A popular destination with Thais, Hong Kong has a well-deserved reputation as a shopping mecca. But it’s also a great place to discover art, design and culture and the best way of doing this is by taking a stroll through Old Town Central towards the historic site-turned-creative hub PMQ.

Old Town Central brings together unique tourism hotspots in both Central and Sheung Wan districts and the Hong Kong Tourism Board has designed five themed walking tours – “Tasting Hong Kong”, “Time Traveller”, “Crazy for Art”, “Treasure Hunt” and “Something for Everyone” – to offer visitors endless avenues as they experience the vast and vibrant Central district. The attractions include but are not limited to colonial monuments, temples, art galleries, antique stores, street art displays, popular restaurants, rooftop bars and local delicacies.

I choose to set out on Hollywood Road, one of the first roads built in the city and home to a canvas of graffiti and street art, most of it tucked away in the streets and alleys that intersect the road.

The first piece of street art that I come across is Alex Croft’s colourful mural of old townhouses on Graham Street, which is very popular on social media. Next up are Danish urban contemporary artist Christian Storm’s eye-catching mural of two koi swimming on a wall on Shing Wong Street, which combines his trademark geometric elements with Chinese culture, and Japanese artist Shingo Katori’s “Large Mouth Dragon Boy” on Shelley Street, his first artwork accessible to the public outside Japan. Wanting to bring good fortune to Hong Kong and visitors from around the world, he decided on a lively colourful dragon, a powerful symbol in feng shui.

I’m so engrossed in admiring the street art that I don’t realise how far I have walked until I reach Aberdeen Street from where it’s an uphill trek to PMQ, one of the biggest conservation projects in recent Hong Kong history.

“The revitalisation project has kept something of the original,” says Chuek Yiu Wong, senior executive of corporate communication and tourism marketing at PMQ Management and also my guide.

Before it was revitalised into a centre for all things creative and design-based, the PMQ was known as the former Police Married Quarters. It housed the very first dormitory open to junior Chinese police officers from 1951 to 2000, as well as the Central School, the first government school to provide Western education to the Chinese from 1884 to 1944. Its alumni include the founding father of the Republic of China Sun Yatsen, casino tycoon Stanley Ho, and businessman Lee Hysan.

After it was destroyed in World War II, the 6,000-square-metre site was developed as the first dormitory for married Chinese police officers and their families, with two seven-storey buildings housing single and double rooms accessed from an open-air corridor.

Architecturally, the buildings have remained as they were with retaining walls, granite steps, and relics, and with the residential units converted into an eclectic mix of boutiques, studios, and cafes. Interiors remain simple with concrete walls painted white while window frames and railings have been restored to their original teal colour. A newly constructed bridge linking the two parallel buildings over a central courtyard doubles as an indoor event space and rooftop garden.

In 2014, the hub was opened with more than 100 retail-studio units and 15 pop-ups of around 40 square metres each, along with a multifunction event space called The Qube. Old residential units have been converted into small boutiques and design studios selling handmade products from jewellery to homeware. Pop-up stores from international designers are also a common occurrence at PMQ and the regular night markets are particularly popular among design enthusiasts.

I have lunch at the cat-themed Garden Meow restaurant before wandering around several shops on the ground floor. I stop at Gong Fu Teahouse, which enthusiastically cultivates the Gong Fu tea arts culture and holds regular tea arts workshops. Found Muji prides itself on being the first independent store in Hong Kong to make use of various raw materials and traditional technology to remake discarded items into goods that fit the modern life while sustaining the craftsmanship and value. Sukigi Swim boasts swimwear that has been thoughtfully designed to bring character and femininity to each costume. Kapok, meanwhile, has an authentic yet approachable take on fashion and design.

The second floor is home to Harrison Wong with original contemporary apparel and accessories for urban males and KMC Design, which makes unique innovative jade jewellery with an oriental touch. Up another flight of stairs is Bamboa Home, purveyor of green eco-products made of locally harvested bamboo, BlkSheep Empire Footwear, which brings an explosion of colour and textures to shoes, and Waka Artisans showcasing the very best of Japanese culture through hand crafted ceramics.

