Aquila Collection takes its flagship Cape Town Safari Roadshow into China

The Aquila Collection has successfully concluded its Cape Town Safari Roadshow across the People’s Republic of China. This strategic initiative aimed to reignite interest in South Africa, particularly Cape Town, among Chinese travellers and travel trade professionals.

In 2013, South Africa saw a peak in tourist arrivals from China. However, domestic challenges and the global pandemic significantly impacted these numbers over the years. Despite a slower-than-anticipated recovery, the Aquila Collection sees a substantial opportunity to engage with Chinese trade and travel professionals to attract a new demographic of Chinese visitors to Cape Town.

The roadshow, organised in partnership with Create Consulting and supported by South African Tourism and Emirates, spanned key cities including Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. The campaign focused on promoting Cape Town safaris and the Western Cape region to mid to high-end travellers, using a blend of online platforms, digital media content, and in-person activities.

Johan van Schalkwyk, Group Marketing and Trade Manager for the Aquila Collection, expressed optimism about the potential impact of this initiative: “While the recovery in China has been gradual, we see a renewed vigour in South Africa, especially with our new Government of National Unity. We are hopeful that improvements in our visa system and enhanced ministerial support will help unlock markets like China. The enthusiasm and warmth we received from our Chinese trade partners have been encouraging, and we are eager to see the fruits of our efforts.”

The roadshow included impactful meetings with major Chinese travel companies such as C-Trip (Trip.com Group), Nice Tour, and Sage Travel, among others. The itinerary featured meetings with top Hong Kong tour operators, door-to-door visits in Shenzhen, and a dual presentation in Guangzhou, combining in-person engagement with a live stream via WeChat. These events highlighted Cape Town’s allure and emphasised the unique experiences offered by the Aquila Collection, such as the Big 5 safaris and the stunning landscapes of the Western Cape.

The roadshow also featured a meeting with the South African Consul General in Shanghai, Ms. Phuti Tsipa, to discuss strategies for enhancing tourism links between China and South Africa. The discussions underscored the importance of public relations, visa process improvements, and collaborative marketing efforts to boost tourist arrivals from China.

Michael Jones of Create Consulting remarked, “This roadshow allowed us to showcase not only the Aquila Collection’s properties but also the broader appeal of the Western Cape and South Africa. Meeting with key partners and the South African Consul General provided valuable insights into how we can elevate the nation’s tourism profile. A big thank you to the Aquila team for their dedication and efforts.”

Emirates played a pivotal role in facilitating the roadshow, providing seamless connectivity from Cape Town to China via Dubai. The airline’s extensive network and frequent flights offer vital links that are essential for tourism growth.

The Aquila Collection is committed to building strong partnerships and leveraging innovative marketing strategies to attract travellers from China. With a notebook full of new ideas and a long list of trade partners and friends, the team is optimistic about the future of tourism between the two countries.

As the Cape Town Safari Roadshow concludes, the Aquila Collection looks forward to further engaging with the Chinese market and welcoming more travellers to experience the magic of Cape Town and its world-class wildlife excursions.