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Tourist SouthAfrica BREATHTAKING DIVERSITY AND MATCHLESS SERVICE
South Africa offers some of the most stunning visitor and traveller experiences anywhere in the world. And major specialist travel management company and coach operator Springbok Atlas is one of its best guides and facilitators. Colin Chinery reports. 2
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Springbok Atlas FEATURE
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t’s an accolade and a truism short on words, long on impact - South Africa: ‘A World in One Country’. And the nation’s unique richness of natural, historical and cultural attractions is indisputably varied, exciting and beguiling. Add to this the extraordinary wildlife, superb climate, great nightlife and world class hotels and restaurants, and South Africa’s appeal for the traveller and tourist is surely without equal. For many, Springbok Atlas, one of Southern Africa’s largest and bestknown tour operators, is a perfect way of
We are frequently commended on the quality and wellmaintained condition of our coaches discovering and delighting in these rich and diverse experiences. A leader in Southern African destination management, Springbok Atlas is an obvious choice for the design and operation of group tours. A comprehensive range of services and products is being continually developed to meet the high expectations of international and domestic tourists. “Our experience gives an in-depth understanding of markets and their preferences,” says Cape Town-based Chief Executive Officer Patrick Vella. “This results in creative and accurate itineraries at most competitive prices, and brings supreme organizational skills to a seamless trip.” www.southafricamag.com
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The Palace of Dreams
Springbok Atlas FEATURE
The Springbok Atlas product range includes: Scheduled Tours
ed departure A selection of guarante rs is day or long distance tou ern and uth So available throughout ge from East Africa. These ran and ay aw ak bre , ce long distan aks, to bre ort sh d an rs tou fly-in me so – r day tours. Each tou is – an rm Ge in are available st be the er off to d designe , leisure balance between travel . and sightseeing day tour between One example is the 16 Town featuring the Johannesburg and Cape including open vehicle , ica highlights of South Afr Park, Swaziland, lunch er ug Kr game drives in the the traditional Zulu village, and cultural show in a the for s ou fam orn ho Garden Route, and Oudts ms. ch far Cango Caves and ostri ate tour of South Africa This surely is the ultim nic exciting wildlife and eth with splendid scenery, ure leis h wit ce pa urely diversity, taken at a leis d. en d an rt sta time at the
and Tailor-made group s ur to l individua
itineraries Here self-drive or group ced travel en eri exp by red are prepa customer’s consultants to match the rvations se Re ts. en specific requirem are available and recommendations including for a range of services rants, flights, tau accommodation, res ssional ofe Pr . ing ee golf and sights are available foreign language guides skilled team a d an to accompany tours hand for the on rs ne of itinerary desig individual traveller. in Southern “Our tailor-made tours st of the be Africa feature the very travelling, of ce lan region in a fine ba e,” says Patrick Vella. tim ure leis d sightseeing an e division dedicated to There is also a separat ce ‘Meet and Greet’ servi providing a professional nsfers. on arrival and airport tra
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Proof of this is a strong brand and proven 64 year history – Springbok Atlas was voted one of the Top 10 Tourism Brands in the SA Tourism Update Marketing Index July 2009 – and says Vella, “our long standing relationships with agents and the stability and continuity of both management and staff.”
We are feeling very optimistic about the future The company operates tours throughout, including Cape Town, the Garden Route, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Sun City and the Kruger Park. It owns and maintains its own fleet of over 160 vehicles in South Africa and Namibia, ranging from microbuses to 44 seat luxury coaches and 60 seat buses. “We’re frequently commended on the quality and well-maintained condition of our coaches and the safety, helpfulness, professionalism, friendliness and smart appearance
Peermont
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ith its numerous awards, Peermont prides itself on reaching new heights while Peermont Hotels Casinos Resorts, providing destinations that guarantee relaxing stays and exciting times. South Africa’s most empowered Peermont has a range of 3, 4 and hospitality and gaming company, owns 5 star hotel brands ideally suited and operates 14 properties in South to discerning travellers. From Johannesburg to Gaborone, Mafikeng Africa and Botswana. to Klerksdorp or Secunda to Southbroom, Peermont hotels offer unique destinations located near to major cities. From the luxury and ideal airport location of the 5-star D’oreale Grande at Emperors Palace to the chic and affordable new 3-star Metcourt hotels all over South Africa and Botswana, Peermont resorts offer a welcome alternative to chains. Peermont offers more than just a bed – it prides itself in offering exciting entertainment, relaxing accommodation, enjoyable restaurants, fantastic casino action, spas and great golfing – all in a safe and secure environment
For more information please contact: Tel: +27 (0) 11 557 0557 Fax: +27 (0) 11 463 6185 Email: intsales@peermont.com
www.peermont.com www.southafricamag.com
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Springbok Atlas FEATURE
of our drivers” says Patrick Vella. Consumer praise too for the service of the Springbok Atlas tour consultants. “Customers comment on how they go the extra mile to make last minute changes or requests etc to ensure a thoroughly successful holiday. And our administrative service levels get a top mark for the quick turnaround time for quotes, efficiency and high standard of service.”
