Group Managing Director Linh Le to talk about his view on the future of ASIA DMC. 

Q: How does it feel to take on such an important role within ASIA DMC?

A: It is a privilege to be aligned with a company of such great quality and vision – particularly in terms of social responsibility which is the cornerstone of all plans and strategies – and indeed growth potential. Our CEO and his team have created an exceptional foundation and reputation over the past 20 years and I look forward to making the next phase of growth equally successful

Q: How will you make your mark upon the company?

A: I want to focus on a high quality tourism product as a DMC, but we also want to associate it with sustainability and responsibility. What does this mean? We first want to work in priority with local suppliers in a bid to protect local knowledge, culture and people of Asia. I will also work at continuing the education of our guides, so they can tell stories rather than just spew out machine-like descriptions.

Q: You seem to be extremely concerned about sustainability, would you say this is true?

A: Yes we are, especially as I am fully conscious about the negative impact that tourism can also create. I know that ASIA DMC cannot be 100% clean in its activities, but this does not mean we should not attempt to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible. This is a lasting trend in the tourism industry. And after reaching western travelers, Asian consumers are now becoming more sensitive to this issue.

Q: What are the emerging Asian destinations for the years to come?

A: We see Sri Lanka as a big hit for now while Indonesia and the Philippines generate more interest in Southeast Asia as people discover the wealth of cultures spread all across these archipelagos. Myanmar softened a bit recently also I believe that its potential remains untouched. It is a truly magical destination with one of the greatest diversity of landscapes in the region, from pristine beaches to snow-capped mountains.

Q: How do you see the evolution of demand for tailored travels within Asia?

A: We see two major trends emerging and we fully agree to tailor our products after this new demand. First of all, travellers want AUTHENTICITY. Asia is extremely photogenic and exotic for travellers touring the continent but visitors want more than just nice pictures today. They want to have a glimpse of local life; they want to know more about the populations they visit.

The second big trend is the development of multi-country journeys. With the improvement of local infrastructures, better connectivity, it is easier than ever to go from one country to another, from one region to another. And this turns into a “must-do” also as weather is turning more unpredictable.