| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 22/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 40 |
| Copyright: Other |
Regional report by Linsey McNeill
Indochina makes its way onto tourist map
Operators develop programme ranges
Vietnam is by far the most popular destination in Indochina for British visitors but Cambodia is also attracting a lot of new interest.The country has made a comeback in UK operators’ brochures since the Foreign Office declared its main tourist destinations safe for UKvisitors.
The introduction of more regular flights between Bangkok and Siem Reap, the gateway to Cambodia’s main attraction the temples of Angkor Wat, have also boosted the destination’s popularity.
Silverbird managing director Jerry Quinn said: “The extra direct flights to Siem Reap from Bangkok mean it is now possible to visit Angkor Wat in a day, without the need to stay overnight.”
Magic of the Orient managing director Tony Champion said: “It is taking time for people to get the confidence to visit Cambodia but it will see a sharp rise in demand.
“At the moment people only really want to go to Angkor Wat in Cambodia but I think we will see them gradually travelling further afield.”
Premier Holidays is confident Cambodia will gain in popularity and is adding the destination to its 2001 programme.
Product manager David Carlaw said: “Now that the Foreign Office says it is fine to visit and there are more flights between Bangkok and Siem Reap, I think demand will increase.”
Vietnam is also benefiting from better air access following the launch of Thai Airways’ flights from Bangkok to Danang. Silverbird’s Quinn said: “This makes it easier to see more of the country, because you can now fly into Danang in the north and out of Saigon in the south.”
Like Cambodia, Vietnam is seeing a rise in the number of UK visitors – operators believe there is a huge desire among holidaymakers to see the country before it becomes too commercialised.
“There has been a big increase in demand for Vietnam, and I think much of this is down to the fact that people want to go before it changes,” said Premier’s Carlaw. “It will do very well for the next two to three years.”
A drop in the cost of flights and hotel accommodation is also encouraging more people to visit Vietnam, added Carlaw. “Prices keep coming down because more hotels are being built and there are extra flights,” he said.
Travel 2 product manager Alistair Scott said the arrival of more cruise ships in Vietnam is also creating more interest in the country.
“An increasing number of cruise lines, such as Star Cruises, are visiting Vietnam and this will no doubt prompt many clients to return for a longer stay,” said Scott.
Destination Far East features Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in its latest brochure, offering tailor-made itineraries and a choice of tours. Some combine Cambodia and Laos or Cambodia with Vietnam.
Sales and marketing director Neil Gregory said that although Indochina does not attract large numbers of visitors, interest in the whole region is growing. This is in spite of the fact that none of the destinations has a tourist office in the UK.
“Last year we took about 200 people to Indochina and this year we will carry about 350,” said Gregory.
Specialist Bales Tours said Indochina is consistently featured in its top 10 tailor-made destinations, and its most popular itinerary combines Cambodia with Vietnam
Visitors usually spend at least two weeks in the region, although many use Thailand as their base and take two or three-night trips into Cambodia, Vietnam or Laos.
Most are travelling on tailor-made itineraries and include at least two countries in Indochina.
So little is known about Laos that the country attracts the least number of UK visitors. “We offer an excursion to Laos from Bangkok but it doesn’t do very well,” said Carlaw.
“We are hoping to expand our coverage of the destination next year to give it four more pages in our brochure.”
Golden opportunity: Laos is a growing attraction for UKtourists
sample product
Latest programme additions
Magic of the Orient: is featuring the seaside town of Phan Thiet in Vietnam, where five nights at the Coco Beach resort cost from £883 per person including flights from the UK, transfers and breakfast.
Royal Orchid Holidays: the specialist, which has Silverbird as its UK general sales agent, is offering two nights at the Furama beach resort in Danang, Vietnam, from £73 per person. The resort was added following the launch of in-house carrier Thai Airways flights from Bangkok to Danang, which has made it more accessible.