South Africans are travelling abroad to escape the winter. (Toast Coetzer / Media24/ Gallo Images)
- Despite economic challenges, South Africans are keen on travelling to warm destinations like Dubai and Mauritius.
- This is according to the Mastercard Economics Institute’s Travel Trends 2024 report, which also revealed a significant increase in international tourists visiting Africa.
- Travellers are prioritising meaningful experiences over material goods, with a rise in spending on nightlife and other experiences.
- For more lifestyle news, go to the News24 Life front page.
Despite South Africa’s challenging economic conditions, many locals remain enthusiastic about travelling to warmer destinations this winter. Dubai and Mauritius are among the top five popular destinations, as highlighted in the Mastercard Economics Institute’s Travel Trends 2024 report.
The report provided insights into the latest travel trends among South Africans and explored the evolving travel industry across different markets.
Over the past 12 months, the most sought-after destinations for South Africans have been Dubai, Mauritius, Istanbul, Frankfurt, and Nairobi. Additionally, Cape Town has emerged as one of the top three destinations for travellers from Saudi Arabia.
On a global scale, Japan, Ireland, and the UAE have been identified as the leading destinations over the last year, with Munich gaining popularity from June to August, largely due to the European Championship, followed by Tokyo.
International Travellers Flock to Africa
The first quarter of 2024 saw record-breaking numbers of international tourists visiting Africa, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. South Africa alone welcomed an impressive 2.4 million visitors, marking a 15.4% increase from the previous year. Mauritius and Tanzania also saw significant rises in tourist numbers.
Extended Trips to South Africa
Visitors to South Africa are extending their stays by nearly two extra days compared to before the pandemic. This trend is attributed to the region’s warm climate and cost-effective travel options. The Mastercard Economics Institute revealed that more affordable destinations tend to encourage more extended visits.
Natalia Lechmanova, Chief Economist EEMEA at the Mastercard Economics Institute, noted the robust recovery of Africa’s travel sector.
“The travel sector in Africa is recovering well, complemented by an appetite to discover destinations that offer nature, culture, and authentic experiences.
“It’s great to see travellers extend their stays, and also use more digital payments, both of which are very positive for the tourism industry at large, as well as local governments building diversified economies,” she said.
Meaningful experiences over material goods
According to SpendingPulse Destinations, spending on travel now surpasses the desire for material goods. Tourism-related spending on nightlife and other experiences accounts for 12% of total tourism sales, the highest in five years. Australians, in particular, spend a significant portion of their budget on experiences, a trend that is also growing among tourists from China.
Luxury vs Casual Shopping
The tourism industry benefits sectors such as dining and apparel, with a notable preference for luxury goods over casual items. Luxury spending has increased in destinations like France, Italy, and the UK, reflecting a strong demand for high-end products.
READ MORE | Luxury in the skies: What flying with 2024’s world-best airlines will cost South African travellers
