The Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA) Northeast Chapter hosted Ultimate Safaris of Namibia for a lunch presentation on Tuesday, February 8, at Paris Commune Restaurant in New York. More than 30 travel agents came to hear from Tristan Cowley, co-founder of Ultimate Safaris, which is based in the nation’s capital.
 |
| (from L-R) Fran Ostroff, Air Namibia; Tristan Cowley, Ultimate Safaris Namibia; Cheryl Lapow, South African Airways. |
"So much of what we do as a local destination management company is selling Namibia first and foremost," Cowley said. "We want to become a resource for travel agents when selling Namibia and create awareness of all that this amazing African destination has to offer. We recognize that the sophisticated US traveler to Africa is looking for new and unique experiences and the landscapes and game viewing opportunities in Namibia are unlike that of any other southern African destination."
Cowley provided agents with an excellent overview of the country and key highlights including the emblematic red sand dunes of the Sossusvlie, located in the Namib Desert, and Etosha National Park, home to some of Namibia’s best game viewing.
Easily accessible by several European and African airlines, Windhoek, the country’s capital, is the starting point of most Namibian safaris. South African Airways and Air Namibia were on hand at this presentation to provide agents information about their service. Of course having Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie among the country’s high profile visitors has helped to bring a certain "celebrity" factor to the destination, and with that has come an expansion of Namibia’s luxury offerings. Travel agents can feel secure that the accommodations and service at many of the five-star lodges and resorts are among some of the finest in southern Africa.
For information about the unique, inspiring and environmentally-sustainable safari options provided by Ultimate Safaris, visit www.ultimatesafaris.na.