Paul Strachan’s Pandaw River Expeditions make an amazing wave. For the period of 2015/16, there are exciting new projects on the horizon for everyone to enjoy, namely in Myanmar, India, Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam.

For instance, travel from Myanmar’s Yangon to Pyay by coach and then onwards aboard the Pandaw II on an amazing 10-night Ayeyarwaddy journey to Bagan and Mandalay. Departures are from July 2015 to February 2016. Prices are from only USD3676 per person sharing a main deck state-room.

Other options are the new 20-cabin Kalaw Pandaw and Kindat Pandaw cruises weekly between Bagan and Mandalay, covering the main historical cities and sites of “British Old Royal Burma”. Then changing ship in Mandalay, with a night in a 4-star hotel, you join the 10-cabin Kha Byoo cruise ship that launched in November this year, for an expedition into the wilderness of the Upper Ayeyarwaddy. Highlights will be the passage through the 3rd and 2nd defiles, not to forget visits to some enchanting local towns, the most favorite being Katha, once home to George Orwell and the setting for the novel “Burmese Days”. Further up, Bhamo in Kachin State is now a big trading town with a strong Chinese influence. We will then continue on the cruise ship, if water conditions permit, or by local boat, to enter the awesome 1st defile with its cataracts and towering gorges. One domestic flight to/from Bhamo is included, either to Mandalay or Yangon.

Furthermore, it is now quite easy to fly into Sittwe from Yangon with daily flights. From the port town Sittwe in Rakhain, enjoy a weekly cruise departing every Friday on the 16- cabin Katha Pandaw, which will start in November 2015. This enables passengers to combine the Rakhain State with other weekly cruises that will connect with it – for example the Chindwin River or Bhamo cruise - and to be announced very soon, the Thanlwin River (Salween) from Mawlamyain in Mon State to Hpa-an and beyond in Kayin State.

For the most adventurous travelers, discover the Ganges and Hooghly Rivers in India from Varanasi to Kolkata aboard our custom-built partner ship MV Rajmahal. Led by a Pandaw cruise director, enjoy the same level of Pandaw service, excellent cuisine and authentic excursions with knowledgeable guides. Pre/post extensions in Delhi, including a day trip to the famous Taj Mahal in Agra, and Kolkata are also available. Special launch prices are available for bookings up to 31st December 2014 - 17 days from only USD 4,950 per person based on sharing a twin main deck state-room.

Furthermore, the elegant RV Laos Pandaw will traverse Laos to touch Thailand and Myanmar at the notorious Golden Triangle. From Vientiane, the once sleepy “Old French Capital of L’Indochine”, this will be the first river expedition since pre-war days to cross most of the northern part of Laos and to touch Chiang Khong in Thailand.

The cruise ship will stop two nights at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang with its dazzling wood-carved monasteries and then cruise on deep into the mountains, through rapids and gorges on our high-powered little cruise ship. There will be visits to tribal villages and explorations into jungle and countryside. As with all Pandaw River Expeditions, itineraries are an indication only and in the first year you have to anticipate many a change!

Also, Pandaw River Expeditions are pleased to announce the launch of an upstream and downstream expedition on the Mekong River next summer that offer you the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful extended exploration of the Mekong Delta in Viet Nam and a visit to the protected area north of Kratie in Cambodia, where rare river dolphins can be observed.

The expeditions operate on the luxurious RV Mekong Pandaw, with its shallow draft enabling exploration to areas other vessels simply can’t reach. The ship also boasts the highest staff to guest ratio of any ship in the world, a spa and even a small cinema!

Last not least, enhance your special “Red River Expedition” in Northern Viet Nam with a stay in the luxurious Sofitel Plaza Hotel in Ha Noi from only USD128 per person sharing a twin room including transfers or enjoy a 5-day extension including 2 nights at the Victoria Resort in Sa Pa, a memorable overnight journey on the elegant “Victoria Express Train” to Ha Noi and 1-night at the Sofitel Plaza Hotel in Ha Noi. Prices are from USD1175 per person sharing a twin room/compartment.

