The Khiri Travel Group will launch Khiri DMC at PATA Travel Mart in Hangzhou, China this week. Khiri DMC will function as a dedicated destination management company within the group. The DMC will deliver services for travel agents and tour operators sending clients to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. The DMC will be strictly for B2B channels.
 
To serve specialist travel needs, the new DMC will have three service divisions: Khiri Gold, Khiri Lotus and Khiri Naga. Khiri Gold will create inspirational travel solutions for the demanding top-end of the market. Khiri Gold clients will be individual travellers, private groups and institutions seeking the best tailor-made itineraries. Khiri Lotus will specialize in putting together creative mid-priced itineraries for series of groups. Its programs and accommodations will be characterised by a style, heritage and personality that reflect the indigenous local culture, resulting in a more rewarding travel experience.

Khiri Naga will create flexible travel options for individuals who value independence, informality and freedom of choice. Within Khiri Naga, innovative travel and accommodation components will be linked together for intrepid travellers on a budget. "Specialisation will allow Khiri DMC to exceed expectations, both in the communication process and in delivery of the product to travellers," said Willem Niemeijer who co-founded Khiri Travel in 1994 with fellow Dutchman Frans Betgem.

Khiri DMC ground programs will be coordinated from the Khiri Travel Group's eight offices across the Mekong region. "Three separate service teams within Khiri DMC mean we can deliver highly detailed, personal attention to our clients," said Mr Betgem.

After attending PATA Travel Mart in Hangzhou southern China 23-25 September, Khiri DMC will attend ITB Asia 21-23 October in Singapore and the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Brunei in 26-28 January 2010.

"The economic recession is ending and travel queries are definitely picking up," said Mr Niemeijer. "We've noticed more requests for combination programs that link multiple destinations across the Mekong region. We believe 2010 will be a solid turn-around year for the industry," he said.