- Analysis amongst over 2,000 South African travellers reveals that greater than six in 10 plan to take extra holidays in 2025.
- Bravecations and heritage holidays emerge as key journey developments for 2025.
- Savvy spenders on the rise as travellers search the very best worth for his or her journeys.
- AI utilization in vacation planning skyrockets, alongside rising sustainability concerns.
The journey market is about to develop in 2025, based on Marriott Bonvoy’s 2025 Ticket to Journey analysis (http://apo-opa.co/3AQaXQo) (www.Marriott.com). The research, performed amongst 21,374 adults in 10 markets throughout Europe, Africa, and the Center East (EMEA) and greater than 2,000 travellers in South Africa, reveals that greater than 60% of South Africans plan to take extra holidays subsequent yr in comparison with 2024, with 18% sustaining their present journey frequency.
Surveyed South Africans are planning a mean of two.7 home holidays, two short-haul holidays (four-hour flight or much less), and 1.8 long-haul holidays in 2025. This totals 6.5 holidays or journeys, equating to a couple of each two months. Amongst these planning holidays, the highest journey locations are South Africa (27%), USA (11%), Mozambique (10%), France (10%), and Mauritius (10%).
‘Bravecations’ and ‘heritage holidays’ come up as rising developments
The analysis highlights a number of rising journey developments. One notable development is ‘bravecations,’ the place travellers are extra adventurous on vacation, making an attempt actions they wouldn’t usually try at dwelling. A formidable 85% of South African travellers say they’re braver on vacation, the very best amongst all markets surveyed. This development is especially robust amongst youthful travellers, with 87% of 18–24-year-olds and 91% of 25–34-year-olds expressing a willingness to attempt new and thrilling issues. Standard actions embody climbing excessive constructions (56%), taking part in high-octane actions like zip-lining, skydiving or theme park rides (54%), and making an attempt uncommon meals (45%).
One other rising development is ‘heritage holidays,’ the place travellers discover their household’s heritage, historical past, or ancestry. Seventy-five p.c of South Africans have taken or plan to take a heritage vacation quickly. This development is extra prevalent amongst youthful generations, with 77% of 18–24-year-olds and 88% of 25–34-year-olds having taken a heritage vacation or plan to, in comparison with simply 42% of these aged 65 and above. Key motivations embody the will to grasp the place their household comes from and what their life was like (64%) and to see the place their ancestors lived (53%).
Solidifying Traits
Sustainability and the usage of AI in journey planning are set to turn out to be much more vital in 2025. Eight in ten travellers (80%) think about the environmental influence of their journey plans, greater than the EMEA common of 72%. Almost eight in ten (79%) checked the sustainability of their lodging on their final vacation, with 64% doing so earlier than reserving, far greater than the EMEA common of 30%.
Using AI in journey planning can be rising quickly. Almost half (48%) of South African travellers have used AI to assist plan or analysis a vacation, above the EMEA common of 41%. This development is led by youthful travellers, with 57% of 18–24-year-olds and 63% of 25–34-year-olds utilizing AI prior to now yr, indicating its mainstream adoption amongst youthful South Africans.
Journey Priorities for 2025
In relation to selecting lodging in 2025, the ‘sensible fundamentals’ stay key priorities with cleanliness (97%), location (96%), and customer support (96%) being an important elements.
South African travellers are household oriented, preferring to vacation with their household or companion’s household and kids (46%), above simply their companion or partner (36%), and mates (12%). Solely 5 p.c desire to journey alone. Moreover, ‘spending time with family and friends’ (63%) is the highest precedence for holidays, adopted by ‘treating themselves’ (54%). Over half (52%) say it is vital they return feeling more healthy than once they left, considerably greater than the EMEA common of 36%.
Savvy Spending
Regardless of planning extra holidays, South Africans are eager on getting the very best worth for his or her cash. The principle issue that will encourage travellers to e-book a vacation is ‘getting a particular value’ (62%). Shoulder season breaks—taking holidays in the course of the months surrounding peak season—are one other well-liked technique to make holidays extra inexpensive. Seven in ten (70%) have or have thought-about doing this, with the principle cause being to get higher worth (56%). Greater than half of South African travellers (46%) all the time think about alternate charges when planning holidays, however 14% say they ‘by no means often do however will in 2025’.
Dorcas Dlamini Mbele, Space Industrial Director, Marriott Worldwide – Sub-Saharan Africa, says: “We’re witnessing a profound shift in the direction of valuing experiences over materials possessions amongst South African travellers. Traits like bravecations and heritage holidays are on the forefront, reflecting a need for significant and enriching journeys. The mixing of AI in journey planning and a powerful give attention to sustainability additional improve this forward-thinking strategy. It’s an thrilling period for the journey trade, and we’re desperate to help South Africans as they embark on new adventures and create lasting reminiscences each regionally and globally.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Marriott Worldwide, Inc..
Be aware to Editors:
*Analysis performed by Mortar amongst 21,374 adults within the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Poland, South Africa, and Türkiye.
Click on right here (http://apo-opa.co/3AQaXQo) to obtain the report.
For extra data, please contact:
Birgit Deibele
Senior Director of Communications
Marriott Worldwide – Sub-Saharan Africa
Cellular: +27 (0)67 598 9162
E-mail: Birgit.Deibele@marriott.com
About Marriott Bonvoy®:
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott Worldwide’s award-winning journey programme and market, offers members entry to transformative, eye-opening experiences across the nook and throughout the globe. Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 31 extraordinary manufacturers provides famend hospitality in essentially the most memorable locations on the planet. Members can earn factors for stays at accommodations and resorts, together with all-inclusive resorts and premium dwelling leases, in addition to by on a regular basis purchases with co-branded bank cards. Members can redeem their factors for experiences together with future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or by companions for luxurious merchandise from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members get pleasure from a degree of personalisation and contactless expertise that enables them to journey with peace of thoughts. To enrol totally free or for extra details about Marriott Bonvoy, go to MarriottBonvoy.com. To obtain the Marriott app, go right here (http://apo-opa.co/417JjsA). Vacationers also can join with Marriott Bonvoy on Fb (http://apo-opa.co/4149kcr), Twitter (http://apo-opa.co/49aQAda), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/4149lx1) and TikTok (http://apo-opa.co/4149mkz).