FROM BANGKOK TO THE SOUTH OVERLAND Webinar series October 2018
Presenter Profile: Kim Martin Rasmussen Product & Contracting Manager - EXO Thailand Having lived and worked in Thailand as a travel professional for more than a decade. Kim s knowledge of the country is extraordinary. While working in a variety of roles from operations and sales to product., he has not only explored every corner of Thailand, but also the travel industry as a whole. Favorite city in Thailand: BANGKOK Favorite island in Thailand: KOH MOOK Favorite Thai dish: PHAD KHA PRAW Favorite season: RAINY SEASON Favorite activity: FUTSAL
EXO Thailand - What is new? Michelin Guide Pocket WiFi Refillable Bottles GPS tracking system for speeding New Flight Routes
MICHELIN Guide Nov 2018 will add Phuket 17 Michelin restaurants in BKK 3 x 2 Stars = Gaggan, Mezzaluna & Le Normandie 1 Street food stall - Jay Fai BIB Gourmand - Good Quality, Good Value Cooking MICHELIN Plates Street Food section https://guide.michelin.com/th/en/bangko k
POCKET WiFi
REFILLABLE Bottles Gift to travelers upon arrival (country/city of arrival) Capacity: 500ml Certified: SGCS tested with internal resin layer COST No logo : THB 200 / bottle Add logo (1 color) : > 500 bottles = free < 500 bottles = + THB 50 / bottle
GPS Tracking No more speeding Max 80-90 KM/h Tourist, busses, vans and cars implemented already No long distance will be possible in 1 day like Sukhothai to Chiang Rai
FLIGHT Routes Direct flights to CNX (QR) Bangkok to MHS direct (Nok Air) Bangkok to Danang (PG) Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang (FD & Lao Airlines) Chiang Mai to Hanoi (PG) Chiang Rai to Phuket (VietJet)
EXO Thailand Strategy 2018/2019: Foodie tourism - we need more food tours and one MD trip with visits at Michelin restaurants in Bangkok & Phuket (we can create in November when we know the Phuket restaurants) Use food to reach out to local communities and experiences. The Michelin Guidebook 2019 will be used to promote Thailand as an outstanding food destination. A second book is supposed to be published this November. Brand value (This ties in with our EXO encounters, so we need to keep an eye out for who TAT connects with) Enhance brand value through content marketing. Apps such as Knowing Thai will be used to attract gurus, who can be recruited as storytellers on Thai society, religion, history, culture and food. Tackling waste (Sustainability - could mean that some major sights will have limited access or will be closed down for certain months like they did with Maya Bay) Create environmental awareness by organizing more waste disposal activities. Increased tourism arrivals also increase the volume of garbage. In 2018, TAT organized 83 clean-up projects, which reduced the amount of tourism-generated waste by an estimated 10,000 kilograms. Travel routes (Off the beaten track destinations close to the major hubs, as well as new potential categorized trips that we can make based on females or millennials etc.) Boost travel and branding at secondary tourist destinations by creating travel routes that encourage travellers to move from primary to secondary cities. 2019 targets (Hopefully the 12 % increase will not only be Chinese) TAT says the target is to increase tourism revenue by 12% in international markets, and 10% in the domestic market. Balancing the drive to increase revenue and remaining a tourism leader in Southeast Asia is pivotal. The governor said it was imperative to maintain natural resources and local identity, and also prevent damage due to uncontrolled growth of irresponsible tourism.
Southern Thailand Nature & Wildlife - 10D/9N https://www.exotravel.com/tours/thailand/southern-thailand-nature-wildlife/
UNIQUE SELLING POINTS Visit and learn about Wildlife Friends Foundation Lesser known National Parks of Thailand Thailand s natural wonders and incredible wildlife Local interactions along the route Very few tourists on this stretch Overnight at floating resort of Khao Sok Island hop across Thailand s beaches at the end
OVERLAND ROUTE MAP
DAY 1 - WILDLIFE PROGRAM at WFFT A registered foundation under Thai law whose main objective is to rescue maltreated and/or neglected wild animals. They provide sanctuary for sick and disabled animals, educate people, prevent hunting and promote conservation of all natural resources. Learn about the rescued creatures at the centre and get up close and personal with the elephants. Lunch will be served at WFFT
DEVASOM, HUA HIN
Scenery of Towering Limestones Trekking Trail Phraya Nakhon Cave Fisherman Village Boat Transfer DAY 2 - KHAO SAM ROI YOT Spend a day exploring the wild landscapes at Sam Roi Yot National Park. Sam Roi Yot, which stands for Mountain of Three Hundred Peaks, was Thailand s first coastal national park and covers an expansive stretch of wetlands, limestone mountains and beaches that prove invaluable for both photos and the general experience of witnessing Thailand s natural beauty.
