18 May, 2024
The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai is a premier travel and tourism event that has been a significant platform for the Middle East’s inbound and outbound tourism professionals for over three decades. The ATM 2024 took place from 6-9th May 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
This year, the event featured 2,300 exhibitors from 165 countries. The main theme for ATM 2024 is ‘Empowering Innovation – Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship,’ focusing on how innovative sustainable travel trends will evolve.
The Travel Editor of AfricaNewsAnalysis (ANA) Niels Bartels, travelled to Dubai for the ATM tourism exposition where he met and had a chat with Ms Agnes Njiru, the Founder and Director of Safari Yetu Adventures Limited.
Safari Yetu Adventures Limited is headquartered in Kenya and operates in over 25 countries worldwide. According to Ms Njiru, her driving force has always been to provide exceptional services, ensuring the company’s clients have remarkable and unforgettable experiences.
Excerpts of the interview follows:
AfricaNewsAnalysis/Niels: Tell us something about your agency
Safari Yetu Adventures Limited is a Top Tour and Travel Company that offers an array of travel services both locally and internationally. The name Safari Yetu comes from two Swahili words meaning Our Journey. It is an inclusive term to travel, experience, enjoy, and create beautiful memories together. The company started in 2019 when there was a need to create the most unique, and authentic travel experiences for clients.
At Safari Yetu Adventures, we are driven by passion for exploration and commitment to excellence. Our team of professionals are dedicated to ensuring every journey is well-planned and perfectly executed to exceed your expectations. We specialize in crafting unforgettable experiences amidst the breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant cultures of Africa and the world. Through the years Safari Yetu Adventures has earned a reputation for excellence and reliability.
We understand that every traveller is unique. That’s why we tailor our services to align perfectly with your preferences, ensuring every moment of your journey is tailored to client’s desires. Our goal is not only to expand our customer reach but also to uphold our commitment to providing unmatched customer service.
AfricaNewsAnalysis/Niels: Who are your clients?
Our clients are anyone eager to explore the world. We offer a range of packages, from backpacking adventures to luxury experiences, each designed to provide the best in its category. We receive most of our guests from India, the USA, Spain, Germany, and the UK. Our main offering is a wildlife experience in Kenya and Tanzania, complemented by a beach experience. A standout feature of our package includes a balloon flight, a bush dinner, and an immersive Maasai culture experience, making it suitable for all age groups.
AfricaNewsAnalysis/Niels: Why did you attend the ATM? What were your expectations?
This was my first time in Dubai and attending the ATM EXPO, my primary goal was to expand our business into new territories. As the leading travel company in Kenya, I was focused on establishing solid B2B partnerships with travel agents from countries we have not yet reached, such as Saudi Arabia, Poland, Belgium, and Brazil, among others. Additionally, I aimed to meet with our existing suppliers and promote Kenya as a destination by sharing competitive packages with travel agents interested in selling Kenya as a travel destination.
AfricaNewsAnalysis/Niels: Did the event fulfil your expectations? What were your highlights?
I am fully satisfied with the ATM Expo. It was well-structured, covering the entire globe. I managed to attend all my meetings and made meaningful connections. As a hosted buyer, I extend my gratitude to the organizing team for making everything seamless, from the prior scheduling of meetings and access to the hosted buyer booth for meetings and refreshments to the excellent choice of location and accommodation. The updated ATM application made accessing meetings very easy. My highlights were attending the scheduled excursions such as La Perle, the Museum of the Future, the networking party, and the conferences. I am grateful for the opportunity.
AfricaNewsAnalysis/Niels: Are there currently any trends / what are your “best sellers”?
A list of our best packages include the following: Excellent Wildlife safaris and beach vacations coupled with Maasai culture Experience, Helicopter Scenic safaris and Hot air balloon safaris, and Private chartered flights to all National parks and airstrips in Kenya.
The others are Academic trips in Kenya and across the globe, Corporate Conferencing and team building as well as Air ticketing.