Exotissimo News Blog » travel

Meet Exotissimo at IMEX 2009

Exotissimo — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:36:38 +0000

Exotissimo will be attending IMEX in Frankfurt on 26-28 May 2009. Please come and meet Eric Meriot, General Manager of Exotissimo Paris, at booth B240 in Hall 8. Click here to set up a meeting with Exotissimo. For hosted buyers, you can also click here to make an appointment with us via the IMEX website.

Meet Exotissimo at IMEX 2009

Exotissimo — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:50:17 +0000

Exotissimo will be attending IMEX which will be held in Frankfurt on 26-28 May 2009. Please come and meet Eric Meriot, General Manager of Exo Paris at booth B240 in Hall 8. Click here to set up a meeting with Exotissimo.

Exploring Yangon’s Suburbs

Exotissimo — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:05:41 +0000

Destinations in the outskirts of Yangon do not pale in comparison to those in the city. With abundance of fresh air and minimal traffic in idyllic settings, these satellite towns and nature sanctuaries make interesting excursion sites.

Located just 12km from Yangon, Insein is accessible by car (45 minutes) or circular train (a 1 hour ride). The circular train ride offers a unique and pleasant experience of commuting with the friendly locals. Insein is a fascinating town that still bears vestiges of its British colonial days. A walking tour of the Locomotive Workship reveals a train depot that is still maintaining and repairing diesel engines up to this day.

Twante is a small delta town by the banks of Twante Canal. Accessible by ferry, you can see firsthand the day-to-day lives of the fishermen and farmers as you sail along the 33km-long Twante Canal. Twante is also noted for its pottery and weaving that produce works of high quality and craftsmanship.

The Moeywingyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary is a favourite haunt for bird watching enthusiasts. It is situated 110km from Yangon just off the Yangon-Mandalay Highway. This 40-acre sanctuary was created by damming three small streams during the British colonial administration period in the late 1870s. This wetland is a breeding ground for both resident and migratory bird species such as cranes, purple swamp hens and common moor hens. A motorised canoe service allows you to explore the sanctuary and observe the rich variety of birds.

Lying at the western foothill of Bago Yoma Mountain in the Taikkyi Township of Yangon Division, the Myaing Hay Wun Elephant Camp is dedicated to the conservation and research of elephants. Covering an area of 10 acres, the camp is an interesting place to watch how the mahouts train the elephants to understand and obey commands. A wide variety of wildlife takes refuge in the area, including green peafowl, gaur, barking deer, hill myna and many more. Your guests can ride on the elephants to explore the nearby villages and experience the natural scenery of the surroundings.

Maeve Nolan – Product Manager of Vietnam

Exotissimo — Tue, 20 May 2008 02:12:15 +0000

This month we are pleased to announce that we have a new product manager in Vietnam, Ms. Maeve Nolan. She is no stranger to the travel industry having worked for Exotissimo for the last eight years as Travel Agency Marketing Manager. Born in the northern highlands of Scotland and raised in Australia, Maeve has called Vietnam home for the past 10 years and her wealth of local knowledge and love of the region give her invaluable insight into the areas vast product potential.

Visit with Exotissimo Travel at TTM 2008

Exotissimo — Mon, 19 May 2008 01:55:53 +0000

Exotissimo Travel will be attending TTM, Thailand Travel Mart 2008, the largest annual B2B tradeshow in Thailand. The show will be held during June 5th – 7th, 2008 at Impact Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Challenger 3 Hall.

Please come visit Ms. Maeve Nolan, Product Manager of Exotissimo Vietnam; Ms. Soontarut Wattanahongsiri, Product Manager of Exotissimo Thailand; Mr. Sok Lieng, Inbound Supervisor of Exotissimo Cambodia; and Ms. Thida Myint, Sales Manager of Exotissimo Myanmar. Our booth will be confirmed shortly. Please click here to setup a meeting.

Exotissimo Helps the Irrawaddy Delta

Exotissimo — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:53:45 +0000

Exotissimo has set up an emergency fund with a donation of 20,000 USD, and over 15,000 USD has been donated by our generous travel trade partners. This fund will be managed by Exotissimo until we find a trusted and effective NGO or charity to take over.

Exotissimo Myanmar has already begun providing relief services. We sent a four-person team to the hard-hit Irrawaddy River delta to assess the situation and provide immediate and direct aid. Once on the ground, our team found that families really appreciated the private donations coming direct to them. We began our efforts with funds from Exotissimo Travel and the Appletree Group, and will continue as long as these funds and those from generous donors last.

On 10th May, our team visited a village opposite the western part of Yangon where 1300 families were affected by Nargis. 300 families were made homeless by the cyclone and diarrhea has already broken out among those in the public shelters. The government plans to setup a water purification facility. Exotissimo will build a small medical clinic to help the village. The 25 ft X 25 ft facility will cost 4000 USD, and be staffed by a volunteer doctor and nurse. Local Exotissimo staff donated their own personal resources to the victims of Nargis here.

On 11th May, Exotissimo sent a truck to Phyapone and Maubin towns in Irrawaddy River Delta. In these two towns, there are many victims taking shelter in monasteries and rescue camps. Upon arrival, our staff will personally distribute goods totaling 6000 USD, including food, clothing, mosquito nets and blankets.

Hotel Situation Update in Yangon

Exotissimo — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:46:04 +0000

Exotissimo Travel would like to say “Thank you very much” on the behalf of the poor victims in Myanmar for all the kind support and every dollar donated to help them through this difficult time.

