Insider Insights Into 2017's Asia Travel Trends

New Year's invariably starts with resolutions to be good to ourselves, and what can be better than making the time to travel? To help you make the most of your commitment to experience the world, Asian travel experts Insider Journeys have compiled their top Asia travel trends for 2017 to guide travellers:

Sailing in Myanmar

River cruising in Asia may be all the buzz, but the best way to see the waterways is by yacht. The stunning Mergui Archipelago is a pristine string of undeveloped islands located between Southern Myanmar and Thailand, in the Andaman Sea.

Imagine starting off 2017 spending six days sailing in luxury amidst these jungle-covered islands, which are home to vibrant wildlife, coral reefs, white sand and the Moken 'sea gypsy' people.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an intriguing mix of interesting design and architecture, magnificent beaches and coves, national parks and safari experiences. See elephants or leopards, try a distinct local cuisine and experience a deeply historic culture as you explore the different districts across the island. For tea lovers, take a historic train to the colonial tea centre of Nuwara Eilya.

The northern region of this island nation only reopened to visitors in the past few years. Visit before the world does.

Quirky Japan

Japan celebrates the quirky, odd and spectacular, and deserves to be discovered with an open mind. Day tours that explore uniquely Japanese experiences that can't be replicated anywhere else are becoming increasingly popular, with good reason.

Who wouldn't want to visit a sumo training stable, to get a true understanding of this powerful duelling sport, followed by enjoying a sumo lunch of chanko-name, or to visit a sake brewery and have lunch in a traditional Machiya, a wooden townhouse seen in Kyoto? Or equally, gain insights into the lives of Geishas, an understanding of anime or the chance to explore Naoshima, a remote island dedicated to contemporary art and architecture? Only in Japan.

Off the beaten track beaches

Nostalgia for simpler times and less development, and before the need for a digital detox, will continue to inform travel choices. The good news is such places still exist. Scattered across Asia, there are idyllic beaches that are virtually untouched paradises, waiting to be explored.

There's the dozen unspoilt islands just off the coast of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, famous for seafood, sandy beaches for days, and national parks which all can be reached by speedboat. The pristine sleepy seaside resorts of western Myanmar including Ngapali Beach, named within Trip Advisor's top ten Best Beaches for 2016 by travellers, or the pristine natural environment of Khanom Beach in south east Thailand which is home to the rare pink dolphins will also have you indulging in time away from the masses.

Unique places to rest your head

The demand for unique accommodation with local influences is on the rise, and nowhere is the diversity of offering clearer than in Asia. From safari glamping and staying in forts with revered family hosts in India, to gers (yurts) in Mongolia, eco lodges in Sapa, northern Vietnam and Laos, and ryokans in Japan, there's a host of different stays across Asia.

Homestays are also possible; a stay at Takeo homestay in Cambodia is linked with the opportunity to act as a support English teacher for a day and the chance to interact with local children.

China beyond the cities

The country is recognised for its bustling, modern fast changing cities, but not for its natural experiences – although it's home to 225 national parks.

Some of the most spectacular parks are the mist-shrouded Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which played a role in inspiring the world of 'Pandora' in James Cameron's blockbuster Avatar, the country's only tropical natural reserve Xishuangbanna at the south end of Yunnan Province, or Sichuan's mountainous nature reserve, Jiuzhaigou, on the edge of the Tibetan plateau.

As air access between China and Australia improves, exploring China's regional and rural areas will undoubtably become increasingly popular.

Responsible travel

More than ever travellers in 2017 will be seeking tours, accommodation, experiences and destinations that are culturally sensitive, environmentally aware and responsible. Given 2017 is the United Nation's International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, we're not surprised considerate travel will rate high on traveller's check lists. Acting in harmony with local cultures and being mindful of our impact on the communities we visit can only be a good thing, so we're all for it.

For inspiring on-trend tours and itineraries, visit www.insiderjourneys.com.au or phone 1300 365 355.