Something for every traveller
Solo travellers
BANGKOK should be
right at the top of
solo travellers’ list
of cities to visit, says
Lesley Simpson, South
African representative
of the Tourism Authority
of Thailand (TAT), with
the Grand Palace always
making a good jumpingoff
point.
Younger solos tend
to base themselves
at Khao San Road,
the centre of the
backpacker’s universe.
“Located in central
Bangkok, the road has
shops on either side, as
well as a wide choice of
cafés and restaurants.”
The islands are also
suited to singles of all
ages. For the youthful,
Lesley recommends
Koh Phangan, which
is famed for its monthly Full Moon
parties, which attract over 20 000
tourists a year. She says the island,
neighbouring the popular Koh Samui,
is lush with a tropical jungle interior
and white, sandy beaches.
There are many other islands to
the east and west of the mainland
that appeal to backpackers, but the
better-known ones, such as Phuket
and Koh Samui, as well as beach
resorts such as Pattaya, Hua Hin and
Krabi, have facilities
to attract singles,
from budget to the
most sophisticated
of travellers. Even
the Phi Phi islands,
once a strong magnet
for travellers on a
shoestring, now have
magnificent four- and
five-star hotels.
Lesley recommends
Phi Phi for its choice of
beach hotels, fun and
entertainment.
She says singles
visiting Phuket should
not miss Bangla
Night Walk. “Bangla
Road offers a lively
atmosphere, lots of
bars and massage
parlours and cheap
beer – it is worth a visit
just to check it out.”
John Ridler, PR
and media manager of Thompsons
Holidays, recommends Phuket’s Kata
Beach as a ‘surfing Mecca’. For
singles wanting some memorable
diving, he suggests Khao Lak, on the
west coast of the mainland, north of
Phuket.
In the hilly, northern reaches of the
country, John says singles can join
groups of travellers on set itineraries,
discovering cities like Chiang Mai and
Chiang Rai, into the Golden Triangle.
Couples
Whether your clients are
adventurous couples, or looking
for a romantic getaway, Thailand
will not disappoint, says Taryn
Agliotti, consultant director of
Sure Travel 24-7. “There are
many incredible beach resorts in
dreamy settings,” she says, also
identifying Khao Lak as a suitable
option, which, is “much quieter
than other beach resorts”.
Couple-friendly resorts that
John recommends in Phuket are
the Rawai Palm Beach Resort
on Rawai Beach, as well as Kata
Sea Breeze, Kata Palm and the
SIS Kata, all on Kata Beach. On
Phi Phi he suggests the Phi Phi
Bayview Resort, Phi Phi Island
Village Resort and Zeavola Resort
& Spa and in Khao Lak, the
Briza Beach, Khaolak Merlin and
Bangsak Merlin hotels.
Something a little different for
couples is the five-star Village
Coconut Island, on its own island
in the scenic Phang Nga Bay,
which separates Phuket from the
mainland.
In terms of couples’ things
to do, Lesley recommends the
following:
In Phuket, an exploration of
Old Phuket Town for its shrines,
temples, museums and quaint
cafés, or a game at Red
Mountain Golf Club, touted as
one of Asia’s best.
In Chiang Mai, a visit to the
mountain-top Doi Suthep Temple,
reached by 500 steps or a lift; a
stop at one of dozens of smaller
temples to receive a blessing
from a local monk; or the Flight
of Gibbons zip line for thrillseekers,
along with a sighting of
the endangered gibbon monkey.
In Chiang Rai, the hill tribes and
the White Temple will appeal to
the culturally inclined. “A special
place to visit is The Golden
Triangle, an intersection where
three countries – Laos, Myanmar
and Thailand – meet,” she says.
Did you know?
Thompsons Holidays is expanding its Thailand product range to include adventure
travel and cycling tours. These will include day cycle tours or up to 10-day trips
where travellers cycle through a variety of the regions. Also new to Thompsons
Holidays is Ramanya Water Park in Pattaya, which offers a fun-filled experience in
one of Thailand’s most popular attractions.
Families
Thailand is well equipped for
families and children. While Taryn
says it is usually best that families
to stick to the beach areas –
especially if they have small
children – Lesley points out that
there are lots of family-friendly
attractions throughout Thailand to
explore.
Siam Park City, Bangkok’s largest
amusement and water park, is
home to over a dozen rides and
several large water slides. Says
Lesley: “All family members are
guaranteed a tremendously fun
time.”
A lovely beach for a family
outing is Railay Beach in Krabi.
Some families choose to base
themselves there, but for those
staying further away, it can be
reached by long-tail boat ride.
“This spot makes for a fantastic
day visit with its beautiful beach
and rock climbing,” says Lesley.
From Phuket, a cruise of the
Phang Nga National Park with its
dramatic limestone cliffs makes
a wonderful day excursion and,
depending on the ages and
interests of family members, can
include canoeing, exploring of
mangrove forests, swimming and a
beach barbecue.
Children will also love the Splash
Jungle Water Park in Phuket, says
John. “The waterpark features
exciting slides such as the Super
Bowl and Boomerango, as well
as a wave pool, 335m of long,
lazy river, an aqua park and pool,
family raft ride and much more.
Getting away from the ‘same old’
FOR those who have already
experienced all the most popular
landmarks in Thailand, TAT’s Lesley
Simpson says there is still a long
list of off-the-beaten track places to
explore. Khao Sok National Park, a
nature reserve in southern Thailand,
tops her list. “The park contains dense
virgin jungle, tower-like limestone karst
formations and the Cheow Larn Lake.
It is home to rare species such as
the giant parasitic Rafflesia flower,
hornbills, gibbons and even tigers,”
she says.
Thompsons Holidays’ John Ridler,
recommends the northern regions of
Thailand for a life-changing experience.
