2025 travel boom: South Africans plan more holidays, Marriott study shows

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The study, which surveyed 21,374 adults across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, along with over 2,000 South African travellers, found that over 60% of South Africans intend to take more holidays next year compared to 2024, with 18% planning to maintain their current travel frequency.

Surveyed South Africans are planning an average of 2.7 domestic holidays, two short-haul holidays (four-hour flight or less), and 1.8 long-haul holidays in 2025.

This totals 6.5 holidays or trips, equating to more than one every two months.

Among those planning holidays, the top travel destinations are:

• South Africa (27%),
• USA (11%),
• Mozambique (10%),
• France (10%), and
• Mauritius (10%).

Emerging trends: ‘Bravecations’ and ‘heritage holidays’

The research highlights several emerging travel trends. One notable trend is ‘bravecations,’ where travellers are more adventurous on holiday, trying activities they wouldn’t normally attempt at home.

Eight-five percent of South African travellers say they are braver on holiday, the highest among all markets surveyed. This trend is particularly strong among younger travellers, with 87% of 18–24-year-olds and 91% of 25–34-year-olds expressing a willingness to try new and exciting things.

Popular activities include:

• Climbing high structures (56%),
• Participating in high-octane activities like zip-lining, skydiving or theme park rides (54%), and
• Trying unusual foods (45%).

Another rising trend is ‘heritage holidays,’ where travellers explore their family’s heritage, history, or ancestry. Seventy-five percent of South Africans have taken or plan to take a heritage holiday soon.

This trend is more prevalent among younger generations, with 77% of 18–24-year-olds and 88% of 25–34-year-olds having taken a heritage holiday or plan to, compared to just 42% of those aged 65 and above.

Key motivations include the desire to understand where their family comes from and what their life was like (64%) and to see where their ancestors lived (53%).

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Solidifying trends

Sustainability and the use of AI in travel planning are set to become even more significant in 2025. Eight in ten travellers (80%) consider the environmental impact of their travel plans, higher than the EMEA average of 72%.

Nearly eight in ten (79%) checked the sustainability of their accommodation on their last holiday, with 64% doing so before booking, far higher than the EMEA average of 30%.

The use of AI in travel planning is also growing rapidly. Nearly half (48%) of South African travellers have used AI to help plan or research a holiday, above the EMEA average of 41%.

This trend is led by younger travellers, with 57% of 18–24-year-olds and 63% of 25–34-year-olds using AI in the past year, indicating its mainstream adoption among younger South Africans.

Travel priorities for 2025

When it comes to choosing accommodation in 2025, the ‘brilliant basics’ remain key priorities with

• Cleanliness (97%),
• Location (96%), and
• Customer service (96%) being the most important factor.s

South African travellers are family-orientated, preferring to holiday with their family or partner’s family and children (46%), above just their partner or spouse (36%), and friends (12%). Only five percent prefer to travel alone.

Additionally, ‘spending time with friends and family’ (63%) is the top priority for holidays, followed by ‘treating themselves’ (54%).

Over half (52%) say it is important they return feeling healthier than when they left, significantly higher than the EMEA average of 36%.

Savvy spending

Despite planning more holidays, South Africans are keen on getting the best value for their money. The main factor that would encourage travellers to book a holiday is ‘getting a special price’ (62%).

Shoulder season breaks—taking vacations during the months surrounding peak season—are another popular way to make holidays more affordable. Seven in ten (70%) have or have considered doing this, with the main reason being to get better value (56%).

More than half of South African travellers (46%) always consider exchange rates when planning holidays, but 14% say they ‘never usually do but will in 2025’.

Dorcas Dlamini Mbele, area commercial director, Marriott International sub-Saharan Africa, says: "We’re witnessing a profound shift towards valuing experiences over material possessions among South African travellers. Trends like 'bravecations' and heritage holidays are at the forefront, reflecting a desire for meaningful and enriching journeys.

"The integration of AI in travel planning and a strong focus on sustainability further enhance this forward-thinking approach. It’s an exciting era for the travel industry, and we’re eager to support South Africans as they embark on new adventures and create lasting memories both locally and globally."