One for the Books: A Journey through Black-owned Cape Town Curated by a Women-Driven Tourism Ecosystem

About Iranti and our Black-owned Cape Town Curation

Iranti (which powers Girls Trip Tours) is an alternative tourism economy driven by women that will change the way people travel Africa. As outlined in our 2021 United Nations case study, we cater to the conscious traveler by ensuring tourism dollars support sustainable, Black-owned, or women-led businesses to further empower local economies across Africa. 

Our Black-owned Cape Town itinerary goes beyond tourism; it champions and celebrates Black businesses while offering authentic cultural experiences to travelers. With 80% of our itinerary being Black-owned in a country where over 90% of the wealth is not, we aim to create social impact through luxury travel.

This case study explores how BOOKED Trips leveraged Iranti’s growing network of Black-owned vendors to provide an authentic and impactful journey through Cape Town.

The Client: BOOKED Trips

In April 2024, BOOKED Trips hosted an immersive travel experience for 12 women in Cape Town, South Africa. The trip was designed to spotlight and support Black-owned businesses and cultural initiatives, creating a seamless and enriching experience that resonated deeply with the travelers. 

Jalisa Whitley of BOOKED Trips with the book that inspired the journey

The Vision: A Black Owned Cape Town Experience

BOOKED Trips' mission is to create meaningful travel experiences through the lens of literature and cultural immersion. The April 2024 trip was inspired by Mohale Mashigo's short story collection, "Intruders," setting the stage for travelers to explore Cape Town through the eyes of Black entrepreneurs, historians, and changemakers. This approach ensured that the trip was not just about visiting a place, but about understanding its soul and supporting its community.

The trip kicked off with an in-person discussion with author Mohale Mashigo, providing a literary framework for the journey the group was about to embark on.

Iranti Curated Experiences highlighting Black Ownership in Cape Town

Our founder, Eyitemi Popo, spent four months in Cape Town in 2023 working with local curators and vendors to design this unique itinerary. Here are the most important aspects of our curation.

Countering the Erasure of Cape Town’s Black History: 

When Eyitemi first visited Cape Town, the history she was welcomed with did not align with the reality she observed. The first time it all clicked was on a Black History Route Walking Tour led by a local historian, Yanga. 

On this trip, we ensured our guests engaged with Black historians and cultural leaders to gain insights into the rich, complex history of Cape Town and its Black communities from the heart of the city to the coast of the Cape Peninsula.

This portion of the itinerary resonated deeply with guests: “The most impactful portions of the trip were really getting to hear the stories of the people behind the businesses we visited.” says BOOKED Trips owner and operator, Jalisa Whitley.

Showcasing Black Women Chefs on the Culinary Scene:

As a solo female traveler in Cape Town, Eyitemi often found herself in restaurants where she was the only Black person not in service. This was an uncomfortable and isolating experience for her.
On this trip, our guests were welcomed with gourmet meals at SIBA, The Restaurant, Seven Colours Eatery, and GOLD Restaurant, all owned by Black women. A hands-on cooking class in Bo-Kaap also introduced travelers to Cape Malay cuisine, facilitated by local women cooks and cultural stewards of the iconic neighborhood.

Our client recalls “having a lunch personally led by chef Nolu Dube-Cele where she talked about how the food she serves connects to her family and lineage [...] The travelers really loved the GOLD Restaurant spice experience because they got to taste delicious cuisine while meeting the people behind it and have a fun and exciting evening with music and dance. Learning that their meals also wouldn’t go to waste and would go to a local shelter was also really meaningful to travelers because it was just one of many signals that their trip costs were invested in community-minded businesses. I think that’s one of the most important parts of the experiences for our travelers - having a positive impact with their tourism dollars and believing in the companies we’re supporting during the trip.”

Touring the Tainted History of Winemaking:

The Cape Winelands are breathtakingly beautiful, but the brutal history behind the many wineries in the area always made Eyitemi’s experience of the iconic wine tram and wine tastings less than whimsical. The first time her soul felt soothed was when she was welcomed with open arms at Klein Goederust, the only 100% Black-owned winery in the Cape Winelands, by the words: “This one is ours! We own it. You are home now.”