“A visit to the hill tribe villages will
humble even the most hardened soul,
while tuk-tuk self-drive packages in
Chiang Mai allow you to explore at
your own pace – true adventure!”
he says, adding that agents should
make sure that a client’s travel
insurance policy covers this activity
before they book.
For those who wish to unwind without
the masses of tourists you see in Phi
Phi, Lance van den-Heever Liebenberg,
md of Marmalade Toast Bespoke
Travel & Destination Management,
recommends Koh Lipe and its
uninhabited, undeveloped surrounding
islands. “It is breathtakingly beautiful
here. You can camp under the stars
on one of the neighbouring islands
or spend your days snorkelling and
enjoying the marine life,” he says.
Ko Lipe lies near the Malaysian
border in the Tarutao National Marine
Park, known for its coral-rich waters. It
has some good dive sites and is home
to an aboriginal Malay people known
as the Urak Lawoi.
Did you know?
Singapore Airlines and its partners operate to the following destinations between
Singapore and Thailand: Bangkok (Singapore Airlines, six daily), Phuket (SilkAir, five
daily), Chiang Mai (SilkAir, 12 weekly), Koh Samui (SilkAir, twice daily) and Krabi
(Scoot, daily).
Increased air access to drive growth
THE Association of
Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) aims to become
a united, single destination.
The 10 countries that
comprise ASEAN are working
to develop land, rail and air
connectivity in line with the
ASEAN Tourism Marketing
Strategy 2017-2020
guidelines. This was clear at
ATF 2018, which was themed
‘Sustainable Connectivity,
Boundless Prosperity’.
Four tourism areas have
been identified by the
representative countries,
Weerasak Kowsurat, Minister
for Tourism and Sports in
Thailand, told media at the
event. Cruising, gastronomy,
investment and communitydriven
tourism are regarded
as mainstays that will help
drive this vision.
The Minister referred to
Thailand as the gateway to
the region, explaining that
the country had the best
border connections, with 30
overland border connection
points alone. Thailand has
seen an increase in the
number of international
and regional flights into the
country. 2017 saw more
than 18 000 international
flights landing in Chiang Mai
alone, with Qatar Airways the
most recent airline to launch
direct flights into the city. In
addition, Jetstar Asia started
four weekly services between
Singapore and Hat Yai, the
fourth Thai link for the airline.
Thai Airways reinstated its
Bangkok-Vienna route last
year and more CanadaThailand
flights are expected
to come online soon.
Vietnam Airlines announced
at ATF that it was the first
in south-east Asia to place
an order for a A321neo.
Vietjet launched direct flights
between Phnom Penh and Ho
Chi Ming City in 2017 while
Cathay Dragon increased
capacity on its Hong KongYangon
route.
Singapore saw additional
United Airlines flights come
online from Los Angeles.
Scoot started a SIN-OsakaHonolulu
service as well
as three weekly services to
Harbin, and Silk Air launched
a direct flight between SIN
and Hiroshima.
ASEAN has committed
to further develop and
strengthen cruise tourism in
the region due to its potential
for high economic growth.
Lionel Yeo, chief executive
Singapore Tourism Board
(STB), said while cruise
tourism was still a budding
product in south-east Asia,
there was much potential
for it to grow. STB is the
lead cruise co-ordinator for
ASEAN and it will continue to
collaborate with the ASEAN
tourism community to develop
infrastructure in south-east
Asia. Last year, Seabourne
christened its Encore in
Singapore.
Gastronomy tourism is
seen as an integral pillar to
developing tourism in the
ASEAN countries. Ministers
at ATF encouraged intraASEAN
co-operation to
support sustainable food
production and consumption
while promoting deeper
understanding on gastronomic
tourism in the region.
An important development
was the signing of the ASEAN
Framework Agreement on
Facilitation of Cross Border
Transport of Passengers by
Road Vehicles. The agreement
promotes seamless overland
travel, particularly for those
travelling by coach.
Work continues to create an
ASEAN Common Visa and is
seen as an additional way to
boost tourism to the region.
The continued development
of ‘inclusive tourism’ in
the region was highlighted,
and member states were
encouraged to invest in
tourism infrastructure that
could meet the needs of
senior citizens, women,
children and people with
disabilities. The Minister said
a joint marketing strategy in
the ASEAN region meant that
the countries could share
expertise. “Together we can
reach the world in ways that
we can’t on our own.”
Shona Pittaway, md
of Perfect Destinations,
commenting on ATF 2018,
said: “The show was
excellent. I find so much
value in meeting our suppliers
face to face. With the show
being hosted in Chiang
Mai this year it was a great
opportunity to visit northern
Thailand again.”
As Perfect Destinations was
a specialist Far East operator,
she said ATF was a great
opportunity to see suppliers
from across the Asia region.
“Through product updates,
experience sharing and
common passion, we time
and again come away newly
enthused with opportunities
to promote the region in ways
that best match our clients’
expectations.”
Thompsons Holidays product
assistant – international,
Torshie Obodai, said: “ATF
was highly beneficial. Meeting
suppliers face to face and
touching base personally
further enhances our
partnerships. It was a good
experience overall and TAT
went all out in preparation for
the entire show. There was a
good attendance of sellers,
not only from Thailand, but
also from the other parts of
the Far East, which is always
a plus for the buyers.”
Torshie added: “Thompsons
Holidays is working closely
with TAT to support its
strategy of communitybased
tourism and social
responsibility, in the selection
of tours relating to the
conservation and well-being of
animals. We have increased
demand into the northern
regions on the SA market.
We will continue to do so, to
support sustainable tourism,
as well as promote enticing
packages to further grow the
region.”
ATF 2019 will take place in
Vietnam.
