Provider Profile: Kisa Safaris

With most of travel booking being online today, we often lose the personal stories and touches that make travel so interesting. I want to bring some of the humanity back into the equation by sharing the stories of some small touring providers who make travelers memories every day. Below are excerpts from an interview I did with Moses Muwanguzi, the founder of Kisa Safaris and committed servant to his community.

Trey Noe

Kisa Safaris is a unique touring provider in that they offer traditional services while including a 'voluntorism" element. We interviewed Kisa's founder Moses Muwanguzi to find out how more about him and his trully unique touring company.

Q:  What is Kisa Safaris and what do you provide clients?
A: KISA SAFARIS was founded and is run by myself, Moses Muwanguzi, and is a full service Safari Planning, packaging and execution company located in Kampala Uganda.  We are a registered company with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, license number TW85/01.

We specialize in packaging tailor made safaris to all Ugandan destinations with extensions to other East African countries . Kisa Safaris provides domestic ticketing services, hotel reservations, car hire services and document processing as a member and affiliate off the following : Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO), African Travel Association (ATA), Africa Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA).

Q: How was Kisa Safaris born?
A: The whole idea started like a dream in my sitting room at my house. I was a tour guide trained by the Ministry of Tourism and by Uganda Safari Guide Association (USAGA) and I was thinking about how I could use my education and experiences to run a business while bettering my community. As a child, I was sponsored to receive a degree in business and now sought to conceive a business model specializing in humanitarian tourism that would not only benefit myself and my family, but also the underprivileged and orphaned children in my community. I wanted to give back the very same that I had been helped.

Small as it may have started from my own humble sitting room, always with an unwavering focus of voluntourism, the company has managed to secure a reasonably large clientele. This includes a big number of “repeat customers” as well as referrals by offering quality services with unstinting devotion.

Q: What experiences do your clients enjoy most, and what surprises them about Uganda?
A: The list is endless but those that stand out the most are the firm clutches of traffic jam in Kampala when moving from Entebbe to Jinja, the ubiquitous 'boda boda' motorcycles used for public transport, the picturesque semblance of mud houses in the remote villages and, lastly, the school that Kisa Safaris has helped build.

Q: What would you recommend to the traveler who had just one week to visit?
A: Each region presents uniquely distinct features but I would highly recommend seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Murchison Falls, and the Source of the Mighty Nile.

Q: What has been your favorite experience while touring with Kisa clients?
A: There was a time in Queen Elizabeth when, for some unaccountable reason, elephants had dispersed off, and could only be seen by the shores during an after-lunch boat ride. My clients were very much interested in seeing them on land in the wild, and not by the shores, something I had given up on.

After we had given up and were traveling back to our hotel, we were astonished to see a group of about fifteen elephants crossing the road in front of us. This is a very rare sight and my clients were all agog and breathless with excitement. I thought that was all, but I was wrong, for another group of elephants came up from behind us, lumbering up and about. We were literally surrounded by them from every corner, the young and the old. We had looked for them right from morning to no avail, and here they were at long last, in tremendous profusion.

Another noteworthy experience usually occurs at the Emmaus School that we support. Whenever we arrive for a visit, the children light up with a smile at the sight of our guests. It is but a humbling experience seeing someone travel so far to participate in various voluntary activities like teaching, and also contributing to bettering our livelihoods in our community. On one occasion, a group of ladies from Utah graced the women in our marginalized homesteads with Days for Girls Kits, a kind gesture for which, up to this very moment, those women are deeply grateful.

Kisa Safaris founder Moses Muwanguzi with microphone at
Emmaus school ribbon cutting ceremony.  

Q: How giving, Omuto and Emmaus School fit in Kisa's mission.

A: Initially, as I had stated about Kisa Safaris original conception, our main aim has always been to give back to the community. From the beginning, we provide funds to these efforts from Kisa Safaris' earnings. Our guests travel with a purpose, and in so doing, are given an opportunity to visit our school and the community at large that their trip sponsors. In this way we will always stick to our principle of giving while sharing the joy and appreciation of doing so with our clients.

Q: How does your relationship with TA Fams fit into your vision?
A: We very much look forward to working with TA Fams to put Kisa Safaris on the next level. Through promoting our services as well as our vision to the U.S. and Canadian agent community, we believe we will be able to bring about tremendous change in our community. We are very excited about the opportunity to demonstrate to these agents our tourism services as well as our support of our community through volunteerism and charity.

