Design Destinations Magazine Fall 2019

Fall 2019

INDIA

SYMPLY EXTRAORDINARY

SIEM REAP

GATEWAY TO ANGKOR

MYANMAR

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE FARMERS

ANDREA WOLLETER CHILE’S HEAD OF TOURISM

THE CARAVELLE IN THE HEART OF SAIGON

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WHAT’S

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INSIDE

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LETTER FROM OUR EDITOR IN CHIEF

I recently returned from a trip to India where I fulfilled one of my all-time dreams - to see the Taj Mahal. My experience was far beyond my expectations. It was surreal. The magnificent structure took my breath away and the vision of it is now stored in my mind forever. My host, Vilasa Luxury Travel, ensured that my first trip to India was perfect. From the arrival at the airport, the transportation and the hotel selections - everything was done to perfection.

Our fall issue pays tribute to the mighty elephant in Kenya. Our contributor Scotty Graham shares his images of the gentle giant. And David Lazar takes us on a journey through India with his amazing photography.

In this issue we present Andrea Wolleter, Director of Tourism for Chile in an intimate interview where she shares her vision of Chile as an international tourist destination. We also feature The Caravelle Hotel in the heart of Saigon. This historical hotel celebrates it 60th anniversary since opening its doors in 1959 as the premier hotel in Saigon. Recently restored to its original grandeur, The Caravelle reclaims its place as the grande dame of one of Asia’s most exciting cities.

We hope you enjoy this issue and as always, we’d love to hear from you.

Go and discover new places, the world is full of experiences waiting to be discovered!

Franz E Buchhalter

Fall 2019

Editor in Chief: Managing Editor:

Franz E Buchhalter Cynthia P. Howland

INDIA

SYMPLY EXTRAORDINARY

SIEM REAP

GATEWAY TO ANGKOR

Design Destinations Magazine is a publication by Buchhalter International Group, Inc. Head Office: 9121 SW 140th Street, Miami, Florida 33176 Tel: 305 484 1012 buchhalterinternatioanlgroup.com

MYANMAR

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE FARMERS

ANDREA WOLLETER

CHILE’S HEAD OF TOURISM

THE CARAVELLE IN THE HEART OF SAIGON

Cover: David Lazar - India

CONTRIBUTORS BILL SCOTT is an international travel photographer based in Salt Lake City, USA who has visited over 100 countries. Whether it is a top tourist destination like the Maldives or somewhere off the beaten track such as Burundi, he finds there is always something fascinating to photograph. By building trust and a relationship with people Bill is able to put his subjects at ease and capture them in their normal routines and daily life. Although he often enjoys directing a subject to create an image, he says the real magic happens when a great story, beautiful light, and the opportunity to work like a fly on the wall all come together. You can see more of Bill’s work on Instagram @billscottphoto.

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MYANMAR A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE FARMERS

DAVID LAZAR is a travel photographer from Brisbane, Australia, who captures moments of life, culture, and beauty through photography. He is drawn to locations that have a rich cultural background steeped in tradition, and is especially interested in portrait photography.

David is a contributor to photography, travel and in-flight magazines, as well as newspapers, books and journals such as National Geographic, Asian Geographic and The Lonely Planet. In 2014 he was awarded Best Culture Photographer by Garuda Airways. He was the 2012 Smithsonian Photography Contest Winner in the travel category. In 2015, the inspirational book ‘Who Will I Become” was released by the Growing Leaders Foundation, showcasing David’s photography from Trinidad and Tobago. He has recently published a coffee table book of his work from Myanmar entitled “Myanmar: A Luminous Journey” which is now available for purchase worldwide.

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INDIA SYMPLY EXTRAORDINARY

SCOTTY GRAHAM is an American photographer based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Before becoming a photographer, he worked as a helicopter pilot, scuba instructor and a mathematics teacher. Teaching is one of his passions and currently Scotty also works as a full time High School photography teacher at Jakarta Intercultural School, and also works as a freelance photographer, most recently for the Olympic Committee Asia capturing the Asian Games.

Scotty is a frequent contributor for Design Destinations Magazine whose images have graced several covers.

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SIEM REAP GATEWAY TO ANGKOR

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THE MYGHTY ELEPHANT

ALEXANDER LEUNG is a Canadian startup tech marketer and PR professional who has written articles found in the Travelog, Collective Hub, Forbes, VentureBeat, Tech in Asia, and the New York Times, among others. Alexander travels in search of unique experiences and enjoys telling the stories of people, places and culture from a curious traveller's perspective.

You can read more of Alexander's writings on his website leungalexander.com or connect with him further on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/leungalexander/.

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SIEM REAP GATEWAY TO ANGKOR

ANDREA WOLLETER EYHERANENDY A CANDID CONVERSATION

Miss Wolleter is the National Director of Tourism Service (Sernatur), a public entity in charge of promoting and disseminating the development of tourism activity in Chile since August 27, 2018.