The fourth floor hosts the premises of Vanessa Tao who strives to capture the feeling of life and energy in light and effortless garments, Cilocala offering sneakers and rucksacks, Eravolution, a multidisciplinary design studio for architecture, furniture and homeware. Up on the fifth, I wander into 513 Paint Shop, a boutique offering environmentally safe and green house paints for homes and interiors and look at AaaM, a studio that believes architecture is an network of ideas encapsulating urban conditions, public interests, political agenda, snapshots of technologies and philosophies. I linger at Taste Library and browse briefly through its collection of 3,000 books covering different food cultures from around the globe and finish my tour with Lumio on the sixth floor, which gives people the freedom to experience beautiful lighting.

PMQ also offers “Hong Kong on Steps”, an unique art project that brings together local and overseas artists from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, France and Hong Kong to create stair paintings inspired by the vibrant and diverse Hong Kong landscape.

“PMQ serves as a platform to connect local design talents to both local and international markets. In order to help local talents to continue to grow and flourish, PMQ provides rental discounts and also sponsors the designers to participate in different overseas trade shows and fashion shows, which helps them gain international exposure,” says Chuek Yiu.

“Since our opening in 2014, the designers have been able to continue to make and develop substantial and steady progress.”

IF YOU GO

– To get there, take Exit 1 of MTR Sheung Wan Station, turn right on to Des Voeux Road Central, then right to Gilman’s Bazaar. Go straight towards Queen’s Road Central. Walk along Aberdeen Street for around seven minutes to reach PMQ.

– Or take Exit C from MTR Central Station Exit C and walk along Des Voeux Road to the Hang Seng Bank Headquarters, which is linked to the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator. Take the escalator to Staunton Street and turn right. PMQ is about three minutes on foot.

– For more information, visit http://www.PMQ.org.hk.

The new mobile application increases channels for more customer reach as well as customer service.

“The new developed application under the name ‘Thai Airways’ improves the customer travel experience, making it more convenient for return customers as the new app will save information from previous searches and the passenger’s past travel itineraries. The application makes it easier for customers to make reservations, payments, check-in, and check other information before and after the journey, as well as other THAI promotions and special offers,” says Wiwat Piyawiroj, Executive Vice President, Commercial.

The new mobile application offers new capabilities, such as flight information and travel itinerary, travel reminder, Royal Orchid Plus membership services, E-Boarding Pass within the application, displaying flight details on smart watches that are linked with the application, and other services such as hotel reservation, car rental, and travel insurance.

Passengers who apply for Royal Orchid Plus membership from today onward, then log-in, make flight reservations through the Thai Airways mobile application, and travel with THAI will receive 3,500 miles.

The Thai Airways mobile application may be downloaded through the App Store (iOS operating system) and through Google Play (Android operating system).

 According to the year’s booking data from Agoda, beachside city Pattaya has been the 10th most popular Asian destination.

Tokyo is No 2, followed in descending order by Hong Kong, Osaka, Taipei, Seoul, Singapore and Bali, and then Pattaya.

Thailand ranked second-most-booked Asian country this year. “From historic temples and sparkling white sandy beaches to rich culture and world-famous cuisine, it’s no wonder why Thailand continues to draw in travellers from around the world,” Agoda says.

 Japan has claimed the crown for top Asian country overall, the credit going to “ephemeral sights like cherry blossoms to the endless quirky, wonderful experiences such as robot cafes”. Malaysia ranks third.

Thai travellers have mainly enjoyed domestic trips in 2018, with Japan and Singapore the most popular countries further afield.

Agoda says Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Phuket have been the top five destinations in Thailand for Thais, followed by “laid-back destinations” Khao Yai, Chonburi, Krabi and Chiang Rai.

Tokyo appeals to Thais because it has no visa requirements, additional flight routes and diverse cultural highlights.

Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon (C) reacts after winning the 68th Miss World contest final, with runner-up Miss Thailand Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan (L), Miss Belarus Maria Vasilevich (2L), Miss Jamaica Kadijah Robinson (3R), Miss Panama Solaris Barba (2R) and Miss Uganda Quiin Abenakyo (R) in Sanya on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on December 8, 2018. // AFP PHOTO

De Leon was crowned the 68th Miss World at the culmination of the pageant held in the Chinese coastal resort of Sanya.

For added entertainment, American disco queens Sister Sledge, performing their 1979 anthem “We Are Family”.

Miss Thailand Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan (C) reacts as she is announced the runner up in the 68th Miss World final, as Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar (L) looks on in Sanya, on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on December 8, 2018. // AFP PHOTO

Nicolene, crowed Miss Thailand World in Bangkok on September 15, was born in California and raised by a single mum.

