Domestic tourism is rising in South Africa, even exceeding pre-pandemic levels, although affordability remains a challenge for travellers.
Research by South African Tourism indicates that South Africans want to travel and explore the country, however they cite affordability as a barrier.
Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, revealed at the official launch of Tourism Month yesterday (August 1) that domestic tourism had seen a remarkable resurgence, with a 30.8% increase in domestic overnight trips during the first four months of 2023, compared with 2022. Although the average length of stay has decreased by 7.1% to 2.6 nights, domestic tourists are taking more frequent trips.
Overall, domestic travel is up 41% from last year, while domestic expenditure rose by 19.7% compared with 2022.
Day trips have also experienced a significant boost, with a 16.2% increase in the number of trips taken from January to April 2023 compared with the same period in 2022.
TBCSA Chairperson, Blacky Komani, also indicated that the country had recorded about 34 million domestic trips last year, which, in terms of spending, added up to about R99.9bn (€4.9bn).
Sho’t Left Travel Week
To combat the issue of affordability, South African Tourism will once again host the annual Sho’t Left Travel Week from September 4-10.
Described by Acting CEO of South African Tourism, Nomasonto Ndlovu, as the “Black Friday of Tourism”, Sho’t Left Travel Week will see a host of trade partners, airlines, hotel groups, and tour operators offering discounts of up to 50%.
“In response to what South Africans have told us and in ensuring that we make our country accessible, the Sho’t Left Travel Week campaign offers South Africans access to discounted deals, in a bigger way so they can explore and experience the length and breadth of South Africa’s tourism offering. It seeks to dismantle current perceptions, unlock access to the country and is further underpinned by the general call to all South Africans: It’s your country. Enjoy it!” said Ndlovu.
It is a platform with a strategically targeted, multi-channel marketing plan that will optimise market exposure for local tourism businesses and generate excitement around the best local deals in every province.
The campaign will be promoted on numerous channels such as SABC, DStv, major national and regional radio stations, national newspapers and on digital platforms.
Registration is free and open to all trade members. South African Tourism is encouraging everyone, from accommodation, airlines, car rental and transfer companies to museums, restaurants, activities, and experiential businesses, to register their deals.
Participants can register for as many deals as they like. They can also add, edit, or remove deals after registration. However, registration runs from July 1 to August 25.
“So far, nearly 500 establishments have signed up to offer Sho’t Left travel deals and we need to ramp this up. The economic environment with rising fuel, food and inflation costs current makes the Sho’t Left Travel Week critically important and offers immediate relief to overburdened domestic travellers,” added the Minister.
Interested participants can click here to register their deals for Sho’t Left Travel Week.