TA Fams is proud to be partnering with Kisa Safaris and their Fam Tour scheduled for this summer. For more information about Kisa Safaris and that fam trip, click the "More Information" button below.

MORE INFORMATION

Tipping in Italy

We are about to take a small group of agents to Tuscany for a escorted fam tour. After "which side do they drive on?", the most common questions for first timers has to do with money and tipping.
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For us as Americans, tipping your server after good service is basically second nature. It would be considered quite rude not to tip in many situations no matter the level of service. In Italy in many of those same situations it is considered an extra bonus so plan and act accordingly!

Why less tipping?

Businesses in Italy like restaurants, bars and pubs pay their employees a fixed salary or stipend for their hours worked that is considered a livable income. So unlike America, their income does not depend on that business’ affluence nor does it depend on its patrons generosity. Their salary will be the same no matter whether the restaurant is empty or packed, full of generous people or stingy customers so don’t worry! 

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Although there are no set rules for tipping here, which can make it more confusing, here are some quick tips for you to help you when thinking about tipping in  in Italy:

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Tipping at a breakfast bar:

In Italy it is typical for most people to pass by a breakfast bar on their way to work to get a cappuccino and a cornetto (similar to a croissant) before they start their day. So if you want to pretend to be a local for the day head to the breakfast bars! When you go to pay for your coffee and pastry, bring your receipt with your order and give over the change to the waiter (this will usually be around 10/20 euro cent or similar).

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Tipping in a restaurant:

If you’re going out for a bite to eat at lunch or dinner, tipping in a restaurant is a little different to what you may expect in other countries. You may be used to leaving quite a big tip if you’re eating in a restaurant but it is not required. After your meal if you receive a bill that is an average, not overly expensive price for dinner for 2 people, then feel free to just leave a little bit of change for your waiter. If your bill was €57 and you gave €60 and left the €3 change, this would be considered perfectly fine.

If you feel like splashing out a little bit and having a more expensive dinner or lunch while on holiday then it is more appropriate to leave a little bit of a bigger tip of €5 or €10 euros! But again there is no need to sit and calculate percentages at the dinner table as your tip is seen as more of a gesture of kindness.

Top Tip: Before you pay your bill, check to see if a service (servizio incluso) charge is included. If it is, you do not need to leave any additional tip.

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Tipping at a bar or club:

If you’ve decided to go out for the night and want to order a drink for yourself then it is not customary to leave a tip for the bartender who serves you. The same applies if you’re buying drinks for a large group of friends or family members, tipping is not necessary but leaving your chance is not uncommon.

Tipping for a taxi ride:

Tipping for a taxi ride isn’t expected. If you want to leave something then the main rule we stick to is to round the change up to the nearest euro and leave that as a tip. If you’re taking a short ride then this isn’t expected, but for a longer ride this would be appreciated.

Tipping at your hotel:

While tipping is not necessary it is always appreciated in hotels, especially if they have gone out of their way to help you. For a Porter, you can tip anywhere from €1 to €5; for housekeeping, a €1 or less tip for each day of your stay, and for room service, €.50 to €1 is a good amount.

Tipping your tour guide:

While tipping your tour guide is optional, if you think that your tour guide went out of their way to give you a great personal experience then it is nice to leave a little tip. Normally for half day tours tips range from  €10 to €20 and for full day tours they would be higher.

Voluntourism Should Be One of Your Products

What is Voluntourism and why should I care?

Sometimes referred to as "volunteer vacations" or "volunteer travel", Voluntourism continues to be a growing segment in travel today. For those looking for long-term engagements, there are plenty of NGO's operating all over the world who welcome mostly younger people into their volunteer programs. For those who can't take a "gap year" or dedicate months to non-professional activities, voluntourism can allow them the benefit of incorporating service into their vacation planning.

Unfortunately, some "volunteer travel" programs are not all that they're cracked up to be and some have ended up being downright scams. Given some of the bad press and bad actors, why get into this at all? Well, the short answer is it's worth it, for you and your clients. Your clients have a travel need where subject expertise is a high value which means this is a perfect opportunity for travel professionals.

