism has a role to play in preserving the turbulent past. But it needs to evolve and the focus shift away from the macabre, such as the skulls and bones of Choeung Ek or the harrowing cells of S-21.

He said: “Why can’t we add cultural elements? Villages next to Choeung Ek can open (their homes to) homestays, or show what happens to Cambodian people when they die and put on Buddhist funeral ceremonies for visitors. We can’t forget Cambodia’s history but we can’t just keep bringing people to these settings.

“Often when foreigners think of Cambodia, they think of landmines, genocide and Pol Pot. There is much more than that and there needs to be more promotion of the alternatives to get rid of this bad image.”

 

Big ships making big waves

By Paige Lee Pei Qi
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Cruise lines are pulling out all the stops to entice potential customers in the emerging Asian market. Paige Lee Pei Qi highlights what the major cruise lines are offering in their latest and upcoming pipeline

 

Dream Cruises
Latest: Genting Dream is the first ship under Genting Hong Kong’s new premium cruise line Dream Cruises. Launched in November 2016, the 150,000-tonne ship was designed specifically for the Asian and Chinese markets and can cater 3,400 guests (see review on page 14).

A key highlight is the exclusive Dream Palace suites and garden penthouses, which include European-style butler service, private pool and lounge, and spacious rooms with luxurious amenities. As well, more than 70 per cent of the ship’s cabins have balconies facing the ocean.

Other highlights include the world’s first Johnnie Walker House at sea, Penfolds Wine Vault, Zouk beach and night club, and more than 35 restaurants and bars, as well as family-oriented facilities like water slides, a rope climbing course, rock climbing, mini-golf, arcade, cinemas and the Little Pandas Club.

Genting Dream

What’s coming: Dream Cruises will launch World Dream in Asia in November 2017. The sister ship of Genting Dream, the newer ship will target the growing demand for luxury holiday travel in the region and offer exciting new destinations and programmes.

The 21-deck World Dream will be able to accommodate over 3,300 guests in 1,700 staterooms, of which 70 per cent have private balconies and over 100 offer connecting rooms.

Facilities onboard will include a spa, over 1,000m2 of luxury shops, six water slides, a Zouk nightclub, as well as numerous F&B options. Special attention will also be given to the meetings and incentive market, with numerous spaces and services designed to accommodate group needs.


Norwegian Cruise Line
Latest: Norwegian Joy is Norwegian Cruise Line’s first purpose-built cruise ship customised for the Chinese market. Just launched in June, the 3,850-guest ship will sail from her homeports in Shanghai and Beijing (Tianjin) beginning in summer 2017. It will feature The Haven by Norwegian, the line’s exclusive, ship-within-a-ship suite luxury complex, which includes an observation deck that features 180 degree views.

Other innovative features include a first-at-sea, two-level Ferrari-branded racetrack on the ship’s top deck, an open-air laser tag course, simulator rides as well as hover craft bumper cars and two multistorey waterslides. In addition, Norwegian Joy offers the line’s largest upscale shopping district, complete with duty-free shops to world-renowned global luxury brands.


Ferrari racetrack on Norwegian Joy

What’s coming: At approximately 167,800 gross tonnes, the 4,000-guest Norwegian Bliss is scheduled for delivery in spring 2018 to become the brand’s 16th ship.

The third ship in the line’s Breakaway-Plus class, Norwegian Bliss’ hull artwork was designed by marine life artist Wyland and will feature images of humpback whales to showcase the importance of conservation and ocean preservation.

After her inaugural summer season in Alaska, Norwegian Bliss will seasonally homeport in Miami from November 2018 to offer seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises, featuring calls in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean International
Latest: Ovation of the Seas, which is Asia’s largest and one of the world’s most technologically advanced ships, was launched in April 2016. This was the first time Royal Caribbean International deployed a brand-new ship to Asia, underscoring the region’s vast cruising potential.

The 18-deck, 4,905-guest Quantum Class ship homeports in Tianjin, Hong Kong and Sydney, and features several new Singapore sailings next April.

It offers a wide array of next-generation features exclusive to Royal Caribbean, such as the iFly skydiving simulator and the North Star observation glass capsule that rises 90m over the sea.

There’s also SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea – housing bumper cars, roller-skating, circus school, basketball court, among others.

The 10-storey Ultimate Abyss slide on Ovation of the Seas

What’s coming: The world’s largest ship at 230,000 gross tonnes, Symphony of the Seas will be delivered in April 2018. This 18-deck 6,780-guest Oasis Class cruise ship will feature 28 more staterooms than sister ship Harmony of the Seas.

Guests will enjoy the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea touting a 10-storey plunge, the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, interactive aqua park Splashwater Bay, the Bionic Bar, as well as the ZipLine, AquaTheater, Boardwalk with the carousel and Central Park, the first living park at sea. Also, there are 20 dining outlets onboard, to give guests diverse dining options.

Symphony of the Seas will begin her inaugural season in the Mediterranean to offer three- and seven-night cruises from Barcelona calling at Palma de Mallorca, Provence, Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples. Following which it will offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale for winter 2018-19.