Please always remember: Rivers are the lifelines of our planet. For further information, please go to: www.pandaw.com

Visiting the old Cambodian port town of Kampot at the end of last month, I was informed by Mr. Chamnan Neak, General Manager of the Kampot Diamond Hotel, about the fact that Kampot is heading to become an important cruise ship port. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2015.

Kampot: Sunset over the river. (Photo: Wikipedia)

According to a newspaper article in the Nation from November 25, the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) envisions a passenger pier and 1,500 square meters of a landing area on 4 hectares of land on the east bank of the scenic Toek Chhou River. The chosen site will be about 10 kilometers downstream from Kampot at the edge of Kampot Bay, which is part of the Gulf of Thailand. The whole project will come to about US$40 million.

The new pier would make Kampot accessible to all kinds of marine traffic from ports such as Sihanoukville and Kep in Cambodia and Ha Tien in Viet Nam. Also, there would be a sea connection possible directly to the popular Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc, which lies just 12 kilometers southwest of Kampot off the Cambodian coast. The journey from Kampot to Phu Quoc presently takes some hours, including a minibus trip some 40 kilometers across the international border to Ha Tien and then a passenger ferry boat from Ha Tien some 45 kilometers back to the island. Alternatively, a direct ferry route from Kampot would cut the trip short and get the travelers to the island even without a visa, as most nationalities can nowadays visit Phu Quoc by air directly without a visa.

The Ministry of Tourism estimates that the proposed pier and associated facilities could create some 2,500 tourism-related jobs. So far, only a few tourists, mostly backpackers, venture to Kampot and stay there for a period of time. From Phnom Penh, there is a new minibus service run by Giant Ibis Transport, which needs some 3 hours to reach Kampot on Highway No.3 some 150 kilometers away. The price per person is USD8.

There is a saying that the gods created heaven first, but then they made Kampot. The city is located up the estuary on the banks of the Toek Chhou River and was established as the main port of Cambodia in the late 1800s. It remained so until the 1950s, when there was a deep sea port built at nearby Kampong Som or Sihanoukville. After the devastating period of the Khmer Rouge Regime (1975-79), Kampot became a sleepy provincial town, but its charm lies in its colonial architecture and the attractive riverfront, which is overlooked by the majestic Bokor Mountain, part of the Elephant Mountains.

The Bokor hill-top community was built in the early 1900s, as the 1,000 meter elevation provided a pleasant climate for a French colonial hill-station. The 34 kilometers road to the top was built by prisoners, who died during the construction. A hotel opened in 1925 together with a casino, Catholic Church, school, post-office, Royal Residence and houses, which were all supported by a 200-strong population.

Today, Bokor Mountain is now part of the Preah Monivong National Park and the former buildings are just ghostly ruins. In recent years, the mountainous road was rebuilt and the splendid 5-star Thansur Bokor Highland Resort & Casino established. When I entered the premises, I was greeted by the Front Office Manager Mr. Nun Sida, who showed me around the property, including the new casino building. More than 1,000 employees work here. The General Manager is presently an expatriate from Belgium. Furthermore, there is the impressive Popokvil Waterfall nearby, where the water charges incessantly to provide a pool at its base to swim. Wildlife is still around.          

Finally, Kampot is celebrated as the capital of the Durian fruit. But most of all, the town is famous for its pepper plantations and extensive salt fields. As there are only a few beaches within easy reach of Kampot, most tourists use to take a day trip to the seaside town of Kep, some 25 kilometers away to the east, where there is a daily fresh crab market with restaurants. There is a small beach near a huge mermaid statue and a little bit further away is a small port to reach Rabbit Island or Koh Tonsai. To reach Kep, which is also the capital seat of a new province, you can hire a local Tuk-Tuk for around USD15 return. The trip is rewarding to pass scenic Khmer rice farming villages and Cham Muslim fishing villages. All in all, the countryside looks like a part of paradise and I hope it will stay like this.

For further information, please contact GMS Media Travel Consultant Reinhard Hohler, based in Chiang Mai/Thailand, who can be reached by e-mail: Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!

