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Incite the wanderlust within you with ‘Asia to Africa Safaris’
Established in 2002, travel agency Asia to Africa Safaris (A2A) offers personalised and high-end trips to the less-traveled destinations, such as Latin America, Antarctica, and the Arctic region. Having offices based in New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Manila, as well as representation in Bangkok, Shanghai, Melbourne, Denver, Cape Town, George, and the UK, A2A Safaris is now ready to expand their business in Thailand.
We interview A2A Safaris founders Victor Dizon and Jose Cortes to get the exclusive scoop on the company’s standout services and future sights.
What makes A2A stand out from other travel agencies?
Victor: At A2A Safaris, we are niche players. We specialise in a few areas: Africa, Latin America, Antarctica, and the Arctic. The difference with us is, since we only specialise in a few places, the knowledge and the expertise we have in these regions is very deep. If you look at each and every one of our travel consultants, they have travelled extensively to these different destinations. We live and breathe these places. We talk to our partners every day. Some of the people in our company move and live in those places, so that’s really what makes us unique.
Could you elaborate on the decision to open up an office based in Thailand?
Victor: The reason we are opening an operation in Thailand is we have had quite a number of Thai clients over the years. We have been working with them out of Singapore and Hong Kong. In fact, our first client is actually Thai.
From our travels here and talking with clients, we believe that the affluent Thai market has a lot of potential. They are well travelled and have been to many places in the world. They are discerning travellers, looking for new experiences done in seamless and safe ways, and that’s exactly what we do at A2A. We believe that by establishing an outpost and an operation here, we will be able to properly service the needs of our affluent Thai clients.
As part of the tourism industry, how does A2A Safaris practise environmental consciousness?
Jose: There are several ways. We only work with partners who have real sustainable practices. There is an organisation called African Parks, the biggest NGO in Africa protecting over 12 million hectares of lands. We make sure A2A sends guests and helps them raise some money. If you want to donate, we facilitate to make it happen.
Victor: In Addition to what Jose has mentioned, one of the biggest ways we are able to help conversation is not necessarily seen in dollars and cents. When you go on a journey—especially for the people in Asia—when you travel to these places, you will see and experience the conservation issues with your own eyes. Poaching, climate change, habitat destruction—we have seen quite a number of clients raising their awareness after their trips, and a few of our clients are motivated to actively do something about it.
Could you share some future plans to further develop A2A Safaris?
Victor: We now have four offices in Asia. We would like to expand it with the right partners. For example, we looked for so many years in Thailand. We have had clients from places like South Korea, China, and Taiwan. Those are some of the markets we are looking at, not immediately, but surely in the future.
For more information, visit a2asafaris.com.
