JOHANNESBURG-based Africa Deluxe Tours (Afrilux), a broker for Southern African FIT and Group tours and products, has expanded its product range further due to demand from its mostly Internet-based clients.
"Since our inception nearly three years ago, most of our direct operator and agent business has been generated through the Internet. Our interaction with these clients dictates what products we offer," says owner, Mike Smuts.
As a direct result, the company has introduced FIT products in addition to custom group tours.
Since then hotel and resort stays, car rental and city tours have been added to the mix with great success.
"The Internet consumer is uniquely independent and knows exactly what he/she wants. This demands flexibility and a high commitment to customer service. It also implies that packaged tours very rarely suffice, more often than not the customer's taste, available time and budget will require a tailor-made tour."
The effect of its Internet-based marketing approach has also seen the company's source countries increase.
Initially clients were drawn from the UK, but the company has since served customers from the USA, Switzerland, Italy, Trinidad, Argentina, New Zealand and India with more coming on board continuously.
Afrilux brokers tours and other products in South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Tanzania.
The company has recently been appointed as the official operator for an international cake decorating exhibition/conference in Pretoria in October of this year.
(Southern African Tourism Update - April 2000)
