Here are the non-negotiables for 2026 holiday travel:

1. Buy comprehensive travel insurance. Then actually read the Ts&Cs. “Honestly, it’s the best booking decision you’ll make,” says Zay Ferguson-Nair, Customer Experience Leader at Flight Centre South Africa. “Unspecified event cover is often included if you purchase cover within 24-72 hours of your trip being booked. Talk to your travel advisor about the right cover for your trip at the point of booking, and don’t leave it for later. It shouldn’t be an afterthought.”
2. Lock in your fare now, even if you’re travelling next year. “Our advice at the moment is simple: Book early, pay now, stay flexible,” says Ferguson-Nair. “You can book today’s prices for travel up to 12 months out, which means you can snap up the deals Middle Eastern carriers are offering right now and worry about packing later.”
3. Ask about an airline’s date-change policy. Change fees and flexibility can shift, and in some cases paying a once-off change fee works out cheaper than booking a fully flexible fare from the start. Always ask – and compare – before you book.
4. Always compare the total ticket cost, not the headline price. Fuel surcharges, flexibility and ancillaries can quietly pile up, so always compare apples with apples, says Ferguson-Nair. “In the current climate, we recommend paying a little more for flexibility. It can save you money in the long run.”
5. Quote and ticket on the same day. Fares are moving really quickly right now, and a quote held overnight can vanish by breakfast, so if you’re happy with the price, secure it.
6. Check your passport before you do anything else. Most destinations require at least six months’ validity (from your return date) and two blank pages, so check your passport first, then book. Ditto for visa requirements.
7. Travel “carry-on only” wherever possible. With some airlines raising checked baggage fees to offset rising fuel costs, a cabin-ready wheelie bag at your side saves money, time at the carousel, and a great deal of stress if your flight is suddenly delayed or rerouted. And if you do find yourself sprinting to a service desk to sort out a grounded flight, at least your bag is coming with you.
8. Pack light. Really light. Sudoku, packing cubes, or military rolls – pick your weapon. We all know we’ll be wearing the same two outfits on rotation, so why are we pretending otherwise?
9. Wear your bulkiest items onto the plane. Boots, puffers, and your heaviest jersey all count as free luggage when they’re on your body, and the cabin gets cold enough that you’ll thank yourself later.
10. Remember an in-flight essentials kit. A spare pair of undies, a toothbrush, contact lens solution, phone charger, a change of top, and any prescription medication should always travel on your person, not in the hold.
11. Bring an empty, refillable water bottle. Fill it past security at any refill station and you’ll skip the airport mark-up entirely, plus you’ll stay properly hydrated on the flight.
12. Download the airline app before you leave home. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, the app will keep you up to speed and in the know.
13. Better still: save your Travel Expert’s 24-hour support number to your phone. If things go awry, you want a friendly, efficient human on the other end of the line. Same goes for your travel insurance and your hotel.
14. Know the new power bank rules before you fly. Since 27 March 2026, ICAO rules limit passengers to two power banks in the cabin and ban charging them during the flight, with some carriers (Emirates among them) capping it at one. Never put a power bank in checked luggage or the overhead bin. These devices belong under the seat in front of you, where cabin crew can reach them fast if needed.
15. Ignore “airport theory” no matter how convincing the TikTok. The trend that challenges travellers to get from the airport entrance to the departure gate in 15 minutes or less is a great way to miss your flight, especially with current security wait times.

A bit of homework at the booking stage, a sense of humour at the airport, and a wheelie bag you can actually lift, and festive season travel is yours for the taking!

– Early Bookers Can Take Advantage of the Best Choice of Destination-Rich Itineraries, Accommodations and Value Across NCL’s New Summer Season – 

–  Guests Will Enjoy More Time Ashore with Port Calls Making Up Almost 80% of Voyage Days, 175 Overnight Stays and Late Departures Across 53 Destinations –

Norwegian Cruise Line^® (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 59-year history of breaking boundaries, today opened bookings for its Summer 2028 itinerary season, featuring over 450 voyages across 20 ships, giving travellers early access to popular destinations with the cruise line’s global deployment.

From Alaska’s glaciers and the Caribbean’s turquoise waters to the Mediterranean and South Pacific, NCL’s Summer 2028 season features three- to 14-day voyages departing from 25 homeports, including Miami, Seattle, Rome (Civitavecchia) and London (Southampton), with calls to nearly 150 destinations across 51 countries. With itineraries designed for deeper exploration, ships will spend approximately 80% of each sailing in port, with an average call exceeding 10 hours. The season also features 175 overnight stays and late departures in 53 destinations, including Santorini, Greece; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy and Juneau, Alaska, providing more opportunities to experience the world’s most sought-after destinations beyond the typical cruise schedule.