The 20-year-old, who studies business at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, also finished in the Top 10 at the Miss Thailand Universe pageant in June.

She has been a regular at beauty competitions since she was six. In 2014, at age 15, she won the Miss Teen Asia USA title.

Thailand never has won a Miss World title.

Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon (L) reacts after being announced the winner of the 68th Miss World final, with runner-up Miss Thailand Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan (R) in Sanya, on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on December 8, 2018. // AFP PHOTO

It is the eighth time the Miss World final has been held in Sanya, capital of the island province of Hainan, which first hosted the pageant in 2003.

At the finals three years ago, controversy erupted as officials in Hong Kong stopped Miss Canada, Anastasia Lin, from boarding a plane bound for Sanya, telling her she would not receive a visa.

The 25-year old actress claimed the decision was due to her stance on China’s rights record, including its persecution of Falun Gong, a spiritual group of which she is a member.

Miss World 2018 finalists, from left, Miss Belarus Maria Vasilevich, Miss Jamaica Kadijah Robinson, Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon, Miss Uganda Quiin Abenakyo and Miss Thailand Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan stand on stage  during the 68th Miss World contest final, in Sanya on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on December 8, 2018. – Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon went on to be crowned Miss World 2018. // AFP PHOTO

Photo by…Rachanon Intharagsa, Tanachai Pramarnpanich, EPA-EFE and Miss Universe organization

See more Photos: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/gallery/album/241

Visitors can enjoy beautiful nature and experience authentic Isaan culture as they tour the farm. The expression “Zap Nua” means so pleasingly tasty and smooth that one will ‘Huamuan’ – burst into laughter and joy. With an array of delightful attractions and activities revolving around local food, visitors can learn Isaan culture beyond what keeps local tummies full, as the diet has deep-rooted, multidimensional correlations with local traditions, culture and the rural way of life.

Visitors will be visually greeted by a 50-rai field of pink cosmos displayed alongside a multicoloured garden of the fruits and vegetables intrinsic to Isan food culture. There is also an array of flowering and climbing edible plants, such as butterfly pea, gac fruit and ivy gourd. The art installations entitled “Breast Stupa Topiary Jim Thompson Farm” have been contributed by noted female artist Pinnaree Sanpitak to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Visitors can also admire various installations inspired by the Isaan eating culture of eating. One consists of images of colourful foods depicted on ‘huad’ or ‘muay’, a traditional bamboo steamer used by local people to cook sticky rice. The second is a garden of pickled fish jars, mats and ant eggs with a centrepiece of a gigantic pestle and mortar with a slide and a 360 high-angle view from the top.

At Isaan Village zone, a variety of activities around local foodstuffs and the Isaan way of life are available, showing how local people forage for the ingredients, the tools they use, their cooking style and food preservation techniques. A penta-colour castle of fruits and vegetables stands more than 14 meters high in the Village together with another installation “The Mats and The Pillows Jim Thompson Farm” by Pinnaree that is made from thread waste from Jim Thompson’s silk production.

Another attraction is Jim’s Village that offers a great opportunity to see and try out every process of Jim Thompson’s silk production, from reeling and yarn bleaching through to dyeing with natural dyes and weaving. Products and souvenirs such as pumpkins, organic fruits and vegetables and handwoven silk and cotton products are available to take home.

The farm will be open from Saturday (December 8) to January 6, from 9am to 5pm. Tickets are sold at the farm entrance and cost Bt180 for adults and Bt130 for children on weekdays, and Bt220 and Bt160 on weekends. Tickets for senior citizens are Bt90.

Pre-visit tickets are available at special prices for Bt150 (adult) and Bt100 (children) for weekdays and Bt180 and Bt140 for weekends at Thai Ticket Major outlets; Jim Thompson Flagship Store at Siam Paragon; Jim Thompson Retail Shops on Surawong, Central World and The Emporium; Jim Thompson House and Museum; the Jim Thompson outlet at Palio Khao Yai; Home Sa-orn (in front of Jim Thompson Farm); Hor Kum Koon in Pak Thong Chai, Nakhon Ratchasima; and online at http://www.thaiticketmajor.com.

For more information, call (02) 762 2566 or visit http://www.JimThompsonFarm.com.

That finding comes from Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study, for which 17,500 travellers in 27 countries were surveyed.

The study found that those most likely to travel solo (45 per cent) were the youngest group, 18 to 24 years old, and those combining business and leisure (“bleasure”).

