Flight Centre’s Year in Travel 2025: How South Africans Travelled (and What’s Coming Next)
If you thought last year was big for travel, 2025 said, “Hold my passport!” We saw regional travel go through the roof, cruising continued its comeback, and there’s a significantly refreshed interest in touring.
And, for most of us this year, travel simply felt more mindful. Saffas booked with purpose, often prioritising value, wellbeing, and time with friends or family above everything else. In fact, nearly three-quarters of us skipped paying for something else just to fund that all-important getaway.
If there’s one thing we know about our South African clients for sure, it’s that travel isn’t just something you do… it’s who you are.
So, fasten your seatbelt for a stat-packed, story-rich trip through the travel year that was. Where did South Africans go, what made us tick, and what’s on the ‘wanderlist’ for 2026? All will be revealed.
The destinations you couldn’t resist
When it comes to wanderlust, South Africans certainly brought their A-game (and their carry-ons) in 2025. Here are the destinations that stood out most:
Top 10 international destinations
Compared to 2024, the favourites board featured plenty of familiar faces, but with some noteworthy shuffling.
- Mauritius
- United Arab Emirates
- The UK
- Singapore
- Zanzibar
- Paris
- Amsterdam
- Doha
- Phuket
- Istanbul
Top 10 domestic destinations
South Africa's most beloved local escapes saw subtle but telling shifts this year.
- Johannesburg
- Cape Town
- Durban
- Sun City
- Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
- George
- Nelspruit
- Kimberley
- Umhlanga
- Hoedspruit
Why did South Africans pack their bags?
- 67% travelled for nature.
- 66% travelled to spend time with a partner or family.
- 65% booked to banish burnout and recharge.
No wonder 83% of you say travel is essential for mental health. Saffas are chasing connection, calm, and curiosity… with a healthy side of adventure, too.
Where you laid your head
In 2025, the average hotel stay was 4 nights, reflecting a sweet spot between quick escapes and long, leisurely holidays.
International hotel hotspots
Taking over from last year’s top hotel choice – Phuket, Thailand – the Indian Ocean reigned supreme, with Mauritius’s Beachcomber trio (Victoria, Cannonier, and Mauricia) claiming the lion’s share of South African hotel bookings. No surprises here! Mauritius’s unbeatable mix of luxury, value, and that “easy visa-free” feeling saw it outshine even last year’s high demand. Solana Beach and Preskil Island Resort rounded out the top resorts, showing a hunger for sun and surf.
But Saffas aren’t just sunseekers! High-end city slickers flocked to the UAE, with Atlantis The Palm, JW Marriott Marquis, and Sofitel Jumeirah Beach all clocking in among the year’s top international stays. Compared to 2024, luxury brands in Dubai performed even stronger, as travellers opted for five-star service and instant urban wow-factor.
Local legends
On the domestic front, Sun City (always a crowd-pleaser) was the top pick (taking over from Cape Town), proving again that nostalgic getaways have serious staying power. Newer trends saw business and leisure blur at City Lodge Hotel OR Tambo, while Lagoon Beach Hotel offered a Cape Town beach fix with hotel comfort and family-friendly amenities.
Booking behaviour and what mattered most
Value for money was the clear priority in 2025, with nearly every traveller surveyed (97%) calling this a top planning factor. Trust in Travel Experts continued to grow, showing that even as online tools multiply, the human touch is more valued than ever.
The great cruise comeback (and who’s on board)
If last year hinted at a cruise revival, this year confirmed it: 69% of Saffas surveyed said they were considering a cruise holiday, a noticeable leap up from the cautious curiosity of 2024.
After all, cruises hit the sweet spot between value, adventure, and ease, all with luggage that only needs unpacking once. And it’s not just the “pensioner special” anymore… the average number of cruise passengers per booking was two, showing cruising’s spread across couples seeking romance, as well as families chasing convenience and even friends going all out for a floating getaway.
Guided tours & epic itineraries
2025 cemented small-group and guided tours as the ultimate travel hack, especially when big dreams intertwine tight schedules.
Tours take the guesswork out of complicated itineraries (think back-roads in Tuscany or hidden gems in Andalucía) and provide peace of mind, especially critical as “safety” (98% rating in our survey) remains the #1 planning factor for our clients.
And let’s not underestimate de-stressing: with 65% travelling to recharge, having everything expertly organised starts to look like the real luxury, no matter your destination.
Booking booms & breakout destinations
Compared to 2024, South Africans showed a stronger appetite for destinations that delivered novelty, value, and regional convenience. Travel beyond the “usual” gained momentum, particularly across Africa and Asia.
How we booked: Timing and trends
Saffas continued to plan thoughtfully, booking flights, accommodation, cruises, and tours well in advance. Comfort also became more important, with premium cabins seeing noticeable growth.
The who’s who of South African travellers
Solo travel surged, driven by business and bleisure travel, while couples and families continued to favour longer, more immersive trips. Multi-generation and small-group journeys, though smaller in volume, trended longer and more celebratory.
Why South Africans prioritise travel
South Africans led the globe in rating travel’s impact on wellbeing. More people planned to spend more on travel, and many skipped other expenses to make it happen. Purposeful, slow, and wellness-focused travel gained significant momentum.
How South Africans are booking
There’s never been more choice (or more noise) when it comes to planning a holiday. In 2025, South Africans showed the world that while they’ll happily research every angle, they won’t take chances on their precious travel time.
The value of the Travel Expert
If you thought digital DIY would put travel agents out of business, think again. An overwhelming 97% of South Africans surveyed saw value in using a travel agent – the highest level of endorsement out of all countries in the Global PR survey (and climbing from previous years). For Saffas, Travel Experts are trusted insiders who smooth out the bumps, secure the best deals, and go to bat if anything goes wrong.
What’s next? The 2026 wanderlist
Quieter travel, multi-generational holidays, passion-driven trips, and carefully balanced luxury are set to shape 2026. Off-peak travel, visa-friendly destinations, regional adventures, and all-inclusive escapes are expected to continue their rise.
A final word (and invitation)
2026 promises quieter, more creative trips as South Africans take the road – and the skies – less travelled, with the people and passions that matter most. If your soul’s already itching for the next plane ticket, you’re not alone.
Why not let Flight Centre’s Travel Experts help make your next big trip the best yet? From international luxury to local gems, passion projects to peaceful retreats, we know just where to send you…