With a degree in Commercial Engineering from the University of Chile and before taking the position of Director, Ms. Wolleter served as the Executive Vice President for the Federation of Tourism Companies of Chile (Fedetur).

With more than twenty years of experience in sales and marketing, she has focused primarily on the design and implementation of growth and positioning strategies for the tourism segment through brand development and partnerships with government and private entities.

Design Destinations Magazine chatted with Ms. Wolleter for this candid conversation to learn about her new role, her plans to increase the awareness of Chile as an important tourist destination in South American and her strategies to accomplish this.Â

DDM: Your appointment to lead Chile's tourism strategy presents several challenges. What has the biggest challenge been so far?

AW: One of the priorities in my management has been focused on advancing in the area of innovation and the digitalization of our tourist offering. For this, we have created a strategy that responds to the new demands of consumers who today have turned to digital. This emergence of the digital traveler forces us, both the public and private sectors, to adopt the tools provided by new technologies much more quickly.

For this reason, we have incorporated a new pillar into the national tourism strategy: innovation and technology, as a key piece to boost tourism development in Chile.

Today, more and more, the tourist journey begins and ends on mobile devices. In addition, much of the purchase decision is made in this way, and in this framework. Innovation and digital transformation are no longer optional, but must be our common goal in the definition of public policies and actions in the promotion of tourism development. Collaborative work is a key piece of this puzzle if we want to take significant steps in that direction. Certainly in Chile we are moving in that direction and although today there is a rich tourist offering associated with experiences such as wine tourism, astrotourism and ethnic tourism, among others, most of it is not visible on digital platforms which is where today 85% of travelers are making their purchase decisions. We have here a digital gap that impacts competitiveness and that we must close in the short term. Every day we miss is a huge opportunity lost.

In Chile we have about 95 thousand small and mediumsized tourism companies and our strategy is to focus on digitalization, from the use of social networks as a way of dissemination and first interaction with the client, to the generation of points of contact during the various phases of a trip.

In this mission, we are participating in various initiatives in which we seek to provide tools for entrepreneurs across the country to enter the wave of digital transformation.

Digitaliza Turismo is one of the measures that we are taking, through public-private collaboration to offer training solutions and technical assistance.

It is not just about having a web site, but really about managing it, getting the reservations and above all, offering tourists a unique experience from start to finish.

The objective is none other than to amplify the offer available on the Internet, in addition to fostering an attitude of innovation and making it an increasingly competitive industry.

In order for innovation and digital transformation to develop in Chile, it is important to strengthen and articulate the ecosystem, to make its participants interrelated and that from this open innovation new value can emerge through networks that promote the exchange of ideas and knowledge.

Advancing this path requires profound changes that go far beyond the development of an application or learning how to use a site. It is about fully understanding the importance of technology and its application, knowing that being off the web is no longer a choice. In short, it is a cultural change in which we all have something to contribute. And that is what I want to contribute from my management.

DDM: Your experience in tourism transcends more than 20 years mainly in the commercial and marketing area. This experience was fundamental for your choices. What strategy is planned to position Chile as an important tourist destination?

AW: I think it is an important mix between understanding the different markets, knowing what they are looking for and being able to offer what they need. Today we are already talking about hyper-segmentation and how digital channels allow us to do this, so I can come up with specific experiences for these niche markets.

We have gained a lot of traction with priority markets on which we are focusing our international promotional strategy, which helps us a lot in gaining Chile's overall positioning: to the end customer, the commercialization chain and doing a good job targeting journalists from international media.

An important factor in the success of the execution of our tourism strategy in Chile has been to be able to build and promote collaborative work, between public entities and between public and private. It is at least the legacy I would like to leave. I think that when you have a country project with a common vision, it is much easier for all participants to align and work based on the same goal.

DDM: Social networks are vital in today's world to promote products. Are there specific promotional strategies to promote via social networks?

AW: We have a special strategy in terms of all digital marketing, and social networks are one of them in which we have been working, understanding more and more and trying to innovate in different formats and with the correct communication in each of the social network platforms.

DDM: The North American market is a very important market in tourism. Which approach has been carried out or is planned to be carried out?

AW: For the United States we have a fairly broad strategy.

We focus on cities where the main origin of tourists to South America and Chile are. We are working on the one hand, with the commercial sector conducting road shows and on the other hand, with influencers and journalists from relevant media who come to Chile to discover the diversity of experiences we offer as a destination so that they can disseminate them.

We are also making alliances with OTA’s, airlines, and with other relevant players in the United States market.

And also with retail associations such as Virtuoso, and the association of tour operators, Adventure Travel Trade Association - ATTA, among others.

other cultures, such as those of the Asian world. I would find it very interesting.

