Posts in category: Travel Journal

We want to say a massive congratulations to our partner Arabian Adventures.

For the fourth time, they have won the prestigious SITE Crystal Award for Excellence in Incentive Travel, Africa and the Middle East.

The award-winning project involved a multi-city event for a leading France-based renewable energy firm, hosting 80 guests from 20 different countries. In designing the event, Arabian Adventures focused on the contrast between different worlds, times, and paces between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah.

Considered the highest honour in the incentive travel industry, it is a testament to the entire team and their commitment to crafting unique, luxury itineraries whilst prioritising an unmatched client experience for groups of all sizes.

With some clients describing it as their ‘best incentive so far’, we are delighted to see Arabian Adventures get the recognition they deserve. Congratulations again, we are so proud to represent and share you with the wonderful Aus/NZ market!

Embark on an enchanting artistic journey at Ammo, a social enterprise nestled in Siem Reap. Here, the timeless craft of Cambodian jewellery-making springs to life, guided by senior designer Chantrea. Aspiring artisans find empowerment through hands-on training with traditional tools, sculpting one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

For over two decades, Cambodia has embraced a unique approach, repurposing bullets from local practice ranges as the foundational metal for jewellery. Untethered from wartime history, these recycled cartridges transform into a canvas for creative expression.

Picture the gratification as you shape raw materials into a personalised masterpiece. This immersive encounter not only enriches the local community but also etches enduring memories. Immerse yourself in the heart of Cambodia’s creativity, where each crafted piece narrates a distinctive story of skill, tradition, and empowerment, with our wonderful partner Destination Asia.

Have you heard of the silent group operating in Mumbai? Known as the Dabbawalas, they ensure that thousands receive their homemade lunches every single day.

In Mumbai, a ‘dabba’ is the stainless steel tiffin boxes, about 15cm in diameter and 30cm high. The people who collect, organize, and transport these dabbas between homes and offices are known as the Dabbawalas.

Mahadeo Bhavaji Bachche was recognised as the first dabbawala to start the delivery service for a British man upon request, around 130 years ago. This quickly transformed into a network of 5,000 people. Remarkably, the workers are semi-literate, so the system relies heavily on codes and colours.

The journey can be complex, with a single dabba encountering up to eight dabbawalas before reaching its destination. However, the Dabbawalas almost never fail to deliver the right dabba, having an error rate of less than 1 in a million, making them a model for logistics companies all over the world.

In essence, their inspiring story serves as a testament to efficiency, sustainability, and selflessness. An example to showcase how small acts, executed with precision and dedication, can make a monumental impact. Their story not only resonates with the people of Mumbai, but all over the world.

In a country where extraordinary is the norm, YONA beach club stands as a new opulent paradise on the shores of Phuket. Nestled on a multi-level boat and designed to cradle up to 300 guests in comfort, YONA is a floating paradise that must be witnessed to be fully appreciated. 

As the sun caresses the Andaman Sea, guests find their haven by the 22-metre infinity pool in their private cabana or pool bed. The rhythms of the DJ serenade the senses, a backdrop to the gentle clinks of cocktail glasses and the panoramic vista that unfolds before them. Venture up to the third-floor rooftop, where the view of the Andaman Sea greets you with awe-inspiring grandeur. 

For the discerning palate, YONA’s culinary offerings span Mediterranean, Thai, and Japanese cuisines. The talented team crafts dishes that are fresh, vibrant, and infused with the soul of each culture, perfect for a relaxed, communal style dining. 

Phuket offers the luxury of warm tropical breezes year-round, but the sweet spot for a visit is during the dry season, from November to April. 

Consider adding the YONA Beach Club into your next trip to Phuket, Thailand. The team at Destination Asia are ready to create the right program for your next group program. 

The enchanting city of Jaipur, located in the heart of Rajasthan, India, has earned the moniker “The Pink City.” While contemporary popular culture often associates pink with frivolity and the famous Barbie franchise, Jaipur’s pink heritage has a much deeper and historically significant origin. Let’s discover the true essence of Jaipur, where the colour pink tells tales of royalty and warm hospitality.

The origins of Jaipur’s nickname date back to the late 19th century when the city was under the rule of Maharaja Ram Singh long before Barbie took the world by storm. In preparation for a visit by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), the Maharaja wanted to create an impression. Pink takes on a unique meaning in Jaipur. The colour symbolizes hospitality, as well as a sense of community and unity. Thus, the Maharaja requested the city undergo a major transformation, with most of its buildings and structures being painted in the unique terracotta pink shade.

Jaipur’s architectural brilliance goes beyond the vibrant pink hue. The city boasts an array of awe-inspiring forts, palaces, and monuments, each narrating its rich history. The Amer Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, and Jantar Mantar are just a few examples of the stunning structures that showcase Jaipur’s architectural prowess.

