Africa Destination Specialist

Certification: Travel Institute
Times been there: over 20
Last Visit: May, 2009
Why I'm a specialist: The Travel Institute is the premier training body for travel professionals in the United States. They create destination materials and have proctored exams that are nationally graded. Additionally I am President of a chapter of APTA--the Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa. I'm recognized as one of the most experienced agents selling Africa in the region.
Experiences: Helping clients learn to love Africa is my passion. I've traveled personally to: Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland--some numerous times. I've sent clients and taken groups.

China Destination Specialist

Certification: China Tourist Board
Times been there: 10
Last Visit: March 2009
Why I'm a specialist: I've been certified by the China Tourist Board as a specialist, based on their evaluation of my knowledge. Additionally, I've taken groups to China annually since 2001.
Experiences: Annually for ten years I've traveled the major tourist routes of Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Chongqing, the Yangtze River, Wuhan, Suzhou, and Shanghai. I do this trip annual every March when I escort a group. Additionally I've personally visited Chengdu, Tibet, Lijiang, and Kunming.

Kenya Master Authorized Travel Agent

Certification: Kenya Tourist Board
Times been there: 5
Last Visit: September 2007
Why I'm a specialist: The Kenya Tourist Board has two levels of certification for travel agents it recommends. I achieved the highest level--the master level--since 2002.
Experiences: I've been to Kenya repeatedly, both on my own and escorting groups. I've visited the parks of Amboseli, Masai Mara, Lake Manyara, Aberdares, Lake Nakuru, Kakamega,and Samburu, in addition to Mombasa. I understand the animal migration process and seasons, have personal contacts with a number of tour operators, and can advise and book you into the type of experience you want.

Tanzania Specialist

Certification: Tanzania Tourist Board
Times been there: 5
Last Visit: January 2009
Why I'm a specialist: The Tanzania Tourist Board has a process for certifying travel agents as experts, and I've accomplished that. I've repeatedly visited Tanzania independently as well as escorted groups.
Experiences: I have repeated personal experience with the National Parks of: Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti (southern, northern, western regions), Selous, and Saadani. I've also been in the cities of Arusha and Dar es Salaam, and traveled the island of Unguja in Zanzibar. I understand the animal migration process and seasons, have personal contacts with a number of tour operators, and can advise and book you into the type of experience you want.

South Africa FUNDI specialist

Certification: South African Tourist Board
Times been there: 6
Last Visit: January 2009
Why I'm a specialist: The South African Tourist Board has an extensive evaluation process, where agents have to develop a day-by-day itinerary that is judged by South Africa University professors, as well as demonstrate knowledge and competence about the country. I have been a FUNDI agent since 2004.
Experiences: I've driven much of the country myself, in addition to flying and taking the Blue Train. I know all the major destinations of Johannesburg, Soweto, Durban, Cape Town, the wine country, and Kruger. In addition I've been three times to the Drakensburg Mountains, have been all over Kwa-Zulu Natal, have visited Bloemfontein and Kimberly in the Free State, driven the Garden Route, and traveled many other places in the country. My daughter lives in Lesotho and I've been there numerous times, so can easily design an itinerary to include visiting that country.