Willem Niemeijer is the Founder and Managing Director of a number of SME businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector in Asia, bringing with him a wealth of expertise spanning 30+ years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry in Asia. As a Dutch native, Willem’s passion for travel began at a young age, exploring Europe by bicycle. In the 1980s, he started his professional career selling airline tickets at a student travel organization before moving to Thailand in 1987 to further his career in the travel industry.

Willem’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Khiri Travel in a small room of a Bangkok shophouse in 1993. Today, Khiri Travel operates in eight countries with 16 offices across Asia, welcoming over 30,000 visitors annually to the region. In 2007, Khiri Travel created Khiri Reach, a charity organization that ensures 100% of donations go towards its projects.

Willem’s passion for sustainable tourism led him to develop award-winning eco-lodges such as Tad Fane Resort in Southern Laos, Anurak Lodge in the South of Thailand, and Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia.

With a commitment to the triple bottom line: People, Planet, and Profit, Willem co-founded YAANA Ventures with Mark Remijan.