Khiri Travel Unveils Sensory Urban and Colonial Heritage Tours at ITB Berlin 2025

BANGKOK—Khiri Travel is set to unveil its latest travel experiences at ITB Berlin, scheduled for March 4-6, 2025. The spotlight will be on innovative sensory urban day tours across five Southeast Asian nations and meticulously crafted multi-day colonial tours. These tours promise immersive journeys through the cultural and ancient landscapes of Southeast Asia, showcasing 19th-century mansions and heritage hotels. The unveiling at ITB Berlin marks a notable step for Khiri Travel.

Khiri Travel aims to solidify its position as a leading destination management company (DMC) focused on delivering unique and enriching travel experiences. The new tours are designed to appeal to a wide range of travelers, from those seeking immersive cultural encounters to history buffs eager to explore the colonial past of Southeast Asia. The company’s approach focuses on engaging all five senses and showcasing the region’s rich history and culture.

Sensory Urban Day Tours: A Feast for the Senses

khiri Travel’s sensory urban day tours are currently available in five countries: Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Plans are underway to expand the offering to include Laos,Philippines,and Myanmar. These private, guided tours are designed to stimulate all five senses, providing travelers with a deep and memorable connection to each destination.

Imagine witnessing breathtaking sunsets from golden stupas, inhaling the invigorating aroma of fresh turmeric while learning to prepare a customary herbal drink, or being captivated by the enchanting sounds of Balinese gamelan or Sri Lankan baila music. The tours also offer tantalizing tastes, showcasing the diverse and vibrant culinary traditions of Asia, and the chance to experience the soothing touch of a traditional massage or invigorating yoga session.

These sensory experiences are carefully curated to provide an authentic and immersive glimpse into the local culture. Each tour is designed to be a personal journey, allowing travelers to connect with the destination on a deeper level.

Colonial Heritage Tours: Stepping Back in Time

Along with the sensory urban day tours, Khiri travel is also launching a series of heritage and history tours, ranging from nine to 13 days. These tours are available in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Laos, with Myanmar to follow. The focus is on showcasing colonial-era mansions, antique decor, and grand estates reminiscent of the times of explorers like Henri Mouhot and Francis Garnier.

Travelers embarking on these tours will have the opportunity to stay in heritage-era buildings that have been repurposed as hotels, such as The Phoenix Hotel in Yogyakarta, Azerai La Residence in Hue, 137 Pillars in Chiang Mai, and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan. These accommodations offer a unique glimpse into the past, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the elegance and charm of a bygone era.

Furthermore, guests can benefit from the insights of historians, such as Francis Engelmann in Luang Prabang, and experts like rehahn, an award-winning photographer specializing in the ethnic groups of Vietnam, in Hoi An. These experts provide valuable context and enrich the experience, offering a deeper understanding of the history and culture of the region.

“Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a history lover, or simply seeking a journey through time, our history and heritage mansion house tours promise a deep connection to the elegance, intrigue, and timeless beauty of asia’s colonial-related past.”

Khiri Travel Group product Coordinator Sofia Tan

Enhanced Agent Hub: A Resource for Travel Professionals

To support travel agents in promoting these new tours, Khiri travel has enhanced its online Agent Hub. The hub features in-depth details on each of the senses and mansions tour series. The upgraded agent Hub will be soft-launched at ITB Berlin, from March 4-6, 2025. Agents can access newly featured Khiri specialist tours, sample itineraries, and an online photo gallery.The hub’s images can be used to market and promote Khiri products, providing agents with valuable resources to attract and engage potential customers.

The Agent Hub is designed to be a complete resource for travel professionals, providing them with the tools and facts they need to effectively sell Khiri Travel’s unique and enriching travel experiences.

Conclusion

Khiri Travel’s unveiling of its sensory urban day tours and colonial heritage tours at ITB Berlin 2025 marks an exciting advancement for travelers seeking immersive and authentic experiences in Southeast Asia. With a focus on engaging all five senses and showcasing the region’s rich history and culture,these tours promise to provide unforgettable journeys through some of the most captivating destinations in the world. The enhanced Agent Hub further empowers travel professionals to effectively promote these unique offerings, ensuring that more travelers can discover the beauty and wonder of Southeast Asia with Khiri Travel.

Unveiling the Secrets of Southeast Asia: An Immersive Journey Through Culture and History

Did you no that engaging all five senses can transform a simple sightseeing trip into a truly transformative cultural experience? This is the innovative approach Khiri Travel is taking with its new sensory urban and colonial heritage tours,and it’s changing the game for cultural tourism. We sat down with Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading expert in sustainable tourism and cultural heritage, to delve deeper into this exciting progress.

