In April, the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels group, entered into a non-binding agreement with Singapore-based Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd. (Yoma) for a proposed hotel development in Yangon, Myanmar.

The project is subject to binding agreements being signed and the fulfillment of a number of conditions and in this connection, the proposed hotel development may or may not proceed.

The proposed hotel is located on the site of the former headquarters of the Burma Railway Building on Bogyoke Aung San Road in Yangon. It is in the central business district of Yangon, about a mile southwest of the Shwedagon Pagoda, north of the Yangon River and adjacent to Scott’s Market, which is a major tourist attraction.

The proposed hotel will be at the heart of a mixed-use development, of which Yoma is in the process of acquiring an 80 percent interest in the land development rights of the entire development.

“Following the social and economic reforms the country has made over the past year, Myanmar has seen visitor arrivals grow by 45.1 percent compared to the previous year,” said Andrew Clough, senior vice president, development, Middle East & Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.

The 21-story Hilton Yangon is about eight miles from Yangon International Airport and is part of Centrepoint Towers, a mixed-use development that includes high-end retail boutiques and an office tower. Located at No. 65, the corner of Sule Pagoda Road and Merchant Street in the Kyauktada Township, the hotel is located opposite Yangon’s High Court building and the Independence Monument Park.

As the one of the tallest commercial building in the city, hotel guests will have 365-degree views of greater Yangon and easy accessibility to the downtown Colonial quarter and business district. Hilton Yangon will offer one all-day dining restaurant, two specialty restaurants, a destination sky bar and a lobby lounge.

Last year was a record-breaking year for tourism in Myanmar which has been attributed to political reforms and the subsequent repeal of international sanctions and travel boycotts. According to the country’s Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Myanmar attracted a record breaking one million plus visitors in 2012 — a figure way ahead of 2011 forecasts.

“Constantly seeking the latest and hottest trends in travel”, says A&K Managing Director Sujata Raman, “our destination specialists have reviewed new offerings and additions to the luxury travel sector to deliver the short list of what’s hot for 2013. The list includes new and interesting destinations both abroad and close to home, where A&K delivers unique experiences in customary style. I hope this will inspire the inner adventurer in us all. Bon voyage.”

Shanxi Province, China
For the growing number of travellers looking beyond China’s traditional attractions, A&K predicts the little known Shanxi province to the west of Beijing may emerge as the perfect antidote. Off the beaten track and waiting to be explored, it is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilisation with a long history and a fascinating culture. It is home to two important UNESCO World Heritage listed cultural sites – the Buddhist grottoes at Yungang and the ancient walled city of Pingyao, where red silk lanterns glow on every street corner – and incredible natural wonders.

Botswana
While this land-locked southern African nation has long held worldwide acclaim for the quality of its wildlife and its safari experience, discerning travellers are re-discovering its remote and unspoiled charms, with diverse landscapes and abundant game and boutique camps and lodges to bed down in. The Okavango Delta is the country’s safari hotspot with the unique ‘mokoro’ (traditional dugout canoe) a favoured mode of transport. The Chobe National Park is also famous for its huge elephant numbers and, in the seemingly desolate Makgadikgadi Pans San, bushmen and quad bikes are there to facilitate visits to remote archaeological sites and desert wildlife viewing.

Sri Lanka
Plagued by decades of civil war, in recent years this idyllic island nation has emerged as one of the hottest travel destinations on the planet, with its popularity predicted to soar in 2013. There’s something for everyone here, with ancient cities, tea plantations and hill stations vying for attention alongside amazing wildlife, temples and golden beaches. The people are warm and welcoming and it’s easy to get around. Its culinary attractions are many and there are World Heritage sites and beautiful boutique hotels in abundance.