Re-scheduled to the dates of December 12-14, the annual Cambodian Sea Festival was successfully held in Koh Kong Province this year. Under the straight theme “Coastal Ecotourism – Green Development”, some 150,000 visitors were expected to join the activities, mainly along the “Golden Mile” in Koh Kong at the eastern bank of the Koh Pao River.

Arriving in Koh Kong from Kampot by bus (11USD per person) on November 30, I arrived early to witness the preparations to be made to beautify the city. Especially, the riverside promenade was cleaned up, as all the small food stalls and beer stations had to be moved away, the flimsy wooden boat piers were dismantled and the illumination pillars painted and electrified. On the north side of the Koh Kong Bridge, which was already inaugurated on April 4, 2002, to reach the Cham Yeam international border crossing with Thailand some 10 km away in the west, there was already a modern public park established, while the new Koh Pao Garden Restaurant nearby offers authentic Khmer food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

On the full moon day of December 6, a colorful longboat race competition on the river was conducted early in the morning under the supervision of the Governor of Koh Kong and it was there that I met Mr. Sreng Hong, Director of Civil Service Department, Koh Kong Province, to inform me about the coming of the Sea Festival within a week’s time.

In the connection of “Cambodia Bay” as the rising star of the Southwest and its listing as one of the most “Beautiful Bays of the World”, Koh Kong is part of the development of coastal Cambodia, which also comprises the provinces of Preah Sihanoukville, Kampot and Kep near the border to Viet Nam. Becoming an ideal eco-destination, Koh Kong is only a comparatively small town, but with a lively market. To the north and east of the city, the jungle-clad Cardamom Mountains cover much of the province, offering trekking, biking and river excursion possibilities. Heading south of Koh Kong, secluded beaches line the pristine coastline and the big island of Koh Kong.

There are a number of mid-range guesthouses and hotels in town, such as the Apex Koh Kong Hotel as well as the Koh Kong City Hotel and Asian Hotel at the riverside. Upscale is the Koh Kong Bay Hotel on the riverside, same as the Koh Kong Resort with its lavish casino-hotel complex and swimming pool at the Thai border. For dining purposes are the Bay Café and Café Laurent, both offering superb sunset views over the river. Actually, there is the newly opened “Wood House” in a side street towards the market, which has as good “fusion” food menu and is owned by a young Frenchman and his Khmer wife. When I was there, the music played was excellent, consisting of Bob Dylan songs.

During the time of the Sea Festival, the whole riverside promenade was closed for traffic, which is light compared with traffic in Phnom Penh and other bigger cities. What the Sea Festival had to offer was the following:

• International Food Fair
• Tourism Development Project Exhibition
• Live Concert
• Cultural Performances & Fireworks
• Beach & Water Sport
• Aero Show Activities

The aim of the Sea Festival seems to highlight the busy development of the Cambodian coastal provinces and to show the establishment of the new “Cote d’azur” of Cambodia. Investors are welcome.

The Sea Festival, now in its third year, was organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Koh Kong Province, National Olympic Committee of Cambodia as well as the Ministry of Commerce. Interesting to note is that the main sponsor of the event was Angkor Beer, while co-sponsors were Cambodia Airports, Canada Bank, Sokha Hotels & Resorts, NagaWorld Phnom Penh, and surprisingly BMW from Germany among others.

In the future, there will be the booming of the already established Koh Kong Special Economic Zone, Kingdom of Cambodia, where the South Korea-based Motor Company Hyundai operates a car assembly plant next to some Japanese companies, in a planned joint venture with Hat Lek, Amphoe Klong Yai of Trat Province in Thailand. But let “green development” prevail.

ASEAN TOURISM PRESS RELEASE
11 NOVEMBER 2014

MYANMAR’S VITAL TOURISM ECONOMY CONSISTENT WITH ASEAN

INTERVIEW WITH

H.E. MR. UHTAY AUNG, UNION MINISTER OF THE MINISTRY OF HOTELS & TOURISM

H.E. U Htay Aung, the Union Minister
for the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism

Could you tell us about the role tourism plays in the economy of Myanmar? How did tourism perform over the last few years?

