Down Under Answers Branches Into South Africa Market with “Africa Answers” Division

South Africa Takes the World Stage Hosting Soccer’s World Cup as Travel Specialist Expands to Include African Vacations

BELLEVUE, Wash.—(June 18, 2010)— Acknowledged as one of the most respected and awarded specialists in wholesale travel to Australia, New Zealand and the islands of the South Pacific, Down Under Answers has extended its scope to include Southern Africa and the nations of Eastern Africa.

New affiliate Africa Answers will specialize in travel packages to the nations of South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and the Indian Ocean, including the island nation of Seychelles.

Thanks to the easing up of the recession and subsequent company growth, Africa Answers is hoping to take advantage of the expected $2 billion in revenue generated by the nearly 460,000 international visitors for the 2010 FIFA World Cup running June 11 through June 24 in South Africa.

“DUA has experienced fantastic growth over the last 6 months. In the upcoming summer months our revenue is already expected to surpass any month in the history of the company. Africa is a vast, vibrant and under tapped travel destination and with the World Cup coming up, now is the time to expand in into this new market,” says company president and founder Kirk Demeter from Johannesburg, where he is currently enjoying the World Cup atmosphere.

Currently staffed with 24 seasoned employees, parent company Down Under Answers is zooming back to record-year status after a tough 2009. Already the company has seen a 95% increase in passengers and a 50% growth in revenue over last year for the first six months, and project overall business for the year to be an all time high.

DUA was awarded by both Tourism New Zealand and Australia as Best Travel Wholesaler six and five years running respectively. Similarly, Africa Answers will rely heavily on relationships built with South African Tourism and travel boards.

“South African tourism welcomed our expansion into South Africa with open arms, helping to build crucial relationships and forge ahead with our program. Kerryn Cook, our VP of Product and Marketing traveled to Durban, South Africa for Indaba, the trade show that unites travel professionals and suppliers, and was able to find the right hotels, safari lodges and tours to best suit our clients,” says Demeter.

Since its inception in 1992, the Seattle based company has grown steadily from a boutique adventure operator to one of the leading travel wholesalers in North America. Down Under Answers enjoyed a record year in 2008 in sales to the South Pacific (including Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, Cook Islands, Vanuatu and more); with Australia vacation destinations representing 65% of total sales. Projected sales for 2010 are expected to reach their all-time peak year. Pre-designed package or customized getaway, more travelers than ever before are placing their vacation dreams in the experienced hands of Down Under Answers/Africa Answers travel experts.

“It’s a natural progression for our company to include an African vacation focus, because so many people want to experience its scenic beauty, wildlife and cultural offerings firsthand. We’ve fallen in love with it,” adds Demeter.

Founded in 1992, Seattle-based Down Under Answers is the industry leader in travel to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Dubai. Repeatedly voted Best Travel Wholesaler by Tourism New Zealand and Tourism Australia specialists, the company employs seasoned staff members to customize tours—ranging from unique, hands-on holidays to more traditional itineraries—for groups of virtually any size. For further information email info@duatravel.com, or call (800) 889-1464.

Follow Down Under Answers Online:

Website: www.duatravel.com

Twitter: @DownUnderAnswer

Facebook: Down Under Answers

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Media Contact: Andrea Courtney
Randall PR / (206) 624-5757