Travellers aged 36 to 44 were more likely to travel with other people (71 per cent).

 “The development of technology allows travellers the ability to take trip planning and booking into their own hands,” says Suripong Tantiyanon, country manager for Visa Thailand. “In addition, payment technologies and innovations give them greater convenience, security and confidence to spend during their time abroad.”

When travelling with companions, bigger groups are common. Typically, a group consists of up to five people on average.

Those travelling with others are most likely to be accompanied by their spouses and partners (49 per cent) or friends/colleagues (42 per cent). Travellers aged 45 years old and above or “superboomers” (72 per cent) are more likely to travel with their family and friends throughout the whole trip.

When it comes to travel activities, travellers from Thailand differ from their Asia-Pacific counterparts. The top three activities for Thai travellers are tours and attractions (71 per cent), food and dining (69 per cent), and shopping (68 per cent).

On the other hand, top activities for Asia-Pacific travellers are food and dining (73 per cent), shopping (69 per cent), and tours and attractions (64 per cent).

Some of the key activities Thai travellers engage in are visits to cultural locales (52 per cent), visits to theme parks and attractions (34 per cent) and religious monuments (29 per cent).

When it comes to food and dining, Thai travellers opt for eating at local casual and small restaurants (39 per cent) and tasting the street food (30 per cent).

Shopping for Thai travellers is all about venues that carry a range of brands and products, at duty-free shopping at destination airports (34 per cent) and large and medium retailers (33 per cent), and small retailers (30 per cent).

A ONE-HOUR drive from Phuket International Airport, the little known Samed Nang Chee viewpoint in Phang Nga’s Takua Thung district, offers scenes of Phang Nga Bay and pristine beaches that take the breath away.

It gets its name from a local folk tale that tells how monks once lived high in the Phra Art Thao and Noom hills. A nun (nang chee in Thai), however, chose to set up her abode on the lowland, meaning she had to fold up (med in the southern dialect) her robe when she walked through the canal.

“I’m a gardener and work in many of the orchards around here. When the land at the foot of a hill was converted into a kids’ playground many years ago, I discovered the vantage point of Samed Nang Chee and wanted to share this impressive experience with the public. Now that it’s become a popular viewpoint, it’s also generating some income for our community,” says Bang Nee.

Samed Nang Chee is a new popular spot to see panoramic views of Phang Nga Bay. 

Facing east, Samed Nang Chee is a good spot to watch the sunrise and to marvel at the Milky Way at night. Those wanting to keep away from the full-moon parties so popular on Thai beaches can escape to the quiet boutique accommodation nearby.

As the sun climbs a little higher in the morning sky, we head to nearby Ban Hin Rom pier and board a beautifully decorated boat that takes us along the canal lined with fishermens’ hamlets, the Phra Art Thao and Noom mountain ranges, a lush mangrove forest and umbrella-like rocks.

A small dining table is set up on deck and breakfast is served tiffin style. We ate our appetites with such southern favourites as spicy yellow curry with sea bass, fermented rice noodles paired with crab curry, deep-fried shrimp, spicy shrimp paste dip with vegetables, seasonal fruits and luk choup (mung bean coated with jelly).

Villagers at Ban Tha Din Daeng demonstrate how to sift for tin slag. 

Located some 55 kilometres from Phang Nga Bay’s eastern coastline, the old mining village of Ban Tha Din Daeng in Muang district takes visitors back to the days when tin mining was in its heyday.

Hemmed in by verdant mangrove jungle, it once housed two mines though all that can be seen today is a collection of old tools, hoist tracks and the pit, now a huge swamp. Visitors can have a go at mining and sift the sand for the waste deposit known as tin slag.

With the mines long closed, the hamlet has turned its attention to sustainable fishing, using hand-made tools including bamboo traps and nets as well as a unique Mard paddling boat mostly built from takien and teak wood.

Thanks to the clean canals and lush landscapes, this village is home to several kinds of marine creatures, plus floating farms of sea bass, oysters and sea weed. In the aftermath of the tsunami hit this village in 2004, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation stepped in and educated local residents about planting hydroponic vegetables to generate more income.

Hornbills greet visitors during a kayak cruise. 

After a pleasant stroll around the area, we climb into kayaks and paddle along Khlong Tai Laem Ma and Khlong Hin Lat amid dense swamp forest. Before long, we reach a mixed of woodland and grassland or savanna that stretches as far as the eye can see. Our local guides tell us that the tsunami formed this landscape and that today it is a popular spot for pre-wedding photo shoots.