Myanmar’s geographical situation and abundant natural resources play a vital role in the country’s emerging tourism economy. The overall number of tourist arrivals to Myanmar in 2013 increased by 93 percent to 2.04 million visitors compared to 1.06 million visitors the previous year. Tourism receipts of Myanmar also increased, notably by 73.4 percent from USD 534 million in 2012 to 926 million in 2013.

Since Myanmar’s Government is pushing ambitious economic reforms, could you highlight some new important policies for tourism development?

As Tourism is a national priority sector of our country it needs to define the policies to develop systematically. Henceforth we adopted the respective policies concerning tourism development. Successively we developed and launched a “Myanmar Tourism Master Plan (2013-2020)” and Policies on “Responsible Tourism” and “Community Involvement in Tourism”. Currently, we are developing an “Ecotourism Policy and Management Strategy” as a new important course of action, cooperating with other line ministries and regional development institutes.

As you mentioned, the Tourism Master Plan is a milestone in the development of Myanmar’s tourism. Please, share with us the current implementation status of this plan.

In regard to the Myanmar Tourism Master Plan we are implementing six strategic programs within a time-frame of eight years (2013-2020).The Master Plan designated 38 fundamental priority projects. My Ministry, so far, has been implementing 14 projects of capacity building and the development of destination management plans. These projects cover areas, such as Strengthening Institutional Structures, HRD, the Development of Destination Management Plans, Infrastructure Development, and Product and Service Quality Enhancement.

Last year we reformed the core structure of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and provided HRD and capacity building to all stakeholders in the tourism industry in Myanmar. To systematically develop the tourism sector, a Central Committee for the Development of National Tourism, chaired by the Vice President of Myanmar, has been formed.

Currently, the Ministry has taken the lead in the setting-up of Destination Management Organizations in every State and Region, while aligning the new Myanmar Tourism Law in accordance with the country’s precipitous tourism development.

Regarding the overall development of ASEAN tourism, are Myanmar’s key tourism policies and future tourism development in line with ASEAN’s tourism policy direction?

As above-mentioned, Myanmar’s Tourism Master Plan and its policies on Responsible Tourism and Community Involvement in Tourism will be used as a roadmap to shape the future development of tourism in Myanmar. All those policies are in line with ASEAN’s Tourism Policy.

How important is the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) at the end of 2015? In that respect, what preparations are made by Myanmar for its tourism sector?

In the process of the establishment of the ASEAN Community, the accomplishment of the ASEAN Economic Community is very crucial. ASEAN Economic Ministers declared that 82% of prioritized measures are implemented.

To realize the AEC, the active participation and dedication of the private sector is a must. For that, the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is conducting Seminars, Workshops, and Symposiums to raise the awareness of AEC by educating and convincing the private sector cooperating with other line Ministries, the Myanmar Tourism Federation and other congenial Associations.

From Myanmar's perspective, which critical issues need to be addressed in the new ASEAN tourism strategy for the coming 5 to 10 years?

The Ministry foremost attaches high importance to addressing "Barrier Free Tourism" in the new ASEAN tourism strategy. Tourism is for all kinds of human beings, disabled people not being an exception. Tourism can generate new hope and inspiration for them. So far, we should create special equipped barrier free destinations in order to facilitate their travel motivation as well as to provide a better world.

What needs to be done to enhance tourism cooperation amongst ASEAN Member States?

I would like to highlight the saying "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much", quoted by Helen Keller. Coordination, cooperation and collaboration are significant. Harmonious functioning, common effort, and joint planning are always needed for all cooperation efforts amongst ASEAN Member States.

In January 2015, for the first time the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) will take place in Myanmar. How is ATF's importance viewed and what could delegates expect from this important regional event?

We are absolutely proud and delighted of being ATF 2015 host country for the first time in history! The benefits from this unusual event for Myanmar, as an emerging tourism destination, are unquestionable. It surely will strengthen the country's tourism sector development.

I do believe all ATF participants will gain a great deal of tourism and related opportunities at this juncture.

Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!(PR Consultant to the ASEAN Tourism Marketing & Communication Working Group)