Ten Years of MakeYourAsia - A Letter from Our CEO
When I arrived in Vietnam in 2015, there were probably only about 30% of the skyscrapers you see today. Like many Europeans arriving here for the first time, I knew very little about everyday life in Southeast Asia. What I did bring was an open mind and a willingness to embrace change.
There is something special about Vietnam - its energy and its people - that makes you feel at home surprisingly quickly. You learn to navigate the endless streams of motorbikes, adapt to the tropical climate, and accept that life follows a different rhythm.
If someone had told me during my first year that I would meet two of my best friends, who would later become my business partners, and that together we would build a company, I would never have believed them.
I didn't just find a new country. I found lifelong friendships. I found a company. And, eventually, I found a home.
What started as an idea and a shared love for Southeast Asia - its culture, cuisine, diversity, and unique atmosphere - gradually became MakeYourAsia. Our goal was simple: to share the same emotions and experiences that had made us fall in love with this region with travelers from around the world.
Looking back today, I sometimes find it hard to believe how far we've come. What started as a simple idea shared by three friends has grown into a multinational team, working across eight destinations and creating unforgettable journeys for thousands of travelers. None of us could have imagined that ten years ago.
Of course, not every chapter was easy. Like the entire tourism industry, we faced two incredibly difficult years during the pandemic. At times, the future was uncertain. Today, I am incredibly proud that, thanks to the commitment, resilience, and support of our entire team, we didn't just survive that period - we used it to prepare ourselves for a new beginning. When travel returned, we were stronger, wiser, and ready for the next chapter.
Over the past ten years, thousands of travelers have explored eight countries with us. Together with our team, guides, and local partners, we have created thousands of itineraries, traveled hundreds of thousands of kilometers, and welcomed guests from all over the world.
We always try to remember that our guests give us the most valuable thing they have - their time. Our responsibility is to make sure we never waste it.
Personally, I believe the greatest reward we can receive is seeing our guests leave with a smile. Then, months later, they share those memories with friends, recommend us to others, or return to Southeast Asia with us again. There is no better compliment than that.
Behind every one of those experiences are the people who make up our team. Behind every journey is a team that genuinely cares - people who treat every itinerary as if they were planning it for their own friends and family.
I truly believe we have managed to combine the strengths of Central Europe with the creativity, flexibility, and warmth of Southeast Asia. Our multinational team is the best example of that. Together, we combine local knowledge with a deep understanding of what international travelers may need, expect, or find unfamiliar.
The continued growth of MakeYourAsia is, for me, the best proof that this approach works. More importantly, many of our guests return to travel with us again and recommend us to their families and friends. For me, that is the greatest measure of success.