The Arctic
Ticking off travel to the Polar Regions, A&K’s seasoned expedition team has expanded its know-how in 2013 to include the High Arctic. Best known for its Antarctic adventures, the state-of-the-art MV ‘Le Boreal’ will journey in 2013 to Greenland and the islands of the Svalbard archipelago in Norway, less than 1,000 kilometres from the North Pole. Chances of seeing the mighty polar bear in its natural habitat are excellent as well as walrus, arctic fox, reindeer and the amazing flora that comes alive under the midnight sun.

Cambodia
A small jewel of a country, Cambodia is emerging as one of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating destinations. It’s easily visited for a short break or in combination with one of its regional neighbours. It has a rich culture, a weathered French-era capital, beautiful natural scenery and thousands of archaeological sites of which the imposing ruins of Angkor Wat are perhaps the most impressive. Look out too for Song Saa Private Island, an exciting new addition to the Cambodian boutique hideaway scene.

Myanmar
The well-publicised political changes in Myanmar over the past year have resulted in outstanding exposure for the country as a tourist destination. And as a result, demand for this charming destination has never been higher. Beautiful, peaceful and , it is a country that will appeal to any Southeast Asia aficionado. It has an ancient culture, wonderful monuments, friendly people, a strong textile and handicraft tradition and Buddhist festivals aplenty. Natural wonders are abundant too with the majestic Ayeyarwady River at the country’s heart, Inle Lake, little visited areas like Mrauk U on the west coast and the beaches of the far south.

Walking in Australia
As growing numbers of Aussie travellers are increasingly choosing short breaks close to home where they can combine active, even adventurous, days with cosy home comforts by night, A&K sees no signs of the popular ‘glamping’ phenomenon abating in the year to come. A luxury walking holiday ticks all these boxes and there are some outstanding choices right on the doorstep. Top picks from A&K include the Great Ocean Walk (VIC), Maria Island and Bay of Fires Lodge Walks (TAS), Arkaba Walk (S.A) and the Larapinta Experience (N.T)

Turkey
Turkey is fascinating, exotic, cosmopolitan and accessible. A 10,000-year-old history and more than 40,000 ancient sites make it one of the oldest continually inhabited regions in the world. It has a warm and welcoming culture, a mouth-watering cuisine and beautiful landscapes. For off the beaten track experiences, the eastern part of the country is a must-see, with a host of extraordinary attractions including one of Mesopotamia’s oldest cities, traditional markets and monasteries and one of the oldest Christian churches in the world where Aramaic is still spoken and written.

Brazil
All eyes will be on Brazil between now and 2016 as the XXX Olympiad winds up in London. And as hosts of the FIFA World Cup in 2014 as well, A&K predicts the country will be firmly in the international spotlight next year. It is one of South America’s most colourful nations, vast in size as well as soul. Flamboyant Rio is one of the world’s most beautifully situated cities, with beaches to die for and energy to match. It also boasts the world’s largest rainforest, longest river, widest waterfall and over 8,000km of coastline, just waiting to be discovered.

Central Asia
Colloquially termed “the ‘stans”, this collective description refers to the Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Widely undiscovered, these countries formed an integral part of the famous trade route known as the Silk Road. The vast grasslands of the area enabled merchants to travel immense distances and with the increased movement and commerce a network of cities emerged. Today’s visitor will relish the striking architecture of these grand metropolises whose names conjure up the romantic images of a bygone era – Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva to name a few – all richly endowed with history and tradition.
To enquire further information about any of these amazing destinations or to book please contact Abercrombie & Kent on 1300 851 800 or www.abercrombiekent.com.au

For further media information, please contact:
Mary Morton
spice & soul PR & Marketing
Ph: +61 3 9533 6171 or
mary@spiceandsoul.com.au

Abercrombie & Kent is the world’s leading luxury travel business. Founded as a luxury safari company in Africa in 1962, A&K has grown into a respected international travel company employing over 3000 staff in more than 100 countries. A&K organises private, tailored and escorted travel to every corner of the globe and has a wholly owned portfolio of cruise boats, luxury lodges, tented camps, hotels, and all-terrain vehicles. As part of its global commitment, A&K Australia brings a wealth of expertise, experience and attention to detail to any travel arrangements. Whether travelling solo, as a couple, with a family or in an escorted group, A&K is expert in providing luxury, experiential and memorable travel experiences. Abercrombie & Kent. Inspiring Experiences.