But like the rest of the world, this South Africa has its problems, and perceptions of crime are an issue says Vella. “As in all large cities, people are advised to be aware when walking around on their own, especially in the evenings. In general the tourist areas are very safe. “Our in-depth knowledge of the destination, services and suppliers helps us to make safe recommendations and avoid any security issues. And needless to say we always give open and honest alerts to agents or clients about areas or issues of concern.” 8
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IRIZAR Irizar has been a proud supplier to Springbok Atlas for some years already, and relishes the opportunity to supply vehicles to such a safety conscious coach operator. Irizar has a strong focus on the upper end of the coach market and is able to supply coaches within a short lead time. We congratulate both Mr. Paddy Vella & Springbok Atlas on all of their successes so far, and wish them all of the best going beyond 2010
While the World Cup is set to promote South Africa internationally on an unprecedented scale, it takes place in what for tour operators is the traditional low season. “Any normal tourism for this season is not able to take place, such as our scheduled tours, as we were unable to secure the accommodation and will be utilizing our fleet of vehicles elsewhere,” says Patrick Vella. “However we do anticipate a lot of new interest in the country post World Cup”. As with all other sectors, the recession is impacting on the South African tourist and travel business. “Our UK market is the most affected, but things are certainly indicating that we are heading for improvements as the number of enquiries is on the increase again. “The challenge in a recession is to keep
Scania For ten years Scania South Africa has been supplying Atlas Springbok’s fleet with new luxury coaches. And this all-inclusive relationship extends to fleet maintenance, 15,000km servicing, and driver training. “The reliability of our vehicles speaks for itself which is why Atlas Springbok continue buying new vehicles from u,” says Scania SA’s National Sales Manager - Bus & Coach, Roberto Virgili. “We have a huge reliability and after sales support structure.”
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complete destination management
Escorted & Tailor-made Tours Airport Transfer Services Incentives & Special Events Coach Hire Conference Support Services
For booking enquiries, please contact your local Africa Specialist Cape Town HeaD oFFICe: Tel: +27 21 460 4700, Fax +27 21 447 9472, Email: tours@springbokatlas.com www.springbokatlas.com Page One Design
people motivated and continue to give excellent service. Another factor is that a lot of the travel at the moment has a short lead time, so we have to move quickly to get everything in place.
Springbok Atlas was voted one of the Top 10 Tourism Brands in the SA Tourism Update Marketing Index July 2009 “The Soccer World Cup in South Africa this year is a great opportunity to showcase the country. So with this and the recession appearing to slacken off, we are feeling very optimistic about the future.”END In today’s competitive tour operator marketplace, your agents and customers expect a fast quality service with the ability to tailor your products and services to their requirements. Additionally they may ask that you provide them with 24/7 web booking facilities and direct online (XML) connectivity options. On top of that, you need to deliver all of this more efficiently and profitably than your competitors. Welcome to Tourplan – trusted by 290 tour operator customers in 54 countries to run their businesses.
tel: +27 (11) 9180031 email: sales@sa.tourplan.com web: www.tourplan.com
Springbok Atlas FEATURE
AQUILA SAFARI
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quila is home to an enormous variety of game, including the Big 5 -- elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and Set in the pristine Southern Karoo leopard -- giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, many different antelope, baboons, jackal, batHighlands against a backdrop of eared foxes, hippos and crocodiles. dramatic mountains, the Aquila Private And many migratory birds stop Game Reserve offers an exciting taste en route at Aquila’s own wetland. Two- to three-hour game drives are of real Africa just two short hours from a perfect way to see the animals (in Cape Town by road. four-wheel-drive vehicles, quad bikes or on horseback) and you can see ancient KhoiSan rock art at the same time. The Reserve – already famous for its luxury accommodation and exciting animal viewing opportunities – has joined a small, select group of game reserves to offer a special 12
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adventure area for children. In a large securely fenced area that ensures complete safety and total peace of mind to their families, children have access to a wide range of activities that provide hours and hours of unadulterated fun. Aquila’s four-star accommodation is something to write home about too. Chalets are built largely from rock, thatch and wood to blend with the environment and offer every comfort like roaring log fires, wooden viewing decks, air conditioning, crisp percale linen, mini bars, rock bathrooms and, in some, alfresco rock showers. A luxurious honeymoon suite is perched on a hill for the ultimate romantic getaway. Aquila also offers ideal facilities for conferences and business meetings and it’s a perfect place for the wedding of a lifetime too. There’s a bar, a swimming pool, a cosy cigar lounge and a large dining room where the executive chef presents a rich variety of authentic South African cuisine. Feast on
a breakfast fit for a king and for lunch and dinner a range of meat dishes including springbok and roast lamb, a variety of beautifully prepared vegetables and other side dishes and to round off your meal, an array of superb cakes and puddings created on the premises as well as local cheeses and biscuits. Superb South African wines are on offer with your meal. If you don’t have a lot of time to spare, a daily shuttle service from Cape Town International airport and all major hotels will take you to Aquila and back for a perfect day trip. Don’t miss it, whatever you do!
For reservations, call 0861 73-73-78-3 or +27 (0) 83 301 9222. There’s more information at
www.aquilasafari.com
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complete destinati management
South Africa Magazine, Suite 9 and 10, The Royal, Bank Plain, Norwich, Norfolk, UK. NR2 4SF TNT Magazine, 14-15 Child’s Place, Earl’s Court, London, UK. SW5 9RX
Enquiries Telephone: 0044 (0)1603 343267 Fax: 0044 (0)1603 283602 emailus@southafricamag.com Subscriptions Call: 00441603 283573 subscriptions@southafricamag.com
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Street Address: 179 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town Postal Address: PO Box 819, Cape Town, 8000 Telephone: +27 21 460 4700 Facsimile: +27 21 448 0003 Email:
tours@springbokatlas.com coaches@springbokatlas.com
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