The preservation of Jaipur’s pink heritage has been a collective effort by the local community, architects, and historians. The city administration has actively taken measures to protect and maintain the pink hue, ensuring that Jaipur retains its unique charm for generations to come.

Jaipur, the original Pink City, beckons travellers with its rich heritage and vivid charm. Beyond the Barbie pink, this city is a celebration of life, history, and warmth. A journey that will colour your memories pink and leave you with a sense of wonder and fascination.

Our team at Distant Frontiers are ready to help you to create a perfectly pink program!

Focusing on sustainability and actively promoting it is more than a nice thing to do; it is a must for any company to remain relevant and competitive in today’s world.

Our sustainability report for 2022, the first one we have produced, provides a comprehensive insight into the principles we stand by, steps we’ve taken to act more responsibly, a snapshot of where we are today, and how we intend to make improvements internally and along the supply chain in the coming year.

In our day-to-day work practices, interactions with partners and the communities we live in, and the priority we place on considering sustainability in every decision we take, we have made some great progress. But there is still a great deal more we can do, and this report also gives an indication of the direction we aim to take in the coming year.

Destination Asia’s Sustainability Report 2022 is available to view by clicking here.

Dubai’s leading destination management company recognised for designing and delivering an exceptional five-day event for BMW

Dubai, UAE, 22nd February 2023: Arabian Adventures Meetings, Incentives and Events (AAMIE) has won the prestigious SITE Crystal Award for Excellence in Incentive Travel, Africa and the Middle East for the third time.

The events arm of Arabian Adventures, the UAE’s leading destination management company, has been recognised for designing and delivering an exceptional, multi-city event for the top-performing employees of luxury vehicle manufacturer, BMW. Presented by The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), the SITE Crystal Award is considered the highest honour in the incentive travel industry.

Justine Thomas, Director of Arabian Adventures Meetings, Incentives and Events, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been recognised with this prestigious award, particularly for an event that was organised in one of the most challenging periods in the industry’s history.

“Our teams worked around the clock to deliver an unforgettable experience with a bespoke programme, featuring the unique and varied landscapes of the UAE. The participants’ overwhelmingly positive feedback is a testament to our team’s dedication and efforts. We thank our partner for their trust and confidence in our services and look forward to continuing our successful cooperation.”

Guy Le Compte, Events Marketing Manager at BMW Belux, added: “We would like to thank the amazing team for all the hard work, incredible commitment, and dedication they showed putting this event together. We are beyond grateful for the fun and inspiring vibes, outstanding service, and special care we were able to enjoy. Thank you for a truly unforgettable experience!”

The victorious event saw over 120 attendees travel from BMW’s Belgium and Luxembourg offices to the UAE for an extensive series of multi-venue activities. Across five days, guests received a vivid and varied experience of the country.

Starting in Dubai, guests were provided the chance to take in the most incredible views of the city’s glittering cityscape and coastline with a sunset cruise, a helicopter ride from the iconic Atlantis, The Palm, and a first-hand experience of some of its most unique dining and entertainment venues.

The AAMIE team also managed to gain the group exclusive access to the Belgium and Luxembourg pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai. This surpassed the client’s expectations of their request for an experience that combined the guests’ local culture with the UAE.

Following a successful ‘Dealer’s Convention’ conference, the final days of the AAMIE x BMW event culminated amidst the beautiful natural landscapes of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

Showcasing the expansive desert beyond the UAE’s cityscapes, the group stayed at the luxurious The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert and enjoyed a unique farewell dinner event from its incredible ‘Stargazing Platform’ venue, with a backdrop of rolling sand dunes.

In reaction to the extensive, multi-venue and multi-city event across its five days, 85 per cent of attendees stated that the UAE incentive ‘surpassed their expectations’.

This year’s SITE Crystal Awards, held in New York City, USA, has seen some of the fiercest competition so far, with travel, events and destination management companies from across the globe competing to take home the coveted trophy.

With sights like the Temple of Literature and the Old Quarters, a wander around Hanoi is a truly memorable experience. This experience delves a little deeper into the local culture by combining some unforgettably delicious tastes with hauntingly beautiful sounds.

Egg coffee may sound odd to a first-time visitor, but it’s a symbol of Hanoi and something everyone really must try. In a simple but cosy coffee shop with wooden chairs and tables, guests are treated to a one-hour hands-on workshop to make their own piping hot egg coffee.

This is a blend of egg yolks, condensed milk, cocoa powder and coffee made from the bracingly strong local beans, to make a creamy, luxurious drink that many people say reminds them of Italian tiramisu.

Next leg of the journey is a visit to a small house of celebrated musicians, which is virtually a miniature museum of traditional Vietnamese instruments. The host here comes from generations of flute makers.

He and his housemates are happy to chat about how they work, as well as a little of the music’s history. And they are, of course, delighted to regale their visitors with a performance of traditional Vietnamese melodies.