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As part of its Sustainable Africa initiative, Classic Portfolio will host agents and tour operators on a series of familiarisation trips between September 27 and October 15, 2020.

The Sustainable Africa MegaFam trips will cover 12 countries, 23 sustainable companies, 56 authentic experiences, 63 travel partners, nine MegaFam trips, and one Mega workshop.

“Knowing that we will only conserve what we love, and we will love what we understand, Classic Portfolio wanted valued trade agents and tour operators to personally connect with on-the-ground community and conservation efforts, and support responsible companies committed to Africa’s future,” Classic Portfolio said in a statement.

The nine trips will run concurrently across the 12 countries, ending with the workshop for feedback and collaboration.

“The Sustainable Africa movement came about through the coming together of people and companies committed to conservation and communities within their areas. But this true commitment is only viable when underpinned by a commercially successful tourism operation. Therefore, the Sustainable Africa MegaFam is not just your standard educational trip; the overall purpose is to support responsible operations by driving business into sustainable camps and lodges, ensuring commercial viability of these destinations, which in turn, drives long-term conservation and community sustainability,” the statement continues. The target at the end of the educational trip is to produce US$20m in new bookings, benefiting the sustainable camps and lodges as well as the travel partners.

As part of nine itineraries planned for next year, 1008 complimentary bed-nights will be provided in high season by Classic Portfolio members and other partners, with the trips reaching a total value of US$1.3m.

The itineraries vary between 10 and 14 days. New additions to the itineraries include Principe Island, Nouabalé-Ndoki in the Republic of the Congo, Blue Safaris in the Seychelles, Mila Tented in Tanzania, the new Siruai fly camp in Kenya, Machaba Safaris’ new camp in Zimbabwe, Kwandwe’s walking safaris in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, Natural Selection properties, African Parks’ camp in the Bangweulu swamps in Zambia, and Tanda Tula’s new Rishilé Camp in the Klaserie Reserve, South Africa.

Source: tourismupdate.co.za