DDM: Chile competes in tourism with markets that have been promoted for many years, What offer exists in Chile to capture the international market?

AW: My last trip was to China and it was for work. I went to Chile Week in China, with a tourist's eye. But I could learn more about their culture. Their gastronomy allowed

DDM: What was your last trip abroad and how was your experience.

AW: One of the differentiating factors of Chile that makes it more competitive compared to other markets in the region is its appeal associated with adventure tourism.

The awards we have received guarantee our positioning in this segment.

This year Chile is nominated in three categories of the World Travel Awards, prizes that are considered in the industry as the tourism Oscars. We seek to confirm ourselves as world champion in Adventure Tourism, which would be our fourth consecutive title. In addition, we compete to be the Best Romantic Destination, with our unique desert of Atacama, the driest in the world, and the Best Green Destination, thanks to the diversity of the landscapes of our country. Chile has become one of the most relevant tourist destinations in the world, thanks to its offer of excellence through high quality, attractive, varied and sustainable experiences. We are also the only place in the world that has the clearest skies for stargazing.

Wine tourism is another experience that sets us apart.

Although it is true that this experience is also promoted in other countries, we believe that we have an advantage in terms of valleys and vineyards open to the public, that also allows us an important position worldwide. We are convinced that Chile has unique qualities that make it an attractive destination worldwide.

Thank you for your time and now we could know a little more about you.

DDM: What is your favorite vacation spot?

AW: All of Chile! Chile is a unique country. I love the north and I really enjoy the desert - which is one of the most arid in the world - and its colors. I also like to travel the south and enjoy its lakes and volcanoes, and also the majestic landscapes in the Chilean Patagonia in the southern zone.

DDM: Which destination is first on the list of destinations you would like to know?

AW: I know a lot about our country, but one place I would love to know is Antarctica and Juan FernĂĄndez Island.

Internationally, I would like to know more about Italy and

me to better understand the Asian market, what they are looking for in South America and I think it was a journey of great learning.

I was struck that they have enormous potential with their ancient culture. The places I met seemed very modern and managed to mix tradition and modernization. The cities are quite clean, tidy and cosmopolitan.

Siem Reap - Gateway to Angkor Text by Alexander Leung Photography by Scotty Graham

“God is in the details.” – Ludwig Mies van der Rohe I thought of this quote while walking through the various temples in Siem Reap. One can immediately liken the temples to museums. They are all edifices of unparalleled beauty. Yet, unlike museums, you are free to explore without the constrictions of glass or velvet ropes to block you from the full experience. The temples are built sturdy enough (for now) that you can walk through them, touch, graze, explore and experience them in full. They look and feel incredibly different depending on the time of day you visit. At dusk or dawn, they act as the perfect silhouette against a creamy, deep Monet-like sky. Like a museum, each and every wall of a temple acts as its own work of art, like a Mona Lisa, or Sistine Chapel. For example, in Angkor Wat, there are more than 3000 beguiling apsaras (heavenly nymphs) carved onto its walls, each carving different down to the hairstyle.

The temples at Angkor are said to be the ultimate expression of Khmer architecture and demonstration of faith; Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world. It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple of the god Vishnu for the

Empire, gradually transforming into a Buddhist temple toward the end of the 12th century. According to inscriptions, the construction of Angkor Wat required over 300,000 workers and 6000 elephants to build, and still, it was never finished. Angkor Wat is massive, yet it beckons you to look ever closer. The level of detail of every facet of the temple is incredible.

Angkor Wat stands as an important symbol for Khmer people and Cambodians. It’s featured front and center on the flag of Cambodia. Cambodia’s sordid history has been riddled with incredible trials and tribulations. Today, Cambodia still continues to suffer from underdevelopment, poverty, hunger and corruption.

But if Angkor Wat is truly the symbol of Cambodia, well, they’ve already proved in the past they have the spirit to accomplish something incredible, seemingly impossible. I’m not religious, but I’ve seen the spirit of Cambodia. It will one day flourish again.

I will carry this spirit with me, and remember it always.

CARAVELLE HOTEL IIN THE HEART OF SAIGON

Located in the city center, the hotel is a short walk to iconic landmarks and locations, such as the Saigon Municipal Theatre, also known as the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, historic Dong Khoi Street, modern Nguyen Hue Walking Street, and the legendary Ben Thanh Market.

While much of what lies at the heart of Caravelle Saigon is historic, its rooms are modern and luxurious, making it the ideal place to make your own history in one of the most enchanting cities in the world.

The room decor reflects the history of Saigon adapted to the expectations of the modern traveller without losing the essence of what makes this hotel a significant landmark in the city’s history.