Why Include Voluntourism in Your Offerings?

A theme I repeatedly discuss with travel professionals and clients is the desire to create once in a lifetime experiences. There is no doubt that when done right with the right partners, your clients will achieve that goal when service is part of their travel.

Also, don't forget the business perspective. Voluntourism is also one of the best forms of group travel which is more profitable as a repeatable trip for the same or new groups.

Who's Your Potential Client?

Like most group travel, your potential clients can come from everywhere. The obvious targets would be churches, schools, and civic groups but don't leave out families and businesses when discussing this as an option.

Studies show that Baby Boomers as well as the X, Y, & Millennial generations all have a strong desire to serve and understand other cultures. 

Businesses who utilize incentive travel also seek to integrate their community service goals, and voluntourism meets all of these objectives perfectly. 

How to Get Started.

Like every type of travel or destination, you need to do the appropriate research and get the experience needed to be an expert in the marketplace. For voluntourism research, you can reach directly out to the non-profits themselves or utilize sites like voluntorism.org. Like other travel, a fam is also a great tool for personal experience.

My firm, TA Fams, has just added our very first fam that includes a day with a volunteer organization. The expectation is that like traditional tourism, this will allow the travel agents to offer first-hand experiences as a guide for their clients. We hope to expand this type of fam in the future.

Our first fam with a service element is with Kisa Safaris of Uganda, whose founder Moses Muwanguzi also founded a non-profit organization that works on projects to educate impoverished children called Omuto. 

Like voluntourism travelers, Moses puts his money where his mouth is by donating 10% of all moneys made from client tours to Omuto. For those interested, he will include a visit to the school and offer opportunities for visitors to work or just interact with those who are benefiting from the funding coming from their tour.

Giving Back is Good Business

Being in a service industry means we make our livings by helping others every day. Everyone has given away discounts or travel to help someone in need. That's why it should be no surprise that others find value in being able to use their abilities and resources to help others. In no small way, you can be a part of the giving chain by empowering your clients to give as they enjoy the fruits of their labor.

5 Reasons Your Clients Want Peru

Peru?

Yes! This is great destination for many who are seeking something they will not see in their own backyard. According to Peruvian Domestic and Foreign Tour Operators Association,  over 4 million foreign tourists will visit Peru in 2017; a 5% expansion from 2016 and a goal of more than 7 million in their bicentennial year of 2021.

If your clients are looking for adventure, Peru may be the answer!

1. The History

Peru is home to one of the seven wonders and a common "bucket list" destination of Machu Picchu. The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu never disappoints. Believed to be built in the 15th century as an Inca citadel, most experts believe it was created as an estate for emperor Pachacuti. Although the true “lost city of the Incas” is more likely to be Vicabamba, after it’s abandonment in the mid 16th century Machu Picchu laid undiscovered by the Spanish Conquistadors as well as all of modernity until just a little over 100 years ago! Combined with the UNESCO sites in Cuzco this offers travelers a view into the Andes as the indigenous peoples have for millennia.

2. The People

Citizens of Peru are a diverse mix of indigenous peoples, colonial remnants of the Spanish, and immigrants from Europeans like Italians and the Spanish escaping war and overcrowding. This is why Peruvian is a civic nationality and not an indication of ethnicity. The people there are warm and welcoming to visitors opening their marketplaces, inns, historical and natural beauties to all who come. Although sometimes viewed as remote, be prepared for surprisingly upscale and advanced culinary scene. Due to it's diversity in people and raw ingredients, Lima has been regularly listed as a top destination for foodies and everyday food lovers alike. According to experts houses three of the the top 30 restaurants in the world. Same number as New York City!

3. Convenient

Getting to Peru is easier than many think with flights leaving regularly from all of the major U.S. hubs. Travel time from both the east and west coast is the same or less than going to Europe and could be half the cost!

Your clients will likely start their adventure in Peru's capital, Lima; a modern city that manages to blend it's traditional heritage with the feel of a modern city. Lima is the perfect launch and landing spot for all regardless of experience.

4. Natural Beauty

Peru is perfect for travelers looking for natural wonders. With 1500 miles of Pacific coastline, travelers can enjoy the dry tropical beaches of the north and subtropical desert climate of the central and southern stretch. Among the many sites in the Andes mountains and sitting at over 12,000 feet of elevation is Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable body of water. For hikers, 2-4 days on the Inca Trail is the best way to get to Machu Piccu.

