Travel in South Africa

Better connections and economic improvements boost growth in travel

Positive sales growth was registered in almost all categories in South Africa’s travel industry in 2019. Inbound arrivals saw growth as the introduction of new routes made the country more accessible to consumers in important source markets, notably Middle Eastern countries and the US.

Instagram and influencers to play a more important role

With South Africans increasingly turning to online channels for information about their travel and tourism options, it is becoming vital for all players in the travel industry to have a strong online presence. At the same time, South Africans are spending increasing amounts of time engaging with social media.

South Africa Airways seeks collaborations to trade itself out of trouble

South Africa’s national flag carrier South Africa Airways (SAA) continues to struggle in 2019 as financial commitments to its debtors threatened to overwhelm its ongoing recovery programme. The airline is being partially funding by the government through subsidies and more pressure is coming on the country’s political leadership to provide SAA with a complete corporate bailout to end its woes and bring its finances back in order.

Car rental faces competition from disruptive app-based peer-to-peer platforms

Car rental activity in South Africa has been transformed by the presence of peer-to-peer car sharing service Rent My Ride, which launched in the country in 2014. The platform’s success is largely due to the convenience and value that it offers those interested in renting a private vehicle, as well as the opportunity that it presents owners of private vehicles to generate income from their cars and vans while they are not in use.

Mixed fortunes but solid growth lie ahead for travel in South Africa

With South Africa’s economy now on the mend, the immediate future looks bright for domestic tourism, with the success of promotional campaigns designed to democratise domestic tourism by making it more affordable for less affluent income groups likely to be replicated through further campaigns during the forecast period. However, outbound travel is likely to remain under pressure for as long as the exchange value of the rand continues to slide against major global currencies.

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