by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:13 PM ET, Thu October 11, 2018
Amid a spate of news about overtourism challenges in Asia, including Thailand's announcement that it will close its most popular beach indefinitely, Intrepid has released a Not Hot List for the region.
The small group adventure tour operator, known for its bold, industry-leading focus on responsible tourism, compiles a Not Hot List annually to provide travelers with sustainable alternatives to popular destinations.
The newest version of the list, focused exclusively on Asia, is designed to help combat the challenges the region is currently facing. In addition to Thailand closing Maya Bay indefinitely, the Philippines made headlines for shutting down the small resort island of Boracay for six months due to unsustainable tourism practices.
"Recently, we've seen a number of Asian countries take a proactive approach to combat overtourism," said Intrepid Regional Director for North America, Darshika Jones. "North Americans are increasingly concerned with overtourism and this is about encouraging them to step away from the familiar to approach this continent in the most intrepid way possible."
Tourism can be a potent force for good, but as North American's interest in traveling to Asia grows, it becomes increasingly important to disperse those visitors to lesser-known regions.
Intrepid's Not Hot List for 2019, Asia Edition:
The Similan Islands are the new Maya Bay
With Maya Bay no longer an option as of summer 2018, travelers can still enjoy the warm blue-green Andaman Sea, blinding white sands and marvelous limestone oddities when visiting the Similan Islands.
The islands offer a quiet scene, combining rainforests and pristine beaches with a touch of history, having been made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. Hit by the 2004 tsunami, the island Khao Lak has since recovered and welcomes visitors to experience the destination.
Intrepid's Cruising the Thai Islands adventure is priced from $2,128 per person.
Komodo is the new Ubud
Once considered the adventurous alternative to Seminyak, Ubud has flourished in popularity thanks to its haven of health and healers. The day trip market means a lessened contribution to Ubud's economy and puts pressure on local infrastructure.
Komodo is a viable alternative for those travelers who are willing to sail from Bali through the Indonesian archipelago and is a place where ancient tribes maintain their traditions in deep rainforest valleys. Travelers can snorkel coral reefs, walk across volcanic black sand beaches and watch for the legendary and fierce Komodo dragons.
Intrepid's Komodo and Flores tour is priced from $1,605 per person.
Bukhara is the new Angkor Wat
Central Asia is still as remote as can be when it comes to Asian countries. The Stans offer a Silk Road experience rich with stories of migration, religion and trade. Uzbekistan's fifth largest city Bukhara is a UNESCO world heritage site and the entire old city center and has more than 5,000 years of human history.
There are more than 140 monuments and historical buildings to explore, including Po-i-Kalyan Mosque which, during its 1,300 years of history, even survived assault from Genghis Khan.
Intrepid Travel's Uzbekistan Adventure is priced from $1,425 per person.
Ladakh is the new Everest
While Nepal will always be a must-do for active travelers wanting to challenge themselves, Ladakh is rising in popularity for its hiking and breathtaking scenery of the Indian Himalayas.
Travelers can break up the hiking with river rafting, and visiting remote villages, monasteries and religious sites. To really appreciate the quiet natural beauty of the Ladakh region, some travelers stay in bustling Delhi before and after their treks.
Intrepid's India Himalaya: Bike, Hike and Raft in Ladakh tour is priced from $1,755 per person.
Naoshima is the new Osaka
Travelers have long been lured to the iconic and future-focused cities of Japan like Osaka. Intrepid Travel has noted a 31 percent growth in bookings to Japan from North Americans in 2018 compared to last year.
The company recommends travelers discover the southern islands or 'lost Japan' as interest in the country continues to increase. Naoshima Island has been transformed from a sleepy fishing community to a world-class art destination with a variety of sleek and stylish museums.
Travelers can cycle between galleries, outdoor sculptures and modern architecture. The Southern Islands also houses impressive castles and Japan's oldest hot spring baths - Dogo Onsen.
Intrepid's Southern Japan Experience is priced from $4,970 per person.
Sumatra is the new Borneo
Sumatra is as exotic a destination as Borneo, offering national parks and endemic species. As the world's sixth largest island, Sumatra made headlines earlier this year with the Mount Sinabung volcano eruption. These geothermal activities have created surreal landscapes such as Gunung Leuser National Park, home to one of the richest ecosystems in the world.
Sumatra is also where travelers have the best chance of spotting wild orangutans in Indonesia.
Intrepid's Sumatra Adventure is priced from $1,205 per person.
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