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Lucille Sive // (c) 2010 |
With the 2010 World Cup bringing South Africa into international limelight, Africa is expected to see an increase in travel. Lion World Tours, in fact, offers tourists the best that the continent has to offer. Specializing in individual and group tours to Southern Africa, the tour operator strives for trusted, knowledgeable staff and surprisingly affordable prices. TravelAge West catches up with Lucille Sive, president of Lion World Tours, to discuss the tour packages offered in Africa.
What kind of packages do you offer, and for what kind of tourists are they designed?
We pride ourselves on providing luxury travel but at affordable prices: we call our packages Affordable Luxury, and they are all four- and five-star packages at great prices. We realize that in this market everyone is looking for great deals, so we reach to our industry’s distressed inventory to provide them.
Do you believe you are helping local economies by organizing tours through local hotels, parks, wildlife reserves, museums and landmarks?
Yes. We also sponsor a preschool in the Sabi Sands area, and a portion of each tour sold goes toward helping that school. So far we have built new toilets and a fence around the property, and have sponsored a graduation. Visiting a school or township is amazing and allows you to see the real Africa.
How do you see Africa competing during these times of travel downturn?
I think that Africa is hot — in more ways than one. And with the great prices we offer, you can go to Africa for a price similar to that of a Caribbean holiday or cruise. In recent years, African travel has become a lot more popular, and also more affordable. I think that the World Cup will only bring more awareness, to South Africa in particular. In the future, Africa will definitely become a bigger market for escorted travel, especially since we have found that Americans prefer to travel with fellow Americans in certain areas.
What is your favorite itinerary offered by Lion World Tours?
There are so many to choose from, but our new Classic South Africa offers amazing value, with four nights in Cape Town at the five-star 15 on Orange and two nights at Lion Sands River Lodge in the Sabi Sands. Other favorites include the Royal Treatment and our signature South Africa in Style. One travel experience that is not to be missed is going on an open-vehicle safari in a private game park. You get up close to the animals, and there is just no way to describe how incredible that experience is.
What does Lion World Tours offer that no other touring agency offers?
We feel that we offer personal service, great prices and excellent product knowledge. Marketing strategies to attract clients include lots of press releases with excellent packages, as well as dealing only with reputable companies in Africa that we have known and trusted for years. This ensures that clients come back from the trip of a lifetime.
Lion World Tours
www.lionworldtours.com
