Willem Niemeijer | Founder Partner
VHG Asia

Willem Niemeijer is the Founder and CEO of VHG Hospitality Asia, bringing more than three decades of leadership experience in Asia’s hospitality and tourism sectors. A Dutch national who made Thailand his home in 1987, Willem began his career in travel before launching his first venture, Khiri Travel, from a small Bangkok shophouse in 1993. Today, Khiri Travel operates across nine Asian destinations with 20 offices and welcomes over 30,000 travellers annually. Willem has long been a champion of responsible and regenerative tourism. He founded Khiri Reach in 2007 to ensure 100% of donations directly support grassroots community and environmental projects. He has played a leading role in creating award-winning eco-lodges including Tad Fane Resort in Laos, Anurak Community Lodge in southern Thailand, and Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia. In recent years, Willem co-founded YAANA Ventures with Mark Remijan, expanding his focus into sustainable hospitality, travel technology, and impact-led ventures. Under YAANA, he established VHG Hospitality Asia, the specialist company behind Visama Lodges—a growing collection of luxury tented camps in exceptional natural and cultural landscapes. Following the successful opening of Visama Lodge Nan in northern Thailand, the group is now developing its next property in Cambodia, with additional sites under consideration across Asia. With a commitment to The Long Run’s 4Cs—Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce—Willem continues to drive projects that blend meaningful guest experiences with measurable positive impact.