Visit www.abercrombiekent.com.au

Burma has much to captivate visitors, from its beautiful temples and pagodas, to idyllic landscapes and British-colonial architecture.

Now that the fascinating country is back on many travellers’ radar as it is welcoming and encouraging responsible tourism, the experienced team at Travel Indochina has provided insights into what it considers the country’s top ten highlights or ‘must do’s':
Enjoy encounters with Burma’s warm, engaging people, who have been largely cut off from the international community for many years.
Watch the sunset behind the thousands of intricate stupas dotting the Bagan Plains.
Explore the floating villages and gardens of Inle Lake by local riverboat.
See monks and nuns collecting alms and learn about their way of life when you visit their monasteries and convents in and around Mandalay, the spiritual centre of Buddhism in Burma.
Visit local villages and markets for an insight into the daily lives of the Burmese people.
Discover the Irrawaddy River by boat, a tranquil way to get around.
Wander the colonial hill stations of Kalaw, high on the pine-clad Shan hills and Pyin U Lwin in northern Shan State.
Marvel at the glittering, golden Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the world’s most breathtaking religious monuments.
Spend a few days relaxing on the pristine white sands of Ngapali Beach amidst turquoise waters and swaying palm trees.
Surrounded by untouched jungle, join pilgrims making the hike up Mt. Kyaiktiyo to the extraordinary Golden Rock.
Travel Indochina’s Managing Director, Paul Hole, advises travellers wishing to share this unique experience should not delay in making plans.

“Demand to Burma has soared over the last 18 months,” according to Paul. “Our bookings for passengers due to travel in the next 12 months to Burma has grown year on year by 532%.”

“Although we still have some availability for tours and arrangements for 2013, it is limited, so we encourage people wishing to go to book soon. At a minimum, bookings are required 6 months out at most times during the year.”

Travel Indochina offers a range of specialist tours through Burma, including 7 and 14 day Spice Road Cycling itineraries, hilltribe treks, visits to elephant camps and regional cooking classes within Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle and some wonderful overnight packages to areas beyond the ‘big four’ destinations. These unusual tours include a 4-day itinerary comprising Pyin U Lwin hill station and the remote northern Shan State region of Hsipaw.

New offerings for 2013 also include a beautiful new cruise boat by Orient Express called ‘Orcaella’ (named after the dolphins unique to the Ayeyarwady), with 25 spacious cabins featuring floor to ceiling glass doors open to the river. The ship will start cruising in July and will cruise to more remote regions of Burma such as the far northern reaches of the Irrawaddy and the beautiful Chindwin River.

The Handmade Holidays brochure also incorporates Thailand, which like Burma, remains an increasingly popular destination, with a 50% growth in the number of independent travellers and 100% increase in Small Group Journey passengers with Travel Indochina over the last 12 months.

Beach destinations remain very popular, supported by the emergence of a range of new deluxe boutique properties across the country, such as the Sala Lana and 137 Pillars House boutique properties in Chiang Mai, and The Siam in Bangkok.

For longer stays in Bangkok, properties like Ten Face provide a good alternative to traditional hotels.

Koh Phangan is moving beyond a backpacker party destination with a range of new accommodation options available for those that want to enjoy the natural beauty of the island.

Opening its arms to the world is Myanmar (Burma) its unfolding secrets include- its ancient palaces, elegant pagodas, legendary river, tranquil lakes and pristine beaches which open out onto either the Bay of Bengal or the Andaman Sea.

More info at this link.

Indonesia

An exotic collection of islands – 18,000 in total scattered around the equator; although the most visited are Java, Borneo, Bali and Lombok – Indonesia has so many hidden gems on offer.

More info at this link.