Photos by Scotty Graham

THE MIGHTY ELEPHANT

Graceful, majestic, intelligent and beautiful are some of the adjectives used to describe the elephant. There are two species of the Asian elephant- the forest and the savannah elephant which can be found in Thailand, India and Sri Lanka and in Kenya The Kenyan elephants contribute to the sustainability of the forests and the savannah. Their diet consists of plants, fruits, and seeds and during their long travel distances they excrete in various places leaving behind seeds, which germinate when it rains, thus providing aid to different species of plants to grow. This also helps the forests to have plant diversity which in turn, attracts different types of insects, birds, and animals, creating a diverse ecosystem.

Elephants’ ears are useful not only to keep them cool from the savannah heat but they are also used to express how they feel. When they are happy, angry, or aggravated, they flap their ears. And when elephants meet a long lost friend, they dance, flap their ears, and make noises. When one of them falls sick, the rest of the herd brings food. When a member of the head dies, they dig graves and cover the remains with branches.

There are several organizations that protect the mighty elephant, especially from poaching. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust takes care of orphaned elephants. A baby elephant will breastfeed for two years and without its mother, will die. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has been perfecting the milk formula and skills needed to take care of the baby elephants and since their beginning, have managed to save over 150 baby elephants.

INDIA SIMPLY EXTRAORDINARY PHOTOS BY DAVID LAZAR

India is a country of contrasts and colors, a land rooted in ancient traditions and dotted with historical monuments.

Those who are fortunate enough to visit India will be inspired by its people and will witness a culture that embraces a multilingual and multi-ethnic society. Indian culture is among the world’s oldest. India is home to the Taj Mahal, an immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra in the 1600’s by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife. The Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. There are many palaces and structures that highlight the amazing architecture found throughout the country including the Amber Fort in Jaipur built by the Raja Man Singh, which stands on top of a mountain.

The architecture of the fort is a blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture and is one of Jaipur’s most popular spots to visit.

To visit India is to enrich your mind and your palate, as India is home of some of the world’s most exotic and favorite foods. The cuisine in Indian is heavily influenced by religious and cultural choices, like Hinduism and traditions. However, the invasion of the Mogul Empire left a significant mark on Indian cuisine. One can savor the variety of spices in many of the dishes. To experience the culinary art in India is to experience an explosion of flavors.

India, more than incredible, is an experience to savor with every sense. One trip to India and your life will be transformed.

““ We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventure we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open”. Jawaharial Nehru, former Prime Minister of India

“India is a place where color is doubly bright. Pinks that scald your eyes blue you could drown in�. - Kiran Milwood Graves, Award-winning author

“If there is one place on the face of this earth where all the dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when Man began to dream of existence, it is India.� - Ramain Rollan, French Philosopher

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF FARMERS IN MYANMAR PHOTOS BY BILL SCOTT

An American legend

JANEFONDA

American actress, political activist and former fashion model. During her acting career that spans several decades, she has earned two Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, the AFI Life Achievement Award, and the Honorary Golden Lion. She made her acting debut on Broadway in 1960 in the play “There Was A Little Girl” and received her first Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play; in the same year she made her film debut and soon began working with Hollywood’s most acclaimed directors. She earned seven Oscar nominations and her two wins were in the film “Klute” in 1971 and “Coming Home” in 1978.

10 TRAVEL GADGETS FOR 2020

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OPTICAL CAMERA LENS FOR SMARTPHONES SONY SmartShot DSC-QX 10. Make your photos more professional with this adaptable lens.

DIGITAL LUGGAGE SCALE Avoid overpacking and paying overweight luggage charges with the Tarriss Jetsetter Digital Luggage Scale with a 110 lb Capacity.

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SMALLEST POWER PACK Stay charged with the BAITER 5200mah Portable Power Bank portable charger --Ultracompact mini charge for iPhone. It is of safety fireproof material.

SMALLEST STEAMER/IRON Steamfast SF-717 Mini Steam Iron with Dual Voltage Travel Bag, Non-Stick Soleplate, Anti-Slip Handle, Rapid Heating.

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HEATED INSOLES Keep those feet warm with the Thermacell Proflex Heated Insoles.

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ORGANIZERS Revolutionized your packing - make packing a breeze and cut down on the space compression with the Packing Cubes, Gonex Extensible Storage Mesh Bags Organizers.

ELECTRIC ADAPTER This multi function adapter by TUMI will convert so you can be connected.

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LUGGAGE PROTECTIVE COVERS Protect your expensive luggage with these fashionable covers.

Comes in different sizes and designs. Material is resistant and waterproof. By Prestige Travel.

TRAVELING SHIRT CASE Keep your shirts perfect and ready to be worn after a long trip with the Shirt Case by Gadget Master.

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TRAVELING COMFORTABLY Once you wear a Lululemon traveling clothes you will never wear anything else. Lululemon’s traveling clothes are made with materials that are comfortable for those long transatlantic trips.

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Design Destinations Magazine is a quarterly publication produced by Buchhalter International Group

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