Dear Pulse reader,
As we fly into Q3 of 2025, we have plenty of fresh updates and exciting news to share.
After 13 years, our dedicated former CFO-turned-CTO Marcel Griffol is sadly departing Asian Trials. While sad news indeed – his passion and dedication have contributed greatly to our successes – we are delighted to welcome Sushil Mankar to take over the leadership of our Tech department. Please read more here on this change. I take this opportunity to thank Marcel for his excellent work, including the establishment of our eConnect system, as well as the many more projects he’s led and supported over the years.
The change was formally announced at Asian Trails’ AGM, which was held in central Vietnam in June. The annual meetings also allowed our leadership team the opportunity to revisit Hoi An and Danang from a travellers’ perspective. You can read more about the trip here.
Asian Trails Thailand also welcomed veteran DMC stalwart Andy Connor on board as Deputy Managing Director, to support Delphine’s move to MD.
Hot on the heels of our completed Explore brochure range series, in May we also released an updated Animal Welfare Policy and in June we announced our growing strategic partnership with Hotel Resilient – a centralised digital platform designed to equip hotel operators with practical tools to promote sustainable operations. Meanwhile, our Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia teams successfully renewed their Travelife Partner status in Q2, signaling our continued investment in our responsible approach to tourism.
From a destination standpoint, services and policies are constantly evolving, as ever.
- Visa-free access granted to Middle Eastern citizens
- Indonesian travellers gain visa privilege in China
- Five Latin American countries gain visa-free access to China
Here’s a summary of some local updates as reference, including exciting new travel possibilities are opening up with the launch of a high-speed rail route, a new expressway and several new direct flights to Asia:
- New high-speed rail and road to boost travel to Zhangjiajie, China
- Lao Airlines resumes Vientiane-Xiengkhoung route
- Sun PhuQuoc Airways to launch year-end 2025
- Vietnam Airlines expands European network to Italy and Denmark
- Air Cambodia resumes services between Sihanoukville and Bangkok
- New era in aviation with airport opening in Cambodia
- Air Arabia to fly direct to Krabi
- New e-ticket system for Thailand’s marine parks
If you’d like to stay informed on Asian Trails updates, our various social media channels will reveal the very latest travel news and events across South-East Asia and China:
- Sign up for Asian Trails’ Trailblazer monthly newsletter here
- Linked In
- X / Twitter
Laurent Kuenzle
Chief Executive Officer, Asian Trails
