Cape Town Tourism Takes a Digital Leap with Immersive Virtual Tours

In a bid to entice potential travelers to choose Cape Town as their destination, Cape Town Tourism (CTT) has joined forces with virtual tours agency Gecko Digital Global to offer an immersive virtual tour of the city.

Leigh Dawber, Chief Marketing Officer of Cape Town Tourism, emphasizes their commitment to exploring innovative ways to inspire visitors to pick Cape Town as their destination. She notes, “With the influence of immersive digital experiences, research shows that 70% of people who view a virtual tour online link through to a direct booking opportunity. Tourism bookings can be extrapolated into tourism expenditure and job opportunities in Cape Town, which is Cape Town Tourism’s ultimate goal.”

The partnership between CTT and Gecko Digital Global is driven by shared objectives and a commitment to innovation and collaboration. It highlights how strategic alliances can leverage technology to promote CTT’s member offerings, boost bookings, and enhance the overall travel experience.

Jacques Clarijs, South African partner at Gecko Digital Global, reveals that internationally, 35% of virtual tour viewers end up making direct bookings through the client’s booking engine. Virtual tours also offer one of the shortest return on investment periods, ranging from 14 to 30 days, making them highly effective marketing tools that can be tracked through Google Analytics.

Clarijs further explains, “With a passion for immersive technologies, Gecko Digital Global’s cutting-edge virtual reality aims to transport travelers on unforgettable journeys from the comfort of their homes. By leveraging state-of-the-art VR advancements, tourists can embark on captivating virtual tours and immerse themselves in the Greatest City on Earth, from walking on its beaches and witnessing its mountains to visiting the vineyards in the Winelands.”

This virtual tour builds upon CTT’s previous digital initiatives, including an award-winning digitally immersive campaign conducted last year. Dawber adds, “We saw the impact of Find Your Freedom in the digital space, and the addition of VR enhances the traction of future campaign enhancements. Particularly in the United States, Cape Town’s third-largest source market and top spender, the virtual experience is proven to build trust that their travel experience will match or exceed their expectations, leading to a higher booking rate.”

The introduction of “Destination VR Hospitality” signifies a paradigm shift in the travel industry, offering a sustainable and immersive alternative for globetrotters seeking to explore the world from their homes. The VR experience is accessible through the Cape Town Tourism website, providing a captivating preview of the city’s offerings.