The Eastern & Oriental Express and Save Wild Tigers Fight the Plight of Wild Tigers with the Launch of the ‘Tiger Express’
On 7th September 2019, the Eastern & Oriental Express and global tiger conservation charity initiative, Save Wild Tigers, are partnering to launch the ‘Tiger Express’ – raising awareness of the plight of the world’s last remaining wild tigers.
To mark the occasion, a selection of inspirational personalities will be helping to spread the message globally. Chinese pop artist and Save Wild Tigers Ambassador, Jacky Tsai – the name behind Alexander McQueen’s famous floral skull – will provide a visual reminder throughout Asia by curating two of the train’s external carriages with a tiger flair. Whilst on board, Ping Coombes Master Chef UK 2014 champion – another Save Wild Tigers’ Ambassador – will be cooking up a storm for guests.
The ‘Tiger Express’
The six-night itinerary will see guests travel in luxury from Bangkok to Singapore through the historic tiger territories in Malaysia and Thailand with a stay at the Siam Bangkok and Raffles Singapore included in the package. During the journey, guests will embark on several excursions including a guided visit to the River Kwai and a tour of Kuala Kangsar. Additional tiger-themed touches on board will include bespoke Jim Thompson scarves for sale.
‘Art in Motion’
For the carriage design, Tsai will draw on his love of pop art combined with traditional Chinese values to create a vibrant and eye-catching design which will be unveiled ahead of the journey in September. To tie in with the theme of this special journey, tigers will be a prominent feature in the art work along with the Asian landscape and nature. This third generation of ‘Art in Motion’ for the Eastern & Oriental Express will remain on the train for year.
The Current Situation
The wild tiger has huge cultural and historical significance throughout Asia but it is a little-known fact that worldwide tiger numbers are now at critical levels with only 3,800 tigers left in the wild globally & few as 400 in Thailand & Malaysia combined. These 3,800 remaining wild tigers are for the most part spread across Indian sub-continent, Asia & Russia but within a decade based on current rates of decline could be completely extinct. This special journey aims to raise awareness of their plight.
‘A Worthwhile Cause’
“It is a sad fact that today there are more tigers in captivity than there are in the wild, our train travels through the heart of the historic tiger territories in Malaysia and Thailand and we are proud to lend our support to this worthwhile cause. We find that our guests are increasingly looking to give back to have an impact on the places they are visiting in a bid to travel more consciously. Following the success of the last ‘Tiger Express’ we are very excited to run this journey again to help spread the message worldwide” said Gary Franklin, Vice President, Trains & Cruises, Belmond.
Simon Clinton, Founder, Save Wild Tigers comments, “With potentially as few as 10 years left to save this iconic species from extinction, the clock really is ticking. We are really proud & grateful to be working with the Eastern & Oriental Express once again in providing passengers a chance to experience a trip of a lifetime, for what surely must be the cause of a lifetime. Profits from our all of our campaigns go towards creating global awareness campaigns for the cause & funding targeted tiger conservation projects.”
The Background
The ultimate in slow travel, the iconic green and gold carriages of Eastern & Oriental Express transport guests away from the fast pace of everyday life for an adventure on the rails. Journeying through some of the world’s most untouched destinations, guests disembark for daily immersive excursions before sitting back and relaxing in the comfort of their luxury cabin or the open-air observation car as the scenery changes around them.
Prices start from £3,724 or approximately IDR70,000,000 per person based on two people sharing a twin cabin and including all table d’hote meals, one night accommodation at Siam Bangkok, one night accommodation at Raffles Singapore, three nights on board the train including two excursions and transfers to and from the train. Up to 20% of ticket prices for this journey will go directly to Save Wild Tigers. To book or for more information visit Belmond.com or call 0845 077 2222.
About Belmond
Belmond is a global collection of exceptional hotel and luxury travel adventures in some of the world’s most inspiring and enriching destinations. Established almost 40 years ago with the acquisition of Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice, the Company owns and operates 46 unique and distinctive hotel, rail and river cruise experiences in many of the world’s most celebrated destinations. From city landmarks to intimate resorts, the collection includes Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg; Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro; Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa, Riviera Maya; and Belmond El Encanto, Santa Barbara. Belmond also encompasses safaris, six luxury tourist trains including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, three river cruises and ‘21’, one of New York’s most storied restaurants.
About Save Wild Tigers
Save Wild Tigers is a global marketing focussed charity initiative set up by Simon Clinton in 2011.
Wild Tigers are being hunted for their skins, bones and parts by the illegal poaching trade. The illegal trade in endangered species is worth around £12 billion every year. Additionally, the Tigers’ natural habitat is being decimated by greedy developers, which increases the risk of human/animal conflict points.
“Our mission is to raise awareness levels, targeting the public and all related stakeholders, whilst providing urgent & ongoing financial support for tiger conservation in a bid to combat and reverse the increasing threat of extinction that wild tigers face.” Simon Clinton, Founder, Save Wild Tigers.
Save Wild Tigers also work in conjunction with leading global conservation charities such as the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), WCS in Malaysia and The Satpuda landscape tiger conservation programme (in conjunction with Born Free) In India. Working together our goal is to end the illegal trade in tiger parts and protect wild tigers in their natural habitat.
With as few as 3,800 tigers left in the wild, time is running out to save this majestic species from extinction. We want to inspire the public to join us and act to save, surely one of the planets’ most beautiful & captivating species for future generations.
