Travel Agent - August 20, 2007 - (Page 36)

Destinations South Africa Pacific Delight Tours’ South Africa Itinerary The company’s “South Africa Highlights” tour is a hit BY MARK ROGERS mrogers@questex.com icdelighttours.com) has had a successful year with its South Africa tour program. This success has inspired the company to continue its focus on this long-haul dream destination at the tip of the African continent. Pacific Delight’s latest brochure features “Highlights of South Africa,” an itinerary built around the country’s most popular options for sightseeing. “Last year we offered a number of tours to both East Africa and South Africa,” says Rosalyn Gershell, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Pacific Delight Tours. “We found that the most popular was our 11-day “Highlights of South Africa” tour—so we decided to concentrate our marketing on that itinerary for 2007-2008.” P acific Delight Tours (www.pacif South Africa’s picturesque winelands region is a stop on this popular itinerary “People have a strong interest in experiencing the wildlife and culture of Africa, and South Africa is very safe,” says Gershell. a guided tour of the falls, a Sundowner Cruise and roundtrip transfers from Livingstone, Zambia. Accommodations are at the Zambezi Sun Hotel, a deluxe hotel situated in a National Wildlife Park; and the Royal Livingstone, a luxury property. The two hotels are part of the Sun International hotel and entertainment company (www.suninternation al.com) on the banks of the Zambezi River. Airfare from Johannesburg to Livingstone is additional ($190 each way). What to Expect For the “Highlights of South Africa” tour, Pacific Delight uses certified guides that are versed in several languages. They’re also experienced in finding the best spots in the park to view game. There are two-way radios on all vehicles; as guides in a vehicle spot a scene of unusual interest, they can radio other vehicles in the group to share the viewing of wildlife. All vehicles used in the tour are fewer than three years old and are owned by Pacific Delight’s ground operator—guaranteeing that they are consistently well-maintained and available even during peak season. The “Highlights of South Africa” tour is $3,228 to $3,838 per person double, depending on season. Price includes roundtrip air from New York on South African Airways (www.flysaa.com), as well as transfers, accommodations, all intraAfrica transportation, sightseeing, daily breakfast and selected dinners. A two-night extension to Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is available from $388. Included in this price is What’s Included The “Highlights of South Africa” tour includes a visit to Kruger National Park, known for its excellent opportunities to view Africa’s “Big Five” wildlife: lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo and rhinos. Visitors will have the opportunity to see these majestic creatures when they spend two days in the park with both early morning and late afternoon game drives. Also featured in the itinerary are visits to Johannesburg and Cape Town, with day tours to nearby sightseeing points of interest. One such tour features the Cape Peninsula and includes the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. A second spotlights a drive through picturesque Stellenbosch, the heart of South Africa’s wine region, with a tasting at one of the wine estates. Flexibility “With our South Africa tours, travelers can select any departure date that meets their individual needs—all that is required is a minimum of just two persons, and the tour departure is guaranteed,” says Gershell. “These tours are attractively priced and offer the calendar flexibility of independent travel.” Pacific Delight Tours pays 10 percent commission with higher levels based on volume as negotiated. “We pay full commission at whatever level is established for both land and air, which isn’t the case with many tour operators,” adds Gershell. New Pacific Delight Tours’ brochures can be ordered through the company’s web site: www.pacificdelighttours.com. 36 TravelAgent August 20, 2007 http://www.pacificdelighttours.com http://www.pacificdelighttours.com http://www.suninternational.com http://www.suninternational.com http://www.flysaa.com http://www.pacificdelighttours.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - August 20, 2007

Contents Editor's Letter News You Can Use Agenda: Fam Trips, Calendar of Events, Deal of the Week Cover Story: Hot Cruise Ports: 2008 and Beyond Central & South America: Costa Rica’s New Resort Europe: Heathrow Upgrades Hawaii: Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa Caribbean: Westin’s Plans in the D.R. Still on Track Africa: Pacific Delight Tours’ South Africa Itinerary Hotels: West Virginia Icon Gets Makeover Tech Advisor: Search Engine Optimization 101 Spa Luxury Travel Expo Update Advertisers’ Information Classified Marketplace People & Places

Travel Agent - August 20, 2007

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