Choose fame-free Thailand beaches

Why: Khao Lak, Koh Lanta and even Koh Phangan are among trending alternatives to well-known Thai resorts for Chic Locations Product and relationship partner David Kevan explains: “They’re appealing to clients who’ve either been to Thailand before and want something authentic or feel parts of the country have lost their exclusivity; if everyone you know has been or is going, you tend to look for somewhere more aspirational.”

How: Koh Phangan is 35 minutes by speedboat from Samui. It’s known for its monthly full moon party, but Kevan says, “this small area can be easily avoided, and the rest of the island is stunningly beautiful with amazing beaches”. 

He also recommends southerly Koh Lipe, where the operator features Irene Pool Villa Resort, “easily reached from Langkawi in Malaysia and hardly known in the UK market”.

Switch the Mekong to the Ganges for cruising

Why: Mekong cruises departing Ho Chi Minh City and making stops in Vietnam and Cambodia are perennially popular, but clients may not know they could ring the changes with a cruise in India that does not involve the Keralan backwaters.

How: Starting in Kolkata, the Ganges Voyager, featured by Inspiring Travel calls at Bandel, Mayapur, Chandannagar and more, visiting temples, mosques, bazaars and the historic Plassey battlefield. Indus Experiences meanwhile offers Brahmaputra River Cruises departing Guwahati (with Kolkata as gateway) with stops for national park safaris, village walks and tea gardens.

Don’t be hung up on Kyoto

Why: With Japan interest booming, Kyoto, considered a ‘must’ on classic tours, is suffering from overtourism. “There’s nowhere quite like the city that can boast the number of shrines and temples, preserved districts and Geisha culture. 

However, there are places all over Japan that offer the culture that makes it so different and an atmosphere that stays true to the culture without the tourists,” says a spokesperson for tailormade specialist InsideJapan.

How: InsideJapan suggests Kanazawa as the closest alternative to Kyoto for its preserved samurai and tea districts and beautiful gardens, though this too is becoming popular. Among under touristed areas, it recommends Toyama for preserved traditional districts, small towns surrounded by rice fields and traditional crafts.

Twin Asia with another region

Why: While multi-centres within Asia are popular, suggesting a taste of the continent when clients request a beach destination in the Indian Ocean or South Pacific may entice newbies, besides creating more culturally meaningful holidays.

How: Among stopover options, Elegant Resorts has an 11-night Hong Kong and Fiji Escape which includes a private city tour. Black Tomato (blacktomato.com) meanwhile offers An Adventure across Cambodia, Thailand and the Maldives (10 nights) which starts with Angkor Wat, continues with Chiang Rai and Bangkok then ends in the Male Atoll. Anantara and Capella are among hotel brands featured.

Book Beyond Bali in Indonesia

Why: The UK media has run several reports about Bali becoming a victim of overtourism, fuelled by overdevelopment and social media trends. Elsewhere in Indonesia, Audley points out lesser-known Sumba is now easier to island hop thanks to new and more frequent domestic flights. “Clients like the alternative culture Sumba offers to other islands,” says Edwards.

How: Edwards highlights Sumba’s “new and fantastic” hotels such as Cap Karoso, which has 40 rooms and 20 villas, and all-villa The Sanubari which sits on a 100-hectare reserve.
 

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