Philippines

A nation of over seven thousand islands has more than enough to offer any visitor. Apart from magical mountains and rice terraces designated one of the natural wonders of the world. (doesn’t make sense)

More info at this link.

Laos

Landlocked and mountainous with the marvellous Mekong River flowing through it, Laos is mostly covered with untouched tropical forest and until recent years unknown to all but the most inquisitive traveller.

More info at this link.

Cambodia

An ancient civilization imbues this country, which for centuries was the heart of the Khmer Empire, an empire which ruled much of south-east Asia. Relics of this powerful rule are abound throughout the land, from the magical and mysterious Angkor Wat to the walled city of Angkor Thom.

More info at this link.

Then, guests board the Viking Mandalay to sail on the Irrawaddy River to visit places such as the colonial frontier post of Thayetmyo, the Italian-built forts of Minhla & Gwechaung, the Golden temple of Mya-Tha-Lun Pagoda in Magway and the monasteries of Sale and Bagan. Passengers will also visit the pottery villages of Yandabo and the former Burmese capitals of Ava and Amarapura.

In Mandalay, the itinerary includes Mahamuni Pagoda, with its gold-leaf statue of the Buddha, and Shwenandaw Golden Palace monastery, with its teak carvings. The final stop is a return to Bangkok for flights home.

The 60-passenger Viking Mandalay was specifically designed to navigate the Irrawaddy River.

The ship, which is scheduled to be refurbished in 2013, offers a river view from every stateroom with large windows.

Fares start at $5,000 per person, double occupancy, and include 14 guided tours, river-view stateroom on the 11-day cruise, three nights in a Bangkok hotel and two nights in a Yangon hotel, most meals, port charges and complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with onboard dinner and lunch.

Laos is also home to such adventure activities as kayaking, caving and rock climbing. The sleepiest capital in the world, Vientiane has century-old temples and colonial structures. The Plain of Jars and the Mekong River islands all contribute to Laos’ ambiance. Trails of Indochina has 13 years of experience in offering tours in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Bali and China.

Luxurious Myanmar is a seven-day, six-night experience that includes horse-carriage rides, sunset cruises, wine-tasting sessions and stays at The Strand and Governor’s Residence, opulent, colonial-style hotels in Yangon that date to the turn of the last century and evoke a bygone era. The tour is normally priced at $1,670 and, at half off, the tour is $835 per person.

The price excludes international airfare, three domestic flights and any activities not mentioned in the itinerary. If the total number of Luxurious Myanmar bookings does not exceed 20 by Jan. 20, 2013, the draw will be cancelled.

Outdoor Research Bug Bucket Hat Khaki, L – With no-see-um netting to hold off the bugs, the Outdoor Research Bug Bucket Hat is an ideal choice for mosquito protection when you’re camping in buggy environments. The netting on the Bug Bucket Hat seals around your neck with a drawcord and stuffs into the crown when not in use. Made with UPF 30+ SolarSheild fabric, this Outdoor Research hat also keeps the sun from burning your head and neck. The Bug Bucket hat stuffs into a hidden pocket, allowing it to stow easily when not in use.

The country offers travelers a truly off-the-grid destination with many of the locals never before exposed to outsiders. On the 8-day, 7-night Backroads biking and hiking trips, travelers participate in an evening candle-lighting tradition at a sacred Buddhist site, travel past 2000 temples and pagodas, hike up 777 steps to the summit of an extinct volcano, visit a cave filled with more than 2,000 Buddha statues and shrines and more.

The first tour leaves Jan. 2, 2013 with dates continuing through March 31, 2013.

Already, the trip has been popular with a large number of bookings.

Complete details on Myanmar biking are available here: http://www.backroads.com/trips/BMYQ.

Complete details on Myanmar walking and hiking are available here: http://www.backroads.com/trips/WMYQ.

We can also provide photos, interviews with trip guides and planners, and detailed day-by-day itineraries upon request.