5. Shopping

The Peruvian Sol is the accepted currency of Peru but good old U.S. Dollars work in many places as well. Currently you can get a little more than 3 Sols for $1. Most smaller villages have a market but in Lima you must go to Miraflores where dowzens of shops and even more street vendors offer one-stop shopping. Everywhere you will find elaborate pottery, textiles, jewelry, and sculptures based on the Pre-Inca cultures. Peruvian handicrafts may be best known for the vibrant geometrical designs with  Alpacas and vicuñas providing the wool used in traditional weaving. All of these can be carried or shipped home at a reasonable cost.

Summary

Are your clients looking for adventure, history, natural beauty in a convenient and cost effect destination? Peru may just be the answer.

If you have never been to Peru yourself, consider a fam trip like ours at TA Fams. It just might be the experience that helps YOU SELL the experience!

Why Fam Travel Should Be Part of Your 2018?

One Word - Experience

As a travel agent, you know that travel websites Expedia and Travelocity have empowered clients to book flights, hotels and cars without much difficulty. What this means for most travel agents is that they have to offer something those sites can't. Personal experience.

Does experience sell?

It does, and if you doubt it think about how those same potential clients look over reviews online. What are those? Experiences from people they don't even know!

How to Get Experience.

You can certainly learn a lot online. Most destinations have tourism departments who issue whitepapers, videos, and FAQs for your consumption. The problem is these presentations are generic highlighting public sites and activities while typically not suggesting specific resources and vendors. The truth also is, your clients can see those things too.

Picking a Fam.

There are literally more fam tours available than you could ever take. They all offer some value but choosing one should include more than looking at the bottom line. It's a great benefit to receive discounted trips from vendors but using Fams to travel on the cheap is like going to a hotel to load up on mini shampoos. If you're just looking for cheap travel, you can stop reading here. For those of you interested in how to turn a trip into bookings, keep reading!

Take a Fam Trip.

While research is nice, being there makes all the difference. Telling a client about a particular hotel based on a generic star rating pales in comparison to you offering a first-hand account. Say you have an opportunity to up-sell to a slightly more expensive hotel and the best you can offer is a comparison of written descriptions of the two options. Now, imagine you can say that you have been to both and the better hotel's poolside bar has a really cool bartender named James who has worked there for fifteen years and knows where all the locals go for really fresh seafood. Which is more persuasive? Better yet, which cannot possibly be provided by Expedia?

That's where a fam trip comes in. Fam is short for "familiarization" so you should plan on and expect to get familiar with the destination. This should include a fair amount of structured itinerary with visits to the most popular attractions, hotels, and areas for tourists. It should also include some free time so you can explore on your own. A spa day is great but unless you cater exclusively to clients looking for spa vacations, spend your time looking at the types of places and experiences your clients do want. 

Types of Fams.

There are no limits to the kinds of fam travel available to you but here are a few common options. 

• Regional Fams: The tourism department of some regions offer visiting travel professionals fully sponsored trips but these are typically held for travel professionals focused on booking larger groups (10 rooms or more). 
• Escorted Fam Tours: Receptive service and tour providers often offer travel agents an opportunity to participate in a common or special itinerary for a significant discount.
• Private Fam: Those same receptive and tour service providers will also offer private tours at a discount. These are typically a single day event, but can be customized and allow you to ask lots of questions as well as discuss more sensitive topics - like commissions and how to book clients in the future.
• Hotel/Resort Visits:
• Villas: A much less common but very useful tool for becoming familiar with a destination is to arrange a stay in a private villa. This provides the most flexibility but also the most planning and dedication as you are 100% responsible for where you go and what you see.

Summary

The internet is a wonderful thing. It also can be completely overwhelming when it comes to researching. There are plenty of travel outlets that consolidate offers. Companies like mine, TA Fams, organize and hold familiarization tours and villa visits. No matter where you get the information, take the time to think about what you can get from it. I suggest it can be bookings and the ever illusive moniker of "expert" among clients.

More Information

TA Fams is proud to offer travel professionals access to our Escorted Tours, Agent Villa, and Custom Italian Tours programs.