Khiri Asia Targets ‘Hot’ Indian Market

BANGKOK, 9 September 2009 – The Khiri Travel Group today launched Khiri Asia which will promote Thailand and Indochina to the Asian travel trade, starting with India.

Under the leadership of Khiri Travel CEO Ashok Kapur, Khiri Asia’s strategy will be to build partnerships with Asian travel agents sending clients to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Since 1994 Khiri Travel has specialized in servicing travel agents in Europe and North America. Khiri Asia will only target Asian regional markets with a relatively short flight time to Bangkok.

“Khiri Asia will offer authentic travel experiences for increasingly discerning travel agents in Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai,” said Mr Kapur. “High quality personal service is our core proposition. It is reflected in our choice of hotels, itineraries and supplier partners.”

The Khiri Travel Group has established its preferred hotels in the region based on criteria such as location, design, and suitability for couples, families, urban explorers or beach lovers. Many of the properties are ideal for travellers interested in special activities such as shopping, river cruises, night life, spa, ecotourism or historical buildings.

The Khiri Travel Group has eight offices across Thailand and Indochina. Khiri Asia’s prime destinations will be Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr Kapur said India was the perfect launch market for Khiri Asia. “The profusion of new airline routes out of India’s gateway cities has brought India closer to Thailand and Indochina,” he said. “The trend in the Indian travel market is for more frequent, shorter trips booked close to the travel time. The top end of the Indian market is well travelled and increasingly demands authentic travel experiences of real charm and personality. Khiri Asia is geared to serving such clients.”

Pacific Asia Travel Association statistics show that Thailand recorded a 66% increase in Indian visitors 2005-2008, Cambodia 89%, and Laos 44%. Last year Thailand received over 536,000 Indian visitors compared to only 2,652 for Laos and 12,467 for Cambodia. Despite the global economic downturn, PATA predicts that between 2009 and 2011 Indian arrival numbers will average growth of 12% a year for Cambodia, 11% a year for Laos and 6% for Thailand.

After establishing itself in India, Khiri Asia will turn to the Middle East, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Khiri Travel Group co-founder, Mr Willem Niemeijer, said: “Khiri Asia is the latest in an exciting series of new developments from the Khiri Travel Group. We will be making more expansion announcements in the weeks ahead.”

Khiri Travel and Khiri Asia will be exhibiting at PATA Travel Mart 23-25 September in Hangzhou, China and at ITB Asia 21-23 October in Singapore.

Khiri Asia can be found online at www.khiriasia.com.

Note for editors: high resolution images of Khiri Travel Group executives can be found at http://www.scottasia.net/clients/khiri/media/

About the Khiri Travel Group
Khiri Travel, established in 1994, is an independent destination management company with its own regional network. It has eight offices in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. The company’s detailed knowledge shows in its innovative itineraries, precise operations and its commitment to responsible travel throughout the Indochina region. Visit www.khiri.com.

Contact Khiri Travel Group
Head office
226/9 Tiwanon Road, Soi 24
Nonthaburi 11000 (Greater Bangkok)
Thailand
Tel:   (+66) [0] 2968 6828
Fax (+66) [0] 2968 6829
www.khiri.com

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Ken Scott
ScottAsia Communications
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www.ScottAsia.net