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Luzi Matzig in TravelAsia
For and Against, TravelAsia, February 27, 1998
Evan Jones, managing director, Riau Island Adventures, Batam,
Indonesia
As one of the region's smaller and more specialised ground operators,
I find that European and US outbound operators are increasingly
asking us about other available eco-adventure travel programmes
in ASEAN.
Evidently, longhaul inbound visitors want to see more than just
one place during their visit to Asia.
As the number of small specialised operators, such as ourselves,
continues to grow, the need for a single point of information
grows too.
There seems to be an emerging information gap in Asia's travel
industry.
There should be a one-stop, multi-destination booking service
where information on ASEAN's growing number of specialist travel
options is consolidated, so that a busy travel agent in Vienna
or Waco, Texas can quickly find data on, say, walks in Kunming,
rafting in Sulawesi and cycling the Riau Islands.
A growing number of ASEAN travel agents have the words "eco",
"nature" and "adventure" in their business
names. But, from our experience, only a tiny minority of staff
in these agencies actually understand what nature-aware inbound
guests look for.
Having never personally experienced eco-adventure travel, too
many travel consultants fail to understand that this new animal
comes in many forms. For example, a 75 year-old eco-tourist is
probably looking for a different level of price, comfort and activity
than a 25 year-old.
The bulk of Asia's travel industry has yet to learn how to accurately
align tourists' expectations with what the recommended package
actually provides. All too often, the result turns out to be an
unpleasant experience for all.
I personally have yet to find an ASEAN-based travel agent who
could truly be called an eco-adventure travel wholesaler. If one
came into being, I think they could build themselves a very successful
business in the big outbound markets.
AGAINST
Luzi Matzig, group general manager, Diethelm Travel, Thailand
Sure, there isn't a single operator covering the whole ASEAN region
and doing only eco-adventure travel. But there certainly are many
operators doing eco-adventure travel in several ASEAN countries.
Diethelm, for instance, operates eco-tours in Thailand, Laos,
Cambodia, Myanmar, Yunnan and Malaysia, both mainland and east
Malaysia. It does not mean we only operate eco-adventure travel.
It's part of our services, just like hotels do not only go after
the business travel market.
Of course we are less specialised compared to one who does, say,
only rafting. But there are advantages. Larger operators can offer
better prices, for one.
It does not mean you are not as good as the specialists if you
don't specialise. The level of commitment you have on any product
is more important. In this day and age, you could also combine
expertise with other partners and specialise in offering any product.
The best place for information is the PATA Adventure Travel
Mart.
In Kota Kinabalu, East Malaysia, we tie up with Borneo Expedition
which specialises in eco-adventure travel. In Thailand, we run
two eco-lodges ourselves - the Lampang River Lodge and the Hmong
Hilltribe Lodge.
We are committed to eco-adventure travel, even though we are like
a supermarket offering different types of products on the shelves.
We operate nine eco-adventure programmes in Thailand alone.
I also don't think there's a gap of information about ASEAN's
eco-adventure travel programmes. The best place for information
is the PATA Adventure Travel Mart. There, you can meet various
people related to this type of product - be they specialists or
not.
There's also the Internet. Use any search engine and you will
get anything in no time at all.
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