Africa Travel WeekYusra Rasul, the founder of Adventek Adventures, decided to take on the challenge this year and add an adventure aspect to his father’s business. With passion and drive, he started his business after the hardship that COVID-19 presented and now offers adventure travel itineraries to international and local travellers. Adventek Adventures presents some of the hidden gems of the continent to its visitors, allowing them to build lasting memories and a desire to return.
Q&A with Yusra Rasul
How did the idea for your business come about?
The love and passion for travel and tourism and the desire to showcase the hidden gems of Africa.
How did you come up with the name for your company?
My dad’s company has been running for over twenty years and he built it from scratch. After working for a boss his whole life, he decided to start his own company in the same field. He often asked me to branch out, but I could never envision doing what he did so decided to branch out into the adventurous section of the business. His company is called Adventek Services and I thought I’d continue with his name, adding adventures to it. Adventek Adventures – I think it sounds so cool together.
Who is your ideal customer and why?
I would love to target the international client, encouraging them to come and see our beautiful continent, but I am also aware of many South Africans that have not experienced their own continent and I would like to show them its beauty.
Why do you offer the very best experience/product for your customers?
Because we are building memories that will last a lifetime. You can go anywhere in the world but there’s only one Africa and the products we offer to give a unique feel of Southern Africa; leaving them [visitors] with everlasting memories and a yearning to return.
What is your greatest hope for your business?
To make our clients family and not the idea that we are the agent who planned their holiday. This comes from personal touches and warm welcomes.
We would like to also bring in special needs kids to experience the country and make it a memory of a lifetime for them but can only do that with the right networking and support. I have a special place in my heart for special needs kids as we have a special needs kid of our own so we would like to see this as part of our journey and allow them the ability to go on adventures just like everyone else.
What has been the most satisfying achievement in your business?
After a rough patch during COVID-19, the best feeling was leaving my comfort zone and making the business a small success in the first few months. I’ve come a long way with only myself and my sister running the company.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who want to get into tourism?
Don’t back down! If it’s your passion, go for it!
You won’t see profit now but the more you push, the more benefits you will reap later.
If you could have a do-over, what would you do differently?
I don’t regret a single thing.
