December 26, 2004: The images remain, retained in people's minds, of towering waves sweeping away villages, resorts, more than 270,000 lives. "How can we help?" people around the world ask, donating over $7 billion to relief efforts. In the months following the tragedy people now see an additional way to help sustain people in the countries ravaged by the tsunami: tourism.

"Many of the countries devastated by the tsunami depend heavily on tourism, which accounts for 6% percent of the GDP in Thailand and 7% in Malaysia," says C. Steen Hansen, co-publisher of Specialty Travel Index (STI). "Many popular attractions in these countries were not affected at all by the deadly series of waves. Travel to these regions not only brings in the money these nations need to rebuild--it supports people who work as hotel managers, taxi drivers, and tour guides--many of whom provide the sole incomes for their families. The best advice if you want to help--just go."

The new Spring/Summer 2005 issue of Specialty Travel Index features more than 300 tour operators with programs in over 300 destinations around the globe. The #1 source for information about unusual travel worldwide, STI can also be accessed online at www.specialtytravel.com.

Here's a round-up of trips to Southeast Asia that visit areas either not affected by the tsunami or destinations that are now rebuilt, reopened, and eager to receive travelers:

Sri Lanka: Welcoming Smiles. "Everyone who visits is amazed by how resilient the Sri Lankans are--even families who have lost everything, says Varini de Silva, president of Ceylon Express International. The nation is once again ready for tourism, with most hotels open and attractions such as Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the elephant orphanage at Pinnewala operating normally. For its first group tour after the tsunami, Ceylon Express has organized a program around the Kandy Perahera Festival (August 7 to 19, 2005), a pageant with hundreds of decorated elephants, dancers, drummers and torch bearers parading through Kandy. Part of the proceeds will benefit relief aid. "Sri Lankans are even more welcoming to visitors than usual, because they know the courage and heart it has taken these travelers to come," adds de Silva. [Ceylon Express International; 800/423-9566; www.ceylonexpress.com]

Bali: Through an Artist's Eye. Celebrated for both its vibrant Hindu culture and scenic vistas of beaches, rice paddies, and towering volcanoes, Indonesia's jewel-like island of Bali was completely untouched by the tsunami. This 14-day sojourn soothes the mind and indulges the senses with the arts and rituals of daily Balinese life. In addition to seeing museums, art galleries and temples (including Besakih, the holiest �Mother Temple� of Bali), travelers hike along black-sand beaches and sample traditional herbal jamu medicines applied in a healing and soothing massage. [Asian Pacific Adventures; 800-825-1680; www.asianpacificadventures.com]

Thailand: Heading for the Hill Tribes. Known for its cultural riches as well as stunning mountains, rivers, and waterfalls, the hill-tribe region of northern Thailand is located some 800 miles from isles on the Andaman Sea such as Phuket and Phi Phi--greater than the distance from New York to Atlanta. On this 15-day itinerary, visitors cover Sukothai, Thailand's ancient, 13th-century capital; Lamphun, setting for the Wat Hariphunchai Temple; Chiang Mai, the country's folk-art center; and other locales. Additional highlights include visits with villagers and a tour of an elephant working camp to see how these gentle giants are guided by their mahouts. [Alluring Asia; 800-420-5993; www.alluringasia.com]

Thailand: Bicycling the Golden Triangle. For travelers who want to combine cultural forays with active adventure, Backroads features an eight-day, multi-sport exploration of Thailand's fabled region near the borders of Laos and Myanmar. In this area of jungle-filled valleys and meandering rivers, participants pedal past rice paddies and along the banks of the Mekong River, hike to hill-tribe villages, float down the Maekok River by boat, and venture through the forests astride elephants. [Backroads; 800-GO-ACTIVE; www.backroads.com] Indonesia and Malaysia: Diving Vacations. Practically all the region's renowned dive sites escaped damage by the tsunami, including Manado and Lembeh on Sulawesi in Indonesia, and Sipadan in Malaysia. Diving enthusiasts will also want to check out some new locales that are starting to generate a lot of buzz. Located off Irian Jaya, the Raja Empat islands feature an astounding variety of fish life. A pristine atoll of 13 linked coral reefs, Layang Layang in Malaysia is known for the hammerhead sharks that migrate to the waters each May. Livewell Ventures can arrange a wide variety of dive explorations in the region. [Livewell Ventures; 877-357-0022; www.livewellventures.com]

Maldives: Live-Aboard Luxury. Straddling the equator in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives comprise over 1,000 islands in a garland-shaped chain of 26 coral atolls. (Most islanders received warnings about the approaching tsunami and rode out the waves in boats on the leeward side of islands.) An 85-foot live-aboard yacht, the M.Y. Manthiri allows divers to delve into the underwater wonders of the Maldives, where star attractions include manta rays and whale sharks. Six double cabins with en-suite bath, hot showers, hairdryer, and mini-bar make for high living on the high seas. [Manthiri Maldives; 877-357-0022; www.manthiri.com]

India: Southern Comforts. For globetrotters who have already experienced the Jodhpur fort and Taj Mahal, southern India beckons with new perspectives and panoramas. The southwestern coast of the sub-continent--unscathed by the tsunami--features everything from fishing villages to tea gardens, colonial enclaves to palmy beaches. On this 12-day itinerary, highlights include Cochin, a seaside city which mingles Indian, Portuguese, and Dutch history, architecture and style; a traditional houseboat stay on the estuarine waters near Kerala; and Varkala, known for its white-sand beaches. [Intrepid Travel, Inc.; 877-448-1616; www.intrepidtravel. com] STI is easy to use, indexing tours by both activity (horse riding, horticulture) and destination (Montana, New Zealand). Subscriptions cost $10 per year (Canada $15, foreign $22) for two issues: January (Spring/Summer) and August (Fall/Winter). Send orders to: info@specialtytravel.com or order online at www.specialtytravel.com.

Press Contact: Steen Hanson Ph: +1 415 455 1640 shansen@specialtytravel.com