EVASON, PRANBURI
Ranger in Action 4WD open Pick-Up Elephant Spotting Poo Poo Paper Wild Elephants DAY 3 - KUIBURI - WILD ELEPHANTS Spend a day exploring a community village to witness some local sustainable activities such as producing paper out of elephant waste and making silk from silkworms. Eat lunch at the village before setting off to the Kui Buri National Park to observe the wildlife.
X2, KUIBURI
DAY 4 - KUIBURI - CHUMPORN It is a 3-hour ride to Chumphon. Visit Chumphon Islands National Park. Take a stroll along the amazing 1-km wooden walkway winding through the mangrove forest. Then drive up the hill of Khao Matsri Viewpoint to enjoy a stunning 360-degree view of the city spread out below. After that, head to Hat Sai Ri Beach and the shrine of Prince Chumphon, the founder of the modern Royal Thai navy.
NOVOTEL, CHUMPORN
DAY 5 - CHUMPORN - RANONG Continue to Ranong Province. Drive to Gong Valley, a community enterprise of Kraburi District in Ranong, which focuses on producing chemical-free coffee and applying hand-roasting techniques that gives the coffee a distinct aroma. This is where the sweet aroma and bitter taste of Robusta coffee comes from. Observe the process of making Robusta coffee here.
THE HIDDEN, RANONG
Mr Sup Royal Andaman Cruise Mr Kosol Rotal Palace Royal Andaman Cruise DAY 6 - RANONG INSIGHT Meet with two local experts. Mr. Sup, the owner of Baan Taen Sue House & Museum & at the Ranong Governor House meet Mr. Kosol who will explain the history of the house and show the collection of artifacts. In the evening, embark on an evening dinner cruise by the Royal Andaman. The concept of this cruise is to follow the footsteps of King Rama V who explored the region, cruising into the mangrove forest and fisherman s village. Enjoy a four-course meal during the cruise.
DAY 7 - RANONG ISLAND HOPPING Head out for a full day at the sea. Hop around three islands: Koh Gum, Koh Yee Pun (Japanese island) and Koh Khang Khaw (Bat Island). Have fun sunbathing, snorkeling and swimming. There s also the option to climb up to the viewpoint of Koh Gum to get an amazing view of the beach shaped like a half moon splitting the sea. In the late afternoon, enjoy a natural hot spring and mineral water spa in town. In the evening, stroll along the street browsing through various local products.
DAY 8 - RANONG - KHAO SOK Proceed to Khao Sok and head towards Ratchaprapa Dam which is part of Khao Sok National Park. Embark on a scenic boat ride along Chiew-Larn Lake to the Greenery Panvaree. Arrive at the Greenery Panvaree Floating Resort just in time for a delicious lunch. Then, spend the afternoon enjoying nature, swimming, and exploring the surroundings by kayak. Enjoy the boat trip along the Little Halong Bay.
PANVAREE THE GREENERY, KHAO SOK
DAY 9 - DAY ON CHIEW LARN LAKE Get breakfast and spend the rest of the morning relaxing. Eat lunch at the resort before embarking on an adventure to Pakarang Coral Cave. Trek to the emerald lagoon, then ride a bamboo boat to the cave. See the wildlife and rare plants in the rainforest. Go back to the resort to get dinner and then enjoy viewing Loy Krathong at the Holy Land of the lake.
DAY 10 - BEACH STAY
DEVASOM, KHAO LAK
ROSEWOOD, PHUKET
SHELLSEA, KRABI
CAPE FAHN, KOH SAMUI
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING You will receive the link to the webinar in a few days time. In case you have any follow up questions, please feel free to contact me on: kim@exotravel.com Stay tuned for the next webinar series from EXO TRAVEL.