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Travel Sense Asia
FormerlyTravel Sense Asia
Company typeTour operator
IndustryTourism
Founded2009; 15 years ago
ProductsPrivate guided tours
Websitetravelsense.asia

Travel Sense Asia is a company that offers a comprehensive range of travel services, covering inbound, outbound, and domestic tourism. Travel Sense Asia prioritizes private experiences to ensure quality, authenticity, and personalization. Travel Sense Asia also develops corporate tour programs (MICE)[1].

Travel Sense Asia has now broadened its destinations to include Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Its offerings include luxury travel options, and sustainable tourism practices.

History

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Travel Sense Asia was established in 2009 by David Le in Hanoi, Vietnam. The name reflects the company's mission to capture the authentic beauty of Asia through sensory experiences. Initially, the company focused on tour programs exploring Vietnam.

In 2012, the company expanded its destinations to include neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. By 2024, Sri Lanka was added as the fifth destination.

In 2021, Travel Sense Asia established a cooperative relationship with Massimo Bianchessi[2] as the Regional Manager for Italy and Europe at Travel Sense Asia. Massimo is a representer of Travel Sense Asia in Italy, also a true expert in crafting custom travel products that leave a lasting impact on travelers from all walks of life.

In 2022, the company diversified its operations into the wellness sector by acquiring two local properties: Ecolodge Panhou Village[3] in Ha Giang, which was subsequently renamed Panhou Retreat, and Whale Island Resort[4] in Nha Trang.[5][6]

In 2023, Travel Sense Asia took a proactive step by assigning one of its employees, Elena Nguyen, to undertake the Sustainability Management training course for tour operators and travel agents offered by Travel Life[7]. Therefore, Elena Nguyen retransmitted her newfound expertise to the department heads and executives to integrate sustainable practices into both Travel Sense Asia’s internal operation and business. During May 2023, the company initiated the campaign “Old Battery Recovery – Protect the Green Earth”[8] in order to enhance employee awareness regarding the significance of appropriately disposing of used batteries and successfully completed the campaign with a collection of 4kg used batteries.

Furthermore, Travel Sense Asia continued to create and promote sustainable tour packages that reflect the principles of responsible tourism. These offerings highlighted eco-friendly accommodations, community-based tourism initiatives, and local cultural experiences. Additionally, the company had built partnerships with local communities, suppliers, and industry stakeholders to form a network dedicated to sustainable tourism.

Responsible Tourism

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As mentioned in the history section, Travel Sense Asia had created and promoted sustainable tour packages that reflect the principles of responsible tourism.

The first staple is eco-friendly accommodations, which travel packages include stays at accommodations designed to minimize environmental impact. An example for eco-friendly tourism is a package including Whale Island Resort[9]. Whale Island Resort uses sustainable practices, such as energy-efficient systems, water conservation methods, and waste reduction initiatives. They also prioritize local materials and support community initiatives. Alongside the stay, the package typically includes activities that promote environmental awareness and responsible tourism, such as nature hikes, wildlife tours, or cultural experiences that highlight local conservation efforts.

The second staple is community-based tourism initiative, a tourism form that focuses on engaging local communities in the tourism experience[10]. This can be seen in package tours offering village encounters in Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang. It aims to empower residents by involving them in the planning, development, and management of tourism activities. The local culture, traditions, and natural resources are emphasized, allowing visitors to experience authentic cultural interactions and participate in community life. Therefore, the tours seek to create a more equitable relationship between tourists and the host community.

The third factor is local cultural tourism, for example, tour packages to Sapa in Lao Cai. Local cultural experience involves immersive activities that allow travelers to engage with and learn about the traditions, customs, and lifestyles of a specific community or region. This type of tourism often includes activities like cooking classes[11], traditional craft workshops, cultural festivals, guided tours led by local residents, and participation in community events. It benefits both tourists, who gain authentic experiences, and locals, who can share their culture and earn income from tourism.

Moreover, Travel Sense Asia had approached a new type of tourism which is known as voluntourism, a unique form of travel that combines the joy of exploring new destinations with the fulfillment of giving back and contributing positively to the host community[12].

Awards

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  • Travel Sense Asia was honored by TripAdvisor with 11 Traveler's Choice Awards[13], previously known as the Certificate of Excellence, in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024.
  • The company was nominated for Vietnam’s Leading Travel Agency 2024[14] by World Travel Awards[15].

Partnerships

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In 2015, Travel Sense Asia was featured on Hanoi TV, a leading local television channel in Vietnam, introducing authentic and sustainable Vietnamese experiences for domestic tourists[16].

Since 2023, Travel Sense Asia has become a member of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) with member ID-900330920. The goal of being a member in ASTA is to establish connections with major and trustworthy tourism partners in the United States and globally[17]

In 2024, Travel Sense Asia was selected by the Vietnamese Consulate in Torino, Italy to introduce Vietnamese tourism products to Italian tourists.

In 2024, Travel Sense Asia published articles in Mekong Magazine[18], an academic paper dedicated to information on current events in Vietnam and Southeast Asia by Vietnam-Italy Friendship Association[19]

References

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  1. ^ "What Is MICE? Guide to Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions | Cvent Blog". www.cvent.com. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  2. ^ "Focus sul mercato Italia per la dmc vietnamita Travel Sense Asia". TravelQuotidiano. 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  3. ^ "Panhou Retreat - Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang, Vietnam". www.panhouretreat.com. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  4. ^ "Home - Whale Island Resort". 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  5. ^ Bray, Adam (2017-07-12). "9 top beach resorts in the South China Sea". CNN. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  6. ^ News, VietNamNet. "Báo VietnamNet". VietNamNet News (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-10-14. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ "Travelife Sustainability Certification". Travelife sustainability certification. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  8. ^ "The "Recycle Old Batteries - Protect the Green Earth" program in 2023". cocoonvegan.my. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  9. ^ "Home - Whale Island Resort". 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  10. ^ "Community-based tourism | Intrepid Travel". www.intrepidtravel.com. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  11. ^ Pierce, Harrison (2023-10-02). "Cooking Classes Are My Favorite Way to Understand a City". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  12. ^ "Voluntourism: Travel to give back with Travel Sense Asia". 2023-10-19. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  13. ^ "Tripadvisor Help Center". www.tripadvisorsupport.com. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  14. ^ "Vietnam's Leading Travel Agency 2024".
  15. ^ "World Travel Awards".
  16. ^ TravelSenseAsia (2015-09-11). Công ty TNHH Du Lịch Ấn Tượng Châu Á - Truyền hình Hà Nội. Retrieved 2024-10-09 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ "Directory Search Details". Default. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  18. ^ "Mekong Review Magazine".
  19. ^ "The Vietnam - Italy Friendship Association".