Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport #35

ASIA PACIFIC INBOUND
TRENDING DESTINATIONS
The healthy growth of tourism in Southeast Asia is due to a number
of factors. But one of the keys is in having reliable receptive
operators. An excellent example is Phoenix Voyages – run by a jovial
Frenchman, Edouard George; a key player in the local market with a long
background in the tourism and hospitality industries. We asked him what
his company’s focus is this year.
We are focusing this year very much
on our complete presence in the Indo-
China Peninsula: Laos, Cambodia,
Thailand and Myanmar, and we are
developing combined cross-country
and regional tours, allowing visitors
to go to anything up to five countries.
The authorities are facilitating visa
procedures, and regional airlines are
expanding their new cross-country
routes. Cross border tourism is very
much on the rise. In each country,
we have also developed six types of
“theme” tours. The first is based on
the architecture and colonial presence
Meanwhile, “the Land of the Morning
Calm”, more commonly known as
South Korea is still untouched by mass
tourism and offers varied landscapes,
plains and mountains. The country
offers a unique atmosphere blending
ancient traditions and unbridled
modernity.
Where are you mainly selling
product?
Our main clients are from Europe
and North America, with around a
third French speaking, a third Spanish
speaking and a third English speaking.
Edouard
George
President, Phoenix Voyages
A DIFFERENT TAKE ON SE ASIA
Exclusive Interview – Edouard George – President – Phoenix Voyages
in the regions, second is a culinary tour,
third is art and crafts, fourth is nature
– with walks every day to discover the
natural wonders of the region, fifth is
wellness, with a great focus on yoga,
tai chi, qui gong, etc., and mixing
with the local people… and the last is
religion and spiritualism.
What sets you apart from other
operators?
Consistency is a strong point. We also
concentrate on quality, so while we
may not be the cheapest, we pay a lot
of attention to quality, and thanks to
this we had 97.6% satisfied clients in
2016
Also, in January 2018 we have the
third edition of the Angkor Ultra-Trail,
on the archaeological sites of Siem
Reap in Cambodia. The new routes,
crossing varied numerous temples and
villages, from narrow paths through
dense vegetation, jungle, rice fields
(sometimes with water up to the knee)
and sandy tracks, already spiced up the
2nd edition of the Angkor Ultra Trail,
and the testimonies we received after
this race inspired us to continue.
Angkor Ultra-Trail,
Siem Reap, Cambodia.