Khao Na Yak is another good viewpoint with a private beach that stretches for 15 kilometres. 

Our next stop is the Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Muang National Park where we follow a one-kilometre trail to Khao Na Yak and a pristine beach that stretches for 15 kilometres. It was given its name by the Japanese army during World War II, as its shape resembles a giant’s face and it was constantly hidden in the mist, resulting in the Japanese fleet crashing into the rocky outcrops on more than one occasion. Canon fire eventually destroyed the overhang but today it is a good picnic spot with a backdrop of clear Azure waters.

Next morning, we continue our kayak cruise to explore the mystery land of Khlong Sang Neh. Dubbed the Little Amazon, it boasts a verdant ecosystem and a rich diversity of local plants, birds and reptiles.

Dubbed the Little Amazon, Khlong Sang Neh is rich in plant, bird and reptile life. 

A 100-year-old towering banyan tree marks the gateway to the home of Asian water monitors that live together with Chinese egrets and little cormorants, while a massive forest of nipa palms and Cerbera odollam – more commonly known as suicide trees because of the toxicity of their seeds – is populated by gold ringed cat snakes, colubrinae and reticulated pythons. As we reach the edge of the jungle, some 30 hornbills come to see us off.

Rommanee Hot Spring offers both indoor and private mineral baths.  

Not too far away is Rommanee Hot Spring with natural mineral baths of 65 degrees Celsius, perfect to soothe sore muscles.

Alongside the indoor and outdoor hot pools, stalls offer fresh vegetables, fruits, other agricultural produce and local delicacies.

Back in Takua Pa district that night, we check out the Krua Nong and Bai Toey restaurants recently awarded a Bib Gourmand in the 2019 Michelin Guide Bangkok, plus several chic cafes.

Sri Takua Pa Road is turned into a walking street every Sunday. 

After dinner we wander along Sri Takua Pa Road and admire the beautiful Sino-Portuguese architecture. The best time to visit is a Sunday when it is turned into a walking street selling a wide selection of local dishes and sweets as well as rare plants like monkey cups.

The 200-year-old Guan Wu shrine is one of the spots to see a glorious deity procession during the Vegetarian Festival.

Spotting a large crowd, we walk quickly to the corner to find tourists and local pilgrims praying to the 200-year-old Guan Wu shrine for fortune, success and good health.

We’ve already enjoyed good fortune in coming here but a few more prayers can’t hurt, can they?

The writer travelled courtesy of Tourism Authority of Thailand’ southern region

JUST A COUPLE of hours’ drive from Bangkok in Suphan Buri province, U Thong – “the Golden Cradle” – backs up the enticement of its name as one of the most enchanting repositories of classical Lao culture this side of the Mekong.

The two Lao ethnic groups that migrated here from northern Laos two centuries ago are the focus of three different “Local Alike” tours on offer.

Local Alike is a programme that gives tourists an up-close look at Thailand’s hidden charms, benefiting locales that otherwise receive few visitors.

Visitors are keen to master the expressive art of the ramwong.

Signed up recently for visits to the Tai Phuan community of Baan Wat Khao Pra and the Lao Krang villages of Baan Dong Yen and Baan Khok was a group of Thai, Western, South Asian and Japanese adventurers.

The first rewards came immediately on arrival – the refreshing and pure upcountry air and a pink drink flavoured with local herbs.

While watching a welcoming performance and getting to know the community elders, tour leader Bic translated a summary of the area’s history provided by the kindly Khun Somboon.

Tai Phuan aunties prepare a generous batch of krayasart, a confection to be shared with local monks.

Next we were shown how to make the paper jellyfish traditionally attached to Ta Ka Laew baskets full of daily essentials to be donated to monks at nearby Wat Khao Pra Si Sanphetchayaram.

Then a little time was spent helping the elder aunties of the village stir a big batch of krayasart, a tasty blend of roasted rice, sesame, peanuts and sugar. The confection’s name means “harmony”.

Travellers learn how to make paper jellyfish that will decorate baskets full of necessities for monks.

We earned more merit by donating the woven bamboo baskets of goods to the temple, and it was time to get down to some farming. At a “farmstay” in the Lao Krang village of Baan Dong Yen, the philosophy is based on happiness and sufficiency, even for the animals.

