Interview Summary: Mark Murphy with Amarjit Keshav on Africa and India Travel
About Amarjit Keshav
Amarjit Keshav is a travel advisor specializing in Africa and India who brings a unique personal background to her work:
* She is of Indian origin, born in Uganda.
* At age 7, her family was expelled when dictator Idi Amin ordered all Asians to leave Uganda within 90 days.
* They relocated to England, where she was raised.
* She now lives in America.
* She will soon return to Uganda for the first time since leaving as a child, attending the Pearl of Africa conference.
Africa Travel Insights
Popular Destinations
* Cape Town is her most popular destination, which surprises many travelers with its lush, green environment.
* She highlights that Cape Town offers diverse experiences: penguins, wine tasting, beautiful mountains, and ocean views.
* The Victoria Falls area is another highlight she incorporates into her itineraries.
Safety Considerations
* Cape Town's waterfront area is considered safe for tourists to walk around.
* She advises against certain areas of Johannesburg without a guide.
* For Johannesburg visits, she recommends using tour buses or traveling in groups.
* Having visited Soweto and the Apartheid Museum initially with guides and later independently.
Wildlife Experiences
* She describes the adventurous aspects of game drives and wildlife encounters.
* Emphasizes the need to follow guide instructions around wild animals.
* Shares experiences with elephant herds in Victoria Falls walking through hotel grounds.
* Explains why game drives happen early morning and late afternoon (animals are most active during cooler times).
Trip Structure
* Her typical Africa itinerary includes 2-3 nights each in Cape Town, Victoria Falls, and a game reserve.
* She schedules six game drives over three days, which she considers sufficient.
* Her goal is making Africa trips affordable while maintaining quality experiences.
* The minimum cost for a good Africa trip is around $6,000 per person.
Group Travel Approach
Travel Agent Fam Trips
* Initially focused on marketing Africa trips to travel agents instead of consumers.
* Created affordable custom itineraries to introduce agents to luxury Africa travel.
* Promoted trips through social media and travel agent Facebook groups.
* Successfully took 21 people to Africa last year.
Preferred Vendor
* Works primarily with Ntaba.
* Personally tested their service before offering it to clients.
* Appreciates their organization and technology (app with travel documents).
* Values the luxury experience they provide while keeping costs reasonable.
India Travel Insights
* Has led groups to India, taking 17 people in January 2020.
* For first-time visitors, recommends the "Pink City" (Jaipur), Delhi, and Agra (Taj Mahal).
* Also took groups to the Golden Temple in Punjab (her family's region).
* Speaks three Indian dialects, which helps tremendously.
* Recommends experiencing Indian festivals with proper local guidance.
Business Approach
Pricing and Customization
* Uses both established operators (Gate One for more budget-conscious travelers) and local DMCs (Destination Management Companies).
* Works with "Luxury Collection of India" for high-end custom experiences.
* Can still beat structured tour prices while offering more customized experiences.
* Recommends travel agents mark up net pricing by 16-20% (versus traditional 10%).
* Values providing experiences clients "wouldn't normally get" over maximizing profit.
Client Demographics
* Post-COVID, noticed younger travelers (40-60) interested in Africa, contrary to the expected 65+ demographic.
* Finds clients prefer traveling with someone knowledgeable about the destination.
* Designs family-friendly itineraries separately from adult-focused trips.
The interview concludes with Amarjit offering to help travel agents interested in Africa or India, including potentially organizing future fam trips.