Most parts of Yangon are now getting back to normal with electricity becoming available. Gradually, many shops and restaurants are opening. The transport is back since all roads are open. Important attractions are also back to normal such as Bogyoke Market (Scotts Market), Shwedagon and Sule Pagoda. National Museum and Kaba Aye Pagoda are still closed but will open soon.

Yangon is safe now and we would like to take this chance to report on hotel situation there. Even though most of places affected by the cyclone are busy with cleaning up fallen trees, branches, leaves and other wind-blown debris, there also are hotels undamaged, with services readily available.

Park Royal: The hotel was not damaged and it is fully operational with electricity, telephone and Internet all working as normal.

Summit Parkview: The hotel was not damaged and electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

Traders Hotel: The hotel was not damaged and it is fully operational with electricity, telephone and Internet all working as normal.

Strand Hotel: The hotel was not damaged and it is fully operational with electricity, telephone and Internet all working as normal.

Sedona Hotel Yangon: The hotel was not damaged and electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

Inya Lake Hotel: The hotel was not damaged and electricity, telephone and Internet are all working.

Chatrium (previously Nikko) Hotel: The hotel’s main building and garden were not damaged. Electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

And below are those hotel slightly affected by the cyclone. Some are back to normal operation with limitations while some are sill closed due to both the cyclone and low season.

Governor’s Residence: The hotel property itself sustained some damage, while there are a few guests during this time due to the low season. The hotel is unlikely to resume operations for at least 2 months. All guests and staff are safe.

For another property, the Road to Mandalay, it is still closed due to the low season. The ship now is in Yangon and was badly damaged.

Kandawgyi Palace Hotel: The hotel faced no major damage and therefore guests can stay there without being disturbed. Some windows and roofs are broken, yet these need only minor repair work. Electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

Savoy Hotel: The hotel has been operated with generator with limited hours, and therefore the phone lines are not working properly at the moment. The hotel has been trying to get power as soon as possible. Internet connection is also not working.

Thamada Hotel: The hotel faced only minor damage. Elevators are not working at the moment but electricity and telephone are working.

Myanmar Cyclone Update

Exotissimo — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:09:54 +0000

Myanmar has experienced the worst cyclone in over 70 years. The storm hit Yangon, Pathein and the Bago area. Other areas of the country have been unaffected.

Yangon itself was badly damaged. Many trees and telephone poles have fallen, damaging electricity and telephone cables.

It will take time to repair the city.

Currently, the Exotissimo Yangon office has running electricity and working telephones, as do some hotels in Yangon. Mobile phone service has resumed.

Hotels in Yangon are trying to conserve electricity, and are limiting the use of air conditioning. Transportation costs have increased dramatically, and few restaurants have re-opened. Most tourist attractions are open, though Shwegadon Pagoda remains closed.

Hotels and tourist destinations upcountry remain unaffected, and Exotissimo Myanmar is able to redirect tours around Yangon. Clients currently traveling in Myanmar are safe and visiting destinations outside of the city. International and domestic flights are running normally.

Travel to and around Myanmar remains safe, and Exotissimo Myanmar is ready to handle any requests.

For urgent communication, please e-mail Exotissimo Travel at exoyangon@exotissimo.com. We will fax any urgent correspondence directly to Exotissimo Myanmar.

Exotissimo Myanmar can still be reached by phone and fax.

Tel: (951) 255 266 / 255 388 / 255 427 / 255 120 / 255 160 / 255 171 / 255 170
Fax: (951) 255 428

* Ma Pauk (Operations): +95 9 512 1231
* Den (French): +95 9 519 9581
* Nwe Nwe (Sales Manager): +95 9 992 6597
* Kay (Direct Sales): +95 9 501 9045
* Su Su Tin: +95 9 200 5643

The Exotissimo Travel Group is setting up a fund immediately with an initial donation of 10,000 USD to buy houses and rice. These are the two things that are urgently in need. If any agents want to contribute to this fund, they are all welcomed.

For your information a bag of rice is 40 USD to feed a family of four for a month. A house costs 200-300 USD.

Contributions of any size are welcome. Even small donations can make a large impact on someone’s life during this trying time.

Adventure Cambodia; the responsible approach

Exotissimo — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:45:58 +0000

Cambodia’s empty roads, shady dirt paths and trails and welcoming communities are a real treat for cyclists and trekkers alike. The relatively flat routes and natural scenery have contributed to a rising demand of cycling and trekking holidays to Cambodia. Adventure Cambodia has adjusted its routes to make sure that you are able to visit the best of what the beautiful countryside have to offer. Lunching with local families, enjoying visits to countryside farms and non-profit organizations and sleeping in pagodas are all unique features that will create your perfect, memorable holiday.

Adventure Cambodia understands the value of community-based tourism and supports the communities we meet on the way. Responsible travel has become an increasingly important feature for us and especially our adventure tours. We are continuing to add new elements to our tours to make sure we can accommodate this rising demand. Join Exotissimo on its cycling or trekking tours and get in touch with the real Cambodia while improving local people’s livelihoods.

Exotissimo Travel will be attending IMEX in Frankfurt

Exotissimo — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:15:37 +0000

Exotissimo Travel will be attending IMEX being held in Frankfurt from 22nd to 24th April 2008. Please come visit Mr Erik Meriot, General Manager of Exotissimo Paris and Ms. Carine Battajon, MICE Manager of Exotissimo Thailand at booth A115. Please click here to setup a meeting.