Private Safaris, a DMC specialising in Southern and East Africa, caters to emerging niche markets such as Halal tourists, and the wellness and solo traveller markets. 

Kirsti Smit, Assistant Manager FIT, says the company has definitely noticed an increase in Halal tourists to Cape Town, specifically for FIT travellers travelling as families. “We try our best to accommodate all clients’ needs as far as possible and make sure that all suppliers involved in the itinerary are aware of requirements. Besides providing them with Halal-friendly accommodation, we also suggest certified Halal restaurants around Cape Town as food is a major priority when travelling.”

Smit adds that Halal tourists enjoy any activity that does not affect their religious beliefs. “For example, female travellers would not select an activity where they would need to remove their headscarf in public.”

Her colleague, Sofia Jorge-Mercury, also an Assistant Manager FIT, says that when it comes to wellness travel, the company creates customised wellness packages for its clients. “Wellness tourism is an emerging niche market that should not be confused with just a visit to a spa. It is rather a focus on promoting health and wellbeing through physical and spiritual activities. Cape Town is a hub for these type of activities and also has top class spas with signature experiences available.”

Irina Jordaan, Head of Sales, says with South Africa gaining in popularity each passing year, and Cape Town voted many times one of the most beautiful cities in the world, tourists who were previously sceptical about exploring the destination by themselves are now much more confident to set off on a solo adventure. “Thanks to the exchange rate, the surcharge for a single room does not discourage single travellers. Single reservations are, more often than not, adventure requests.”