Costa Cruises
Latest: From April this year, Costa Cruises has based Costa neoRomantica in Asia to offer new itineraries covering destinations in Japan, South Korea and Russia. The fifth Costa ship to be based in Asia, the 1,800-pax Costa neoRomantica recently underwent a 90 million euros (US$101 million) makeover.

As part of Costa’s neoCollection cruises, the newly restyled Costa neoRomantica boasts contemporary interiors designed by Tillberg Design, a Swedish architectural firm, and Syntax, the London-based company specialising in prestigious hotels and spas. It also brings the concept of “Italy at Sea” to Asian passengers, with the new Go Costa, Let’s Festa! campaign introduced across Costa Asia’s fleets in 2017.

A Veranda Deluxe room on board Costa neoRomantica

What’s coming: Two new Costa ships will be built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The ships, each with 135,500 gross tons and carrying 4,200 guests, will be delivered in 2019 and 2020. They will be operated by Costa Asia, whose new ships are worth a total investment value of more than six billion euros.


Princess Cruises
Latest: Majestic Princess, launched on March 31, 2017, is the largest and most luxurious ship in the Princess Cruises fleet. It has a guest capacity of 3,560, with 1,780 staterooms spread over 19 decks.

A highlight on Majestic Princess is the two speciality restaurants created in collaboration with renowned chefs: La Mer, A French Bistro by three-Michelin-star chef Emmanuel Renaut and Harmony by Michelin-awarded chef Richard Chen.

Majestic Princess’ other star features include the largest duty free shopping at sea with 1,100m2 of luxury boutiques, and the Princess Luxury Bed available in all staterooms. Other facilities include karaoke rooms, an indoor swimming pool and a newly-rebranded Youth Centre in partnership with Discovery Communications for young cruisers aged three to 17.

La Mer on Majestic Princess

What’s coming: Regal Princess will be the first ship in the Princess Cruises fleet to boast the revolutionary Ocean Medallion Technology which will go live in November 2017, followed by Royal Princess and Caribbean Princess in early 2018.

Replacing the electronic key card, the wearable coin-size device can be worn on a wristband, as a pendant, in a clip or simply placed in a pocket. The Ocean Medallion experience is designed for an effortless, personalised vacation, starting with swift embarkation, and require no log-ins, passwords and tapping of the device against anything.

 

Small and intimate journeys
By Yixin

Avalon Waterways
Latest: Avalon introduced its suite ships to South-east Asia with the debut of the Avalon Siem Reap in March 2015, sailing between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, followed by the launch of the Avalon Myanmar cruising the Upper Irrawaddy.
With a capacity for 36 guests, both ships were built smaller than their European counterparts to allow them to traverse narrower sections of the Mekong and Irrawaddy rivers.

Cabins measure 23m2 and feature open air balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows measuring 4.3m acoss.

What’s coming: The Avalon Saigon, scheduled for launch in 2018, will share identical features with its sister ships, and is likewise built small to make manoeuvres through narrower waterways possible.

“With a maximum capacity of only 36 guests, our smaller Mekong and Irrawaddy suite ships invite travellers to see the world differently by sailing into surprising places other ships cannot,” explained Terri Burke, managing director of Avalon Waterways.

All three ships in Avalon’s South-east Asia fleet will sail the new 18-day Heart of Cambodia & Vietnam itinerary in 2018, cruising the Mekong River through Cambodia and Vietnam.

Pandaw
Latest: Champa Pandaw was launched in September 2016 with 14 staterooms measuring 14m2. The two-deck vessel is fitted with an extra powerful engine to take on the strong rapids of the Upper Mekong, allowing Pandaw to pioneer sailings from Laos to China’s Yunnan Province, including Luang Prabang, Pak Ou Buddha Caves, Chiang Khong and Jinghong.

However, these reconnaissance journeys are subjected to changes and the possibility of having to transfer to speedboats in the low water season (December to March).

What’s coming: While Pandaw does not yet have plans for new ships it will debut a seven-night Irrawaddy Delta itinerary in March 2018, according to Sven Zika, a company spokesperson.

Katha Pandaw’s journey will begin from Yangon to Pyapon via the Twante Canal. It stops at Bogale, a historic trading port, before sailing across the delta to Myaungmya and heading up to Bassein. The ship then sails for Wakema, before winding down at Maubin and cruising back at Yangon.

Heritage Line
Latest: Heritage Line birthed the 46-pax Anawrahta in March 2016, unveiling one of the largest cabins and suites sailing the Irrawaddy river.

Deluxe cabins span 32m2 while suites range from Junior (48m2) to Executive (59m2) and Palatial Royal (86m2). Suites in the highest category were also given an added touch of luxury in the form of private Jacuzzis.

The Anawrahta also boasts a 1:1 crew to passenger ratio, and offers amenities such as a spa and pool deck.

What’s coming: Heritage Line may have retired its 10-year-old Ginger in February this year, but its namesake – a brand-new 12-suite ship – is expected to hit the waters of Halong Bay in mid-2018.

Heritage Lines’ director of sales and marketing, Andreas Schroetter, told TTG Asia that the new Ginger will give Halong Bay its only ship with a pool on the sundeck. Further details were not available at press time.

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