On this trip, our guests were hosted at Klein Goederust, enjoying tastings and learning about the entrepreneurial journey of the winemakers. Their travel through the Cape Winelands was not merely about picturesque landscapes and exquisite wines; it was a pilgrimage through stories of self-determination and the unwavering belief that barriers, however imposing, can be overcome. 

Celebrating Black Joy:

Eyitemi’s favorite parts of South African culture include its musical traditions, dynamic dances, and soulful vibe. There is a joy in celebrating Blackness in a place where it was once illegal, with a community that has overcome immense struggles and continues to embrace its rich cultural heritage with pride.

A traditional South African braai at Curiocity, a pillar of Black ownership in the heart of Cape Town, was a must for our guests. The braai was combined with live music and cultural storytelling, creating a vibrant social atmosphere to meet locals as you’re serenaded by the sound of pristine vocals. 

Our client recalls: “meeting with Bheki (owner of Curiocity), Gail and the Curiocity staff and learning more about what inspired the brand and the work they’re doing is what made this trip more than your ordinary experience. We weren’t just hitting the tourist spots but going deeper.”

The week ended on a high, with a private catamaran cruise along the V&A Waterfront offering a luxurious and intimate exploration of Cape Town's scenic beauty with music and some sparkling wine.

BOOKED Trips Cape Town 2023 (powered by Iranti)

Guest Testimonials

The feedback from BOOKED Trips’ travelers highlighted the profound impact of the trip. 

Jalisa, the trip leader and owner of BOOKED Trips: 

“Working with Girls Trip Tours was an easy, generative, and enjoyable experience. Girls Trip Tours by Iranti was able to take my vision and make it a reality through their excellent customer service, quick communication, and on the ground relationships. Our travelers were wowed by the level of service and really felt welcomed home by each of the vendors. We can’t wait to work with Girls Trip Tours by Iranti again for our 2025 experience.”

Emma, one of the travelers, shared her awe at the thoughtful curation of experiences:

"The concept of BOOKED Trips is a no-brainer for me. I'm a bibliophile. I was enthusiastic but could not fathom the experience Jalisa and the team at BOOKED Trips presented. Everything was carefully curated, from the artfully decorated boutique hotel, the meals, and our excursions. I would have never thought to do so many food tastings across different cultures in Cape Town itself. The FLAVOR! THE COLOR! I'll never forget it. We didn't walk about town as voyeurs, but were welcomed as guests. This was hands down my favorite trip ever."

Kasey, another traveler, emphasized the emotional and educational aspects of the journey:

"Amazing is an understatement. It was a combination of walking history lessons with gourmet lunch breaks and fantastic wine! What more could you ask for? Being greeted several times during this experience with a warm 'Welcome home, sister' made me teary-eyed and filled my heart with something I didn’t know I needed. Jalisa’s attention to detail from the wineries we visited, hotel, restaurants and even the tour guides were just simply incredible. Each business owner we encountered on our tours spoke with passion of honoring the resilience of those that endured the harshness of apartheid while building a legacy for children and the community at large. BOOKED Trips, this trip has left me changed and reflective. Just know you have a customer/traveler for life!"

Client Feedback

“The organization and curation of the trip was top notch. The response time, flexibility, and willingness to go above and beyond were highlights of the partnership. Making sure custom menus were printed and that personalized touches that allowed our travelers to do more than the typical tourist experience were much appreciated.”

Conclusion

The April 2024 BOOKED Trips Cape Town experience exemplifies the power of our women-driven tourism ecosystem in creating impactful and enriching African travel experiences. By partnering with the best Black-owned vendors, we were able to support BOOKED Trips in not only providing a seamless and authentic journey for their travelers, but also ensuring they contribute to the economic empowerment and visibility of Black entrepreneurs in Cape Town. This case study underscores the importance of intentionality in travel planning, ensuring that every aspect of the journey supports and uplifts the local communities that welcome and host us.