Khiri Travel to Open Office in Myanmar

The Khiri Travel Group is expanding with a new office in Myanmar.

Headed by Mr Edwin Briels as General Manager, the new office will open in Yangon next month.

Khiri Travel, founded in 1994, currently has seven offices operational in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

Khiri Travel Group CEO and co-founder, Mr Willem Niemeijer, said that the timing was right for the Myanmar move.

"It is important to have the right people in place, so we can deliver the high quality travel experiences that our clients are used to in Myanmar, right from the start," Mr Niemeijer said. "In Edwin, we have a highly experienced Myanmar operator. People around the world are also starting to look at Myanmar with fresh eyes. The time is right."

Briels, a Dutch national, has six years' working experience in Myanmar. He joins Khiri Travel from Air Mandalay and previously worked for Exotissimo Travel in Myanmar as well as Balloons over Bagan. Between 2007 and 2010 Briels was general manager of Exotissimo Thailand.

In 2006 Briels was project manager for the construction of Malikha lodge, a luxury eight-villa property in the remote Putao valley of northern Myanmar. The lodge looks out over the snow capped mountains of the eastern Himalayas.

"Khiri Myanmar will open with many innovative travel offerings from around the fringes of the country," said Briels. "Thibaw and Kyaukme in Northern Shan State, the wonderful southern Shan State, Mrauk U, and the Rakhine Mountains will all be available as well as favourites such as Bagan, Mandalay and Inle. Being Khiri, our approach will be to deliver an innovative and responsible take on each place."

For example, a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon with Khiri Myanmar also involves a traditional breakfast, strolling and shopping in the lively market in the small alleys around the pagoda, and Buddhist offerings by the clients in the pagoda itself. A native antique connoisseur is available to give his insights on colonial residences in Pyin Oo Lwin. Khiri's guests may find themselves entering local markets through the back door so they can experience the real Myanmar among the local people.

"Better facilities and infrastructure in the country means that it is easier to visit more places," said Briels. "It's a very exciting time to be launching new travel experiences for our clients."

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