World-Today-News: Dr. Sharma, Khiri Travel’s launch of thes sensory tours represents a notable shift. Could you elaborate on this innovative approach to cultural tourism and how it differs from conventional sightseeing?

Dr. Sharma: Absolutely. Traditional tours often present a superficial view of a destination’s cultural richness. Khiri’s focus on multi-sensory experiences—what I call holistic cultural immersion—is transformative. Rather of passively observing a temple, as a notable example, imagine participating in a traditional offering ceremony. You’d smell the incense, hear the chanting, taste local sweets offered as part of the ritual, feel the cool stone under your hands, and visually appreciate the intricate carvings. This active engagement creates a far deeper connection with the local culture and its traditions. This sensory approach fosters a more profound understanding and gratitude then simply seeing a sight.

beyond Sightseeing: A Multi-Sensory approach to Cultural Tourism

world-Today-News: The tours emphasize both urban and colonial heritage. How do these seamlessly interweave to present a complete cultural experience?

Dr. Sharma: Both urban and colonial aspects are crucial for a complete understanding of Southeast Asia. sensory urban tours showcase the vibrant tapestry of modern life: bustling markets, unique culinary traditions, and everyday rituals. These highlight how ancient beliefs continue to shape contemporary society. Colonial heritage tours, conversely, reveal crucial historical layers. Exploring grand colonial mansions and heritage hotels offers insight into the region’s complex past, the impact of colonialism, and the enduring legacies of cultural exchange. These tours are not just about viewing old buildings; they are about understanding the societal, economic, and cultural narratives embedded within them—stories of power, trade, and cultural adaptation. It’s a juxtaposition of past and present, allowing travellers to appreciate the evolution of cultural identities.

Expert Guidance: The Key to Authentic Cultural Immersion

World-today-News: Khiri travel highlights the involvement of historians and experts. How impactful is expert-led guidance in enriching the traveller’s experience?

Dr. Sharma: Immensely so. The presence of historians like Francis Engelmann (renowned for his expertise on Luang Prabang) and talented photographers like rehahn (specializing in Vietnam’s ethnic groups), transforms the experience. These individuals are more than just guides; they are living libraries of knowledge, storytelling experts who bring history and culture to life. They act as bridges between visitors and the local community, providing invaluable context, answering questions, and fostering meaningful interactions. The personalized attention and the wealth of knowledge provided transform a holiday into a journey of finding and education, far exceeding the typical tourist experience.

Ideal Traveller Profiles & Considerations for Immersive travel

World-Today-News: Khiri’s tours cater to various traveller types. Are there particular profiles or interests these immersive trips are most suited to?

Dr.Sharma: Absolutely. History buffs will be captivated by the meticulously researched colonial tours,tracing the footsteps of explorers and immersing themselves in grand colonial architecture. Culture enthusiasts will adore the sensory urban tours, engaging with daily life and traditional practices. Luxury travellers seeking authentic experiences beyond typical resort stays will appreciate the high-quality accommodations and unique cultural insights. responsible travellers valuing sustainable and well-researched options will find alignment with khiri’s ethos.

World-Today-News: What key considerations should travellers keep in mind when booking such immersive experiences?

Dr. Sharma: Here’s a checklist for a truly enriching journey:

Physical fitness: Some tours involve walking and might require a moderate level of physical fitness.

Dietary restrictions: Communicating any dietary requirements or allergies is crucial for enjoyable culinary experiences.

Cultural sensitivity: Respectful behavior and embracing local customs are paramount for a positive experience.

Photography: while photography is encouraged, mindful consideration of appropriate settings and cultural sensitivities is essential (avoiding flash photography in religious sites, for example).

The Future of Cultural Tourism: A More Meaningful Approach

World-Today-News: Dr. Sharma, what’s your overall assessment of khiri Travel’s initiative, and what does it signify for the future of cultural tourism?

Dr. Sharma: Khiri Travel’s initiative signals a significant and welcome shift toward more sustainable and meaningful cultural tourism. By focusing on multi-sensory engagement,expert-led experiences,and supporting the preservation of heritage sites,Khiri sets a new standard. It’s a blueprint for responsible travel reflecting the future of the industry – moving beyond superficial sightseeing and actively embracing deeper engagement with local communities and traditions. It is a truly impactful model.

We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. What aspects of cultural immersion resonate most with you? Let the conversation begin!