Explore, Embrace and Experience Myanmar with Memories Group
Memories Group’s Integrated Tourism Platform offers a range of quality products and services under a cohesive brand overseen by a highly qualified management team. The internationally experienced team is made up of both expatriates and Myanmar nationals. Memories Group has a strong international network and brand recognition through its well-established international sales channels and representative channels abroad. It also owns Balloons Over Bagan and Burma Boating, which are popular brands in the international market, and is building a collection of hotels under its own exclusive brands.
Business Segments
Balloons Over Bagan and Balloons Over Inle
Memories Group’s Experiences segment includes Balloons Over Bagan, Balloons Over Inle, Burma Boating and Bagan Land. Balloons Over Bagan is currently the largest commercial hot-air balloon operation in Myanmar, with 12 balloons operating out of Bagan and two at Inle Lake carrying more than 20,000 people every season. Its iconic burgundy coloured balloons and branding have been featured on many travel magazine covers, hence becoming one of Myanmar’s most popular tourist attractions. Tourists booking a ride in the hot-air balloons get to choose from two ride options – a classic balloon ride or a premium variety which includes a continental breakfast in addition to light refreshments and champagne at the end of the ride. Floating over the plains of Bagan, balloon riders get a bird’s eye view of a seemingly never-ending blend of thousands of stupas and greenery against the backdrop of a sunrise. Similarly, Balloons Over Inle glide over the floating farms of Inle and riders get to witness skilled fishermen fishing for the day’s catch and paddling boats with a single leg on the oar while balancing at the stern on the other. Inle Lake was Myanmar’s first destination to receive a UNESCO certification under the World Network of Biosphere Reserves list. The balloons flight season runs from October to April annually when the weather is calm and dry.
Burma Boating
Burma Boating is a well-known luxury yachting company that offers guests a premium cruise experience on luxury yachts in the Mergui Archipelago in southern Myanmar. It owns the 85-foot, 4-cabin Meta IV yacht and partners with several other yacht owners to offer a wide range of yachts available for charter. The Mergui Archipelago is a sparsely populated region with more than 800 islands of varying sizes and home to the native Moken people. Also called “sea gypsies”, these indigenous people lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle and are trained from young to dive for seafood. The Archipelago remains one of Earth’s most unspoilt regions and steps are taken by the government as well as private tourism operators to ensure that sustainable and ecotourism practices are maintained. Its rich marine life and biodiversity also presents an opportunity to see endangered marine species such as the whale shark and dugong amongst untouched coral reefs. Travellers to the Archipelago typically spend up to a week exploring the islands and the clear blue waters of the Andaman Sea. To do so, they can join Burma Boating on a scheduled cruise trip with other travellers, or privately charter a yacht for themselves. Burma Boating has been rated ‘excellent’ on TripAdvisor by many travellers, and they have also been featured in many renowned travel magazines and publications such as National Geographic Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Condé Nast Traveller and DestinAsian.
Hotels
Awei Metta
Pun Hlaing Lodge, is an upscale 46-room development outfitted with full hotel facilities including an exclusive cigar room. It is situated within the Pun Hlaing Estate in Yangon, that has a Gary Player designed 18-hole golf course, which guests of the hotel have priority access to. This development will be especially attractive to international and domestic event organisers, golf tourists, spectators, competitors as well as business travellers. Yangon is the largest city in Myanmar with over seven million inhabitants. It boasts the largest number of colonial-era buildings in Southeast Asia and is home to the sacred Shwedagon Pagoda as well as the 2,000-year-old Sule Pagoda.
Keinnara Hpa-An
Hpa An Lodge is a 19-room boutique hotel surrounded by natural, lush greenery. Located in the foothills of Mount Zwekabin, the property has 18 wooden cottages designed in Karen-style architecture and one new sky dome villa that sits atop a rocky cliff. Hpa An Lodge is fully equipped with modern facilities to provide guests with a comfortable stay. The lodge also frequently organises trekking and exotic village excursions, sunset cruises on the Than Lwin River, and picnic lunches in a traditional Karen House. The town of Hpa An is the picturesque capital of Kayin State. It is surrounded by caves and mountains and draws many visitors because of its dramatic karst mountain scenery. Mount Zwekabin in Hpa An is a popular tourist destination, which attracts hundreds of adventurous visitors each day trekking up the mountain for a rewarding view from the summit.
Keinnara Loikaw
Kayah Resort is located in Loikaw, Kayah State, and has 24 bungalows and two executive suites on its property. Memories Group plans to refresh and enhance the resort’s facilities and increase its room rate in order to generate a better yield. Kayah State is home to many distinctive tribal cultures, but the most internationally known is the Kayan, whose ‘long-necked’ women have a tradition of sporting metal coils around their necks. Kayah State offers pristine nature, lush landscapes, scenic hikes and ‘off the beaten track’ experiences to tourists. Another popular attraction in Loikaw is the Kyet Cave, which is the third longest cave in Myanmar.
Hotel Suggati Mawlamyaing
Hotel Suggati Mawlamyaing, is a newly built hotel in the city of Mawlamyaing, Mon State. The 72-room business and leisure hotel is designed and built under the supervision of Memories Group. Mawlamyaing is the fourth largest city in Myanmar with a population of about 400,000 people. Formerly known as Moulmein, it was once a major port and the administrative capital of British Lower Burma. The town’s signature landmark is the Kyaikthanlan Pagoda. It stands on a ridge, giving a panoramic view of the city, and is surrounded by 34 smaller temples. Among its sacred treasures is a hair relic of Buddha, as well as the Tripitaka Buddhist manuscripts.
Services
Memories Travel (Asia Holidays Travels & Tours)
Memories Group’s Services segment comprises travel and destination management, creates new opportunities to explore regions previously unknown to international travellers. With in-depth knowledge of the local landscape and global experience in hospitality, Memories Group is committed to ensuring that every detail of the travel itinerary from transportation logistics, cultural experience to recreational activities, is handled with care and attention so that its customers can travel with ease.
Asia Holidays Travel & Tours Co. Ltd (“AHTT”) provides full-scale and personalised tour services, which include designing and organising fully customised itineraries and tour packages for agencies and individuals, as well as customising unique excursions, activities and cultural experiences for the travellers. AHTT also organises MICE events in Myanmar and manages tour logistics including recommending and booking accommodation, restaurants and transportation. During a stay in Myanmar, AHTT will also arrange and provide multi-lingual travel guides for the tour itineraries.