During the upcoming high season (from 1st October 2007 to 30th April 2008), Air Bagan will change its operating schedule. Instead of operating only on Tuesdays and Fridays, the airline will fly on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

For those contemplating a career change, Exotissimo now has a fantastic option. Guests can spend time learning how to be a professional mahout or elephant handler. Participants will learn about daily care for elephants and the secrets of Thailand’s “elephant whisperers.” The mahout training course includes information on elephant health and biology, as well as painting, bathing, riding and handling elephants directly. Through Exotissimo, prospective elephant handlers will receive a traditional mahout outfit, the course is conducted by professional mahout training staff.

Contact Exotissimo Travel to explore this new career.

The Heritage Hotel will open in Sukhothai in November this year and will be in full operation by early 2008. With a total 72 rooms, The Heritage will be Sukhothai’s first superior 4-star hotel and should be attractive to series and incentive groups, as well as FIT clients looking for a more comfortable hotel under international management.

Sukhothai is one of Thailand’s most underrated destinations and is often missed by travelers that fly directly to Chiang Mai. As the cradle of Thailand’s civilization and boasting a UNESCO World Heritage ranked historical park, Sukhothai should be on every visitor’s tour itinerary. We would like to remind agents that Bangkok Airways flies to Sukhothai twice-a-day offering an interesting and affordable route to the north of Thailand.

Please don’t forget to take advantage of our special summer deals listed on our website. All agents that do not yet have passwords can apply for Travel Trade Access by following this link.

Newly opened on Kai-Bai Beach, the Gajapuri Resort and Spa is an interesting alternative to hotels on busier beaches like the White Sands or the Ao Prao. With Australian and German management taking care of only 18 deluxe bungalows and cottages, Gajapuri is a good choice for those looking for a fresh, intimate beach break.

Please contact Exotissimo Travel to book a stay at the Gajapuri.

Located an hours drive north of Surat Thani Airport or 5 hours south of Bangkok, Chumporn is a remote but still accessible beach destination that promises all the attractions that first brought intrepid travelers to Thailand. Pristine beaches, friendly people, good food, warm water and miles of empty sand. With the recent opening of Tusita Resort and the upgrading of Chumporn Cabanna, Chumporn now also has attractive and comfortable accommodation.

Both resorts are included in our updated tariffs available online or contact us to find out how to incorporate Chumporn into your next touring itinerary.

Exotissimo will be hosting two exclusive Photographic tours through colorful Myanmar. The trip will visit the country’s most photogenic and be lead by Bill Hobdell, a top expert on the region.

Bill Hobdell has been a travel photographer for 30 years. His early career was based in Greece creating travel brochures for tour operators. He then moved on to cover many other countries including Ghana, Eritrea, Senegal, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, China, Japan, India, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, as well as most of Europe. His work has appeared in many British newspapers including the Telegraph, Sunday Times, Evening Standard and the Melbourne Age in Australia. Bill has worked for many travel companies specialising in Vietnam and South-East Asia, over the past ten years travelling extensively throughout the region in order to shoot for the production of brochures as well as for his personal collection.

Bill has visited Myanmar (Burma) regularly since 1992, and the country is probably his favorite destination in the region.

Inle Lake Festival – Photographic Tour with Bill Hobdell
12 days/11 nights
13th – 24th October 2007
1130 USD
Single Supplement 190 USD
Min 10 pax, Max 15 pax + Bill

Shan Balloon Festival in Taungyi – Photographic Tour with Bill Hobdell
12 days/11 nights
14th – 25th November 2007
1195 USD
Single Supplement 200 USD
Min 10 pax, Max 15 pax + Bill

For detailed itineraries, please contact thida@exotissimo.com.

Located by the meandering Ping River, the Rarin Jinda Health and Wellness Resort is Chiang Mai’s latest exclusive health spa and resort. The property was built around a 150-year-old teak house, and updated with the latest spa technology and facilities, creating a calming, soothing boutique resort in the heart of Chiang Mai. Rarin Jinda commands gorgeous views of Doi Suthep, and is perfect for travelers looking for a modern and chic deluxe category hotel.

We are very pleased to be able to offer exclusive promotional rates at the Rarin Jinda through October 2007. Please contact Exotissimo Travel for more details.

ALTM, the Asia Luxury Travel Market, will take place in Shanghai from 18th to 21st June 2007. ALTM is the first luxury event to be held in Asia for luxury travel buyers. There will be approximately 300 international buyers from China, Japan, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Singapore, Taipei and Thailand and 300 exhibitors from around the world.

Exotissimo Travel will be present at ALTM at booth B022. Please stop by and talk to our Director of Business Development, Hamish Keith. We have everything you need to organize luxury trips to Vietnam Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

According to a high-ranking official at the Ministry of Hotels and tourism, visitor arrivals to Myanmar during the 2006-2007 fiscal year marked a 22% increase over the same period last year. According to Deputy Minster General Aye Myint Kyu, this increase was due to “a larger trend of growing numbers of people traveling to ASEAN countries.” This growth could also be due to Myanmar’s low-cost hotel options and recent easing on entry regulations. The Deputy Minister noted that the country was not yet capable of handling much more that 25% growth year on year, citing limited hotel capacity near tourist regions like Bagan, Inle Lake and Ngapali Beach.

We believe that for the upcoming 2007-2008 high season, hotel rooms will become a dear and precious commodity in Myanmar, and strongly recommend that tour operators make all of their bookings early, providing us with options should first-choice accommodations be unavailable.

Please contact Exotissimo Travel to book travel to Myanmar.