International Travel agents from the United States out to market the endless plains of Serengeti
Tanzania has just received a total of 120 travel agents from the United States, who were on a special familiarization trip in the country’s tourist destinations.
The U.S based International Travel Agents were in the Serengeti National Park over the weekend.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) which hosted the industry experts, revealed that the delegation was in Tanzania to get first-hand experience of the country’s top tourist destinations.
The American Travel experts assured that Tanzania had potential and that they will be promoting the country further in the United States and other overseas market sources.
The agents enjoyed several days of game drives in the country’s third largest National Park, took time to sample Serengeti from the sky using hot air balloons and had a state of cultural offerings through traditional songs and dancing sessions.
Catherine Alexander representing ‘Away with Alexander,’ (Travel Realized) said apart from a variety of wild animals, Tanzania can easily sell its astounding landscape to the world.
“Though the National Park features abundant wildlife species, I have realized that just the vast endless plains of Serengeti are enough factors to sell the destination abroad,” she explained.
On her part, Kim Sutterfield from Volander Voyages in Minnesota said everything to do with nature and wildlife is saleable in the United States, adding Serengeti therefore ticks all boxes.
Justin Garfield the Executive Director of EXG Safaris, in Los Angeles California said the vantage sky tour over Serengeti using hot air balloons was something ‘out of this world,’ recommending the experience to anybody who visits Tanzania.
Speaking during a special cocktail party organized in their honor at the Serengeti Serena Lodge, the travel experts admitted that while they expected thrilling adventures in Serengeti, the endless plains still managed to astound them.
Travel Agents said while they expected the best from Serengeti, the National Park still managed to surprise them with things that were beyond their imaginations.
“We saw everything, from Elephants, Giraffes, Lions and Buffalos, among other species,” stated Patricia Walker who was representing the Nexion Travels in the United States.
According to Patricia, for her, the trip was a childhood dream which has just been realized.
“I have always fantasized of travelling to Tanzania and visiting the legendary Serengeti, since when I was only five,” she revealed.
“Tanzania is a safe destination, an important factor to consider when selling tour packages to Americans,” added Ms Walker, a sentiment which was also shared by another expert, Eric Watson Urban.
Coincidentally, the U.S Travel agents were in the park just when the annual migration of more than 1.5 wildebeests and Zebras was in the central parts of Serengeti, therefore enjoying the scenery.
There was also an evening cocktail party coordinated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism which capped their familiarization trip for the international hosted buyers in the National Park.
Gracing the cocktail party was the Senior Assistant Conservation Commissioner Stephano Msumi, who is also the Chief Park Warden for Serengeti.
Msumi implored the international travel agents to also play the role of Tanzanian tourism envoys in the United States and beyond