Ticking the boxes for 2024

Dec 19, 2023

Technological innovation, the creation of a unique sourcing department and the delivery of inspired products, all enhanced with sustainable approaches, were at the forefront of Asian Trails’ achievements in 2023.

These developments strengthen our ability to deliver exceptional products and services in a new year set to be highly favourable for the travel industry – with tourism in the Asia-Pacific forecast to rebound to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2024, according to Asian Development Bank data.

Asian Trails’ CEO Laurent Kuenzle said: “I believe 2024 is really going to be Asia’s year. We were the last global region to open after COVID-19, so it took longer for Asia to get back on the travel map.

“Very clearly for 2024, with borders reopened and more convenient visa-free entry offered in many of our regional countries, Asia is firmly back on the map!”

Major investment in technology has driven the expansion of our business. Our state-of-the-art B2B connectivity platform eConnect has evolved into a cutting-edge reservation portal since its launch at the World Travel Market in 2022.

Our global connectivity to hotels, activities, transfers and multi-day tour reservations at the click of a button enables us to present our products online more effectively compared to a standard brochure. We can update content, benchmark our rates and product details and share instantly with online travel agencies. You can learn more about eConnect here.

Besides new technology adoption, another highlight is the shift from a conventional product team to a well-resourced and streamlined sourcing unit.

Previously, a lot of our initial contracting was performed by the product team; day-to-day negotiations were done by inbound teams; the signing of contracts and loading were completed by the product management side; and extra allotments and securing promotions were undertaken by the commercial team.

These processes have been assigned to a dedicated larger unit of skilled professionals tasked with taking sourcing to the most sophisticated level in the DMC world.

This new approach enables us to manage contracts and relationships more efficiently, proactively engage with suppliers, engage in ongoing conversations as to how we can improve collaborative approaches, share data and capitalise on as many promotions as possible.

The sourcing team’s access to new technology has equipped them with tools to provide the best services to hotels – in particular, access to static and dynamic rates and immediate confirmation of bookings.

Laurent said: “Our sourcing innovation has enabled us to buy better, faster and more efficiently and this is reflected in improved figures. These results translate into better prices and conditions for our customers. To read more about Asian Trails’ superior sourcing team, click here.

Product delivery has also been upgraded post-COVID-19. After our destinations re-opened, many clients did not have sufficient staff capacity to accommodate new rollouts and upgrades of existing products.

Laurent said: “We are now continually connecting new customers to our online system and expanding our portfolio. We are designing new products and enhancing existing products to ensure they are fun, dynamic and meet clients’ high expectations.”

The last year also saw increased corporate social responsibility activities and a deeply entrenched commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism. For example, we took part in a collaboration to support cyclo drivers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and helped to supply water to a drought-prone village near Bagan, Myanmar.

Laurent said: “These are strong pillars in our company. It is not just about creating sustainable products – there is greater emphasis on making our existing products more sustainable and also selling more sustainable tours.” Read about our more eco-friendly transport options here and our commitment to responsible travel here.

Looking ahead to 2024, Laurent said: “The technology is in place, the product focus is in place and an experienced sourcing team is in place. This strong foundation will enable us to provide our customers with the best services possible in 2024 and beyond. The message for this next year is positivity!”

Laurent Kuenzle
Chief Executive Officer, Asian Trails

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INCLUSIONS

A full day tour with a professional English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request and may be subject to supplementary charges
Transportation by car / mini-van with professional driver.
All entrance and donation fees for visits as mentioned in the description.
All applicable taxes and service charges
Lunch at a local restaurant is included (food only)

EXCLUSIONS

Tours, inclusions of any kind and other services that are not outlined in the tour description
Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours, unless otherwise stated
Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
Single supplement charges for single travelers, where applicable
Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
Supplements for transfers for customers arriving or departing from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
Hotel expenses of a personal nature, should an overnight be included: this includes mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the program
Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)

GOOD TO KNOW

This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply.
Transfers are only operated within the downtown Chiang Mai areas and restricted to main hotels only.
Regions outside the central business district such as Mae Rim, Hang Dong, Doi Saket, Mae Taeng and Chiang Mai International Airport are excluded and supplementary charges apply.
We regret that are unable to provide pick-up and drop-off transfer services from and to apartment complexes, local guest houses or private apartments. We advise you kindly to head on your own arrangement to the nearest hotel inside the downtown Chiang Mai area.
We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this excursion; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of local restaurant.
Due to the nature of this tour, we regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Guests are advised that some walking is required during this excursion; we always ensure that we take the most comfortable ways from the entrance of the sight to the sight itself.
The road up and down Doi Angkhang is not suitable for large coaches; for group travel, note that the group needs to be split up into mini-vans. We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation.
For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
Due to the absence of ATM machines and credit cards payment portals, we highly recommend to bring sufficient cash with you. Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the excursion in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests.
It is recommendable to bring a jacket / sweater with you as temperatures on Doi Angkhang are often much cooler than around Chiang Mai.
It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package.
Any changes in accommodation outside 48 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 48 hours may be on request.

Ticking the boxes for 2024

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