The smiling farm manager demonstrated the use of magic to grow mushrooms – actually a concentrated fertiliser blend studded with spores, rolled in plastic sheeting and given time to blossom in an airy, sunny environment.

Bicycles add to the pleasure of touring a friendly ‘farmstay’ in U Thong’s Baan Dong Yen.

Visitors to the organic Baan Dong Yen Community Farm ride bicycles between stations. At another stop, earthworms were being coaxed into providing choice fertiliser. Still another was a small-scale tofu operation that produced small amounts of beans in a slow, quality-controlled fermentation process. They taste deliciously handmade.

At the crowd-pleasing Happy Hen Station, dozens of chickens clucked as they ran to the front of a generously sized enclosure, excited because it was time to be hand-fed vegetables. The relatively liberated life – no coops and no overbearing roosters – results in yummier eggs with darker yolks, and thence to a memorable kai jeeo omelette served with freshly picked organic veggies.

Connecting luk kampat beads might be regarded as linking the present to the past.

Anyone wishing to know more about how all of these savoury offerings are made is welcome to spend the night on the farm. Longer stays can even include a clever sauna experience – steaming in a hot herbal mist while sitting in what looks like an enormous chicken coop.

Freedom of mind, body and spirit are also the focus at Baan Khok, another Lao Krang community.

The village headwoman, who doubles as the resident shaman, led us in a ramwong dance before showing us a fabulous selection of beads of various colours and patterns, each with its own meaning.

Known as Dvaravati beads and also as luk kampat, the small, shiny wonders have an equally colourful past – the Mon people traded and used them as currency.

Visitors were shown how to double up a string and thread it through a purpose-made needle, festoon it with beads, and then the shaman tied their new bracelets to their wrists with a blessing.

At a shrine with uniquely Lao spirit houses, respect is shown to the ancestors who led Lao communities to central Thailand.

More invitations to ramwong followed on a jaunt to the local market, and the day concluded with a visit to a shrine to the spirits of those who guided the Lao ancestors from the original U Thong to this lovely place in Suphan Buri.

Larger and simpler than Thai spirit houses and exuding the animistic aura of a people from a place of forested mountains criss-crossed by streams, this sacred spot is beautiful at twilight.

DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS

Local Alike offers a variety of meaningful experiences aimed at developing sustainable tourism for the benefit of harder-to-reach communities in Thailand. Visit http://www.LocalAlike.com.

The research revealed that 79 per cent of Thai travellers attempt to be sensible spenders by making a budget in advance, though more than half (58 per cent) don’t stick to it and end up spending more than they first intended to. The research also reveals how Thai travellers will prioritise their travel budget in the year to come.

Travellers will increasingly splurge on experiences in 2019. More than half (55 per cent) plan to spend more on experiences, entertainment and attractions in 2019 when compared to 2018, and 68 per cent of Thais revealed that they value experiences more than material possessions, a trend that is set to continue with activities, entertainment and attractions the top areas on which Thai travellers intend to spend in 2019.

Contrary to popular belief, this trend is not just reserved for millennials either; there is only a small difference in the age breakdown (68 per cent for 35-44 year olds, 74 per cent for those aged 45 plus). In 2019, experiences will go truly mainstream.

 So how to free the budget for all these experiences? Booking.com research suggests that Thai travellers are willing to make some sacrifices. Three quarters (76 per cent) say they will travel as cost effectively as possible in 2019 so they can fit in more trips and experiences than in 2018. For example, over half (58 per cent) say they are willing to skip tourist highlights if they deem them too expensive.

This also points to another trend that will impact travel budgets in 2019; tourism authorities will increasingly try to entice travellers to visit during the off-season or to venture outside the most popular tourist areas. The research suggests that most Thai travellers are very open to this idea, declaring willingness to stay in accommodation outside the centre (57 per cent), travelling during off-peak season (62 per cent), and sharing their travel plans with tourism authorities to get tailored recommendations (63 per cent). Going off the beaten track will provide a great opportunity for travellers and tourism authorities alike, and in 2019 more and more travellers will seize it.

The research was commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who have taken a trip in the last 12 months/plan to take a trip in the next 12 months. In total 21,500 respondents were polled (including 1,000 each from Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, China, Brazil, India, US, UK, Russia, Indonesia, Colombia and South Korea; and 500 each from Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Croatia, Taiwan, Mexico, Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore and Israel). Respondents completed an online survey between August 10 to August 30.