Bedazzled by Bangkok’s gilded palaces and chanting monks in ancient wats, I eat fiery green papaya salad at a street vendor’s stall and bicycle the waterway klongs radiating out from the languid Chao Phraya river. I have two and a half weeks in Thailand and am determined to see as many sides to the country as possible during my stay.
From cultural blast to jungle I make my way by train to the northern capital of Chiang Mai. As an animal lover I want to experience the north’s tropical wildlife, so I volunteer for a week at an ethical sanctuary called Elephant Nature Park. Being around the 100 or so elephants – all older females rescued from cruel riding attractions – is enchanting. I spend a rewarding week chopping up their fruit and shovelling out their barns.
After a week it was time to drop a few gears. I drift down to Koh Tao Island in the Gulf of Thailand to savour the warm tides and breezes that scythe through the humidity. I snorkell effervescent corals and watch sunsets with a cold beer from a beachside bar. From beach to urban break to eco-volunteering, I’d maximised my short stay and left with a more complete idea of what Thailand was all about.
A multitude of options
Many years ago this would have simply been called “travelling”. Footloose and fancy free, moving between destinations during travels, absorbing different experiences as you go. But it’s a different dynamic for those who have to fit a holiday into limited time using their modest annual leave.
Yet with evermore adventurous options available beyond the ilk of sedentary, packaged beach holidays, short stay multicentre trips are booming. These can be defined as either experiencing different locations, or perhaps even countries, in a single holiday, to partaking in varying experiences, such a cultural city break combined with relaxing beach time.
Noel Josephides, Chairman of Sunvil, explains that multi-centre trips have been pioneered by the operator since its inception in the 1970s.
“They now represent about 80% of what we sell,” he says. “Some of our multi-centres to Greece can cover up to as many as five or six different islands.”
It’s certainly a growing market, outlining that multi-centre trips require thought and effort to compile.
“We give suggested itineraries, but you have to refine these to suit a client’s taste. Some are very complicated and take many hours to put together, as they involve multiple overseas agents, individual owners, transfers, car hire, domestic flights and ferries, plus excursions,” says Josephides.
“Some involve two or more countries, for instance, the Alentejo in Portugal and Extremadura in Spain. Many of our Latin America holidays are multi-country and multicentre within these countries”.
Deborah Wadhams, Head of Long Haul Product at Gold Medal, agrees. “We have seen multi-centre bookings grow by 18% over the last twelve months. Popular destinations have included Thailand, Australia, the U.S., Bali, and Singapore – with some significant growth into Japan and Vietnam too,” she says.
“Customers want to see and experience as much as possible during their time away from home. Doing a few nights in one location and then moving to another combines different holiday styles and widens both their knowledge and memories of the destination.
“With many transport options available, a multicentre trip is great for those wishing to explore on a deeper level,” adds Wadhams.
Culture and adventure
If you’re looking to create an itinerary that seamlessly combines ancient culture and architecture with adventure then Southeast Asia offers the everyday exoticism and transport options to fashion exciting multi-centred trips.
“Southeast Asia has a vast array of different landscapes, places and people with rich cultures which vary so much from country-to-country,” says James Mundy, PR and Partnerships Manager of Inside Travel Group.
“It is the people that make places and trips special and that’s who we try and introduce our travellers to,” he adds.
Vietnam is often tied in with Cambodia and a trip to Siem Reap or Luang Prabang in Laos, but each country has so much more. Cambodia has some of the region’s best islands, swathes of rainforest, and Indigenous people. Since the introduction of the train to Laos a few years ago, travel across the country has been transformed and it is much more accessible.
The multi-centre sector is a crucial part of Thailand’s tourism industry, as many travellers seek a range of experiences within a single trip, says Worapa Angkhasirisap, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), UK & Ireland.
“Thailand is so diverse, each province has its own unique landscape, culture, food and festivals. From the bustling capital of Bangkok to tropical islands, rivers and mountains, the central plains, lush rainforests, and marine parks. It’s many holidays in one,” she says.
Sell it: Inside Asia’s 14-day ‘Laos and Cambodia Entwined’ tour explores two of Southeast Asia’s most cultured cities, Phnom Penh in Cambodia, and Luang Prabang in Laos, with adventures in between including a cycle tour of Angkor Wat and Mekong cruise, priced from £2,740pp. insideasiatours.com
Beach and nature
For beach breaks twinned with nature escapes, agents should think beyond the obvious. Aside from the Greek islands, the Caribbean or South East Asia, the Middle East, and in particular Saudi Arabia, are rising up the ranks of stand out options.
The Red Sea, although not as well-known by holidaymakers, is slated to become a big luxury beach destination, with a host of high-end hotels already setting up shop, including the St. Regis Red Sea Resort. Clients can sunbathe on vast beaches, paddle in the gentle waters, and dive in coral reefs that rival even The Maldives.
It’s natural complement is AlUla, a lesser-know enclave of Saudi, making a name for itself due to its astounding natural landscapes.
Clients can visit the Sharaan Nature Reserve, with its otherworldly towering canyons, valleys, and deserts. It’s also home to a variety of wildlife, including Nubian ibex, gazelles, and birds, and efforts are underway to reintroduce species like the Arabian leopard.
Pairing the two destinations on a single trip offers a contrast of nature experiences, one focussed on wildlife and canyon spotting and the other on relaxation.
Sell it: Destinology offers three-nights at the St. Regis the Red Sea Resort and three-nights at Our Habitas AlUla priced from £11,479pp. tailor-made-holidays.destinology.co.uk
Multi-country hopping
Multi-country trips are big business in Latin America, and are a hugely popular option as they offer clients the opportunity to see more of the popular continent in one go.
“Owing to the enormity of Latin America, visitors are likely to find it a daunting prospect to arrange a multi-destination itinerary independently – worrying about border crossings, altitude, frequency of transport, which is why these trips are highly popular,” says Laura Rendell-Dunn, Journey Latin America’s PR and Business Development Manager.
She adds that the majority of their tailor-made itineraries include two or three country destinations. For example, Chile and Argentina combine perfectly for those wishing to visit the wild and pristine landscapes of Patagonia while at the same time exploring iconic Buenos Aires and the majestic Iguazú Falls.
“Most trips, including these two neighbouring countries, offer an overland journey traversing the Andes – always a highlight,” says Rendell-Dunn.
“There’s no doubt Machu Picchu is one of South America’s most iconic sites, and with the Galápagos Islands on so many people’s bucket list, combinations of Peru and Ecuador are in high demand.”
Sell it: Journey Latin America offers a 21-day South America tour visiting Rio de Janeiro, Iguazú Falls, Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu. Priced at £5,183pp, it includes excursions and B&B stays. journeylatinamerica.com
Mark Stratton
Mark Stratton is a full-time travel writer and radio broadcaster. In between his travels he occasionally makes it home to the wild moors of Dartmoor National Park.
