Aquila Collection and Air France-KLM target Romania and Slovakia for Cape Town tourism growth

Aquila Collection and Air France-KLM have launched a private-sector marketing push in Romania and Slovakia to grow demand for Cape Town and South Africa. The effort comes as visa-free access, airline connectivity and strong outbound travel data open a window for the destination to win new long-haul visitors.

Why it matters: - Aquila Collection and Air France-KLM are trying to turn easier access into more arrivals for Cape Town and South Africa. - The campaign targets two established outbound markets where travelers already spend heavily abroad. - More visitors would support airlines, hotels, restaurants, wine estates, safari lodges, transport providers and other parts of South Africa’s visitor economy. - Tourism directly supported about 1 million South African jobs in 2024 and contributed R361.7 billion, or 4.9%, to GDP.

What happened: - Aquila Collection and Air France-KLM are investing in a destination marketing initiative focused on Romania and Slovakia. - The Cape Town Safari Roadshow has been taken into both markets after a recently signed memorandum of understanding on international destination marketing. - The campaign was run with Travel Advance and destination specialist Paddington Tucker. - The roadshow introduced travel trade partners to Cape Town’s safari, wine, beach, culture, gastronomy and mountain offerings. - The itinerary also highlighted Aquila Collection properties: Aquila Private Game Reserve & Spa, Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve and Kuganha, a wellness safari lodge.

The details: - Romanian travelers spent about 10 billion euros on international travel in 2025, a record. - Slovaks took 4.6 million private trips abroad in 2025, up 5.1% from the previous pre-pandemic high in 2019. - Slovakia’s organized travel sector served more than 1.2 million clients in 2025. - Outbound tourism made up more than 94% of organized travel turnover in Slovakia and generated about 1 billion euros in outbound travel business. - South Africa extended visa-free access to Romanian ordinary passport holders in 2025. - South Africa approved a visa exemption for Slovak ordinary passport holders on Oct. 7, 2025, allowing stays of up to 90 days without a port-of-entry visa. - Air France-KLM’s network, centered on Amsterdam and Paris, provides connectivity between Europe and South Africa. - The roadshow positions Cape Town as a multi-stop destination, not just a city break.

Between the lines: - The strategy is to enter promising markets early, build trade relationships and destination awareness, and stimulate demand before travel patterns are fully established. - Visa-free access removes one major barrier, but demand still depends on awareness, trade confidence, connectivity and bookable products. - Aquila Collection’s pitch is commercial and strategic at the same time: grow Aquila by growing Cape Town. - The first response from trade partners suggests the market-development approach has some traction. - Paddington Tucker said the moment is compelling because access is improving while travelers in Central and Eastern Europe are looking beyond familiar destinations.

What's next: - Aquila Collection and Air France-KLM plan to keep identifying emerging markets where better access, changing traveler behavior and airline connectivity create growth opportunities. - The partners intend to keep investing commercial resources in converting interest into bookings. - The companies will continue using trade outreach and destination storytelling to expand Cape Town’s profile in Romania, Slovakia and other target markets.

The bottom line: - Cape Town is being marketed in Romania and Slovakia as an early-stage growth opportunity, with private-sector money, airline connectivity and visa-free access all aligned to win new visitors.