“It’s never too early to start planning your next vacation,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “With the Summer 2028 voyages now on sale, guests can take advantage of a greater selection of destination-rich itineraries with 80% of voyages spent in port, more choice of preferred staterooms and exceptional value. From Northern Europe and Alaska to the Bahamas and South Pacific, this season brings together some of our most exciting voyages yet, with more opportunities for guests to immerse themselves in the destinations they visit.”

To showcase the new season of sailings, NCL highlights 10 can’t-miss reasons to plan a Summer 2028 cruise now.

1. Sail Aboard Norwegian Jewel^® as She Debuts in Morocco

Norwegian Jewel will embark on one of her most diverse European seasons to date. During a 12-day Canary Islands roundtrip voyage from Barcelona, Spain, she will debut in Morocco with calls to Casablanca and Agadir, while also calling to Arrecife (Lanzarote) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, for the very first time. Expanding NCL’s offering in the Atlantic, the ship will also operate two dedicated voyages showcasing destinations along the coasts of Spain, France and Portugal – an 11-day repositioning sailing between Barcelona, Spain, and London (Southampton) in May 2028 and a new nine-day roundtrip voyage from London (Southampton) in September 2028. Together, these voyages highlight some of Atlantic Europe’s most scenic coastlines and cultural regions. In the Baltics, Norwegian Jewelwill offer seven-, nine- and 10-day voyages between London (Southampton), England, Copenhagen, Denmark and Helsinki, as well as five roundtrip sailings from Copenhagen, with visits to celebrated capitals including Tallinn, Estonia; Riga, Latvia and Klaipeda, Lithuania.

2. Chase the Midnight Sun Aboard Norwegian Getaway^®

Norwegian Getaway will sail 10- and 11-day Northern Europe itineraries between London (Southampton) and Reykjavik, Iceland, giving guests the chance to start and end their cruise in two distinct destinations. The itineraries will take place during the height of the midnight sun season, when extended daylight means more time to explore ashore. The ship will visit destinations across Norway, Iceland, Belgium, the Netherlands and France, while also making inaugural calls to Grundarfjörður, Iceland and Vik, Norway, the latter marking NCL’s first-ever visit to the destination. Later in the season, Norwegian Getaway will sail three Baltic Sea voyages of nine and 11 days where the ship will have its first turnaround in Helsinki, as well as a maiden call to Klaipeda, Lithuania.

3. Discover Mediterranean Treasures in Croatia and Sardinia

For the first time, Norwegian Dawn^® will call to Zadar, Croatia and Cagliari, Sardinia, giving guests two additional reasons to explore the Mediterranean with this ship. Throughout the season, Norwegian Dawn will sail a series of 10- to 11-day voyages with distinct embarkation and disembarkation ports including Lisbon, Portugal; Barcelona, Spain; Rome (Civitavecchia) and Venice (Ravenna), Italy. With almost no days at sea, guests can experience destinations ranging from Marseille, France to Salerno, Italy; Koper, Slovenia and Kotor, Montenegro in a single vacation.

4. Experience Europe with Fewer Sea Days and More Time Ashore

From the Mediterranean and Greek Isles and the British Isles, NCL gives guests more ways to explore the region with limited sea days and more time ashore. Norwegian Viva^® will continue offering nine-, 10- and 12-day voyages between Rome (Civitavecchia) and Venice (Ravenna), Italy; Barcelona, Spain and Istanbul, Turkey. Itinerary highlights include overnight stays in Istanbul and late departures in Santorini and Mykonos, Greece, as well as Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy. Norwegian Pearl^® returns with destination-rich seven-day Greek Isles voyages between Venice (Ravenna), Italy and Athens (Piraeus), Greece, allowing guests to experience some of the region’s most iconic destinations almost every day. For voyages to the Greek Isles, Norwegian Epic^® will sail roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia) with nine- to 12-day itineraries. Norwegian Star^® will once again sail across the British Isles and Northern Europe, with calls to Belfast, Northern Ireland; Newhaven (Edinburgh) and Invergordon, Scotland, the gateway to the Scottish Highlands.

5. Discover Alaska with Prime Weekend Departures

NCL’s award-winning Alaska program will take place between April and October 2028 with four ships offering guests multiple ways to experience the destination’s glaciers, wildlife and rugged natural beauty. Norwegian Encore^®, Norwegian Bliss^® and Norwegian Joy^® will sail seven-day roundtrip voyages departing from Seattle’s Pier 66 departing from Seattle’s Pier 66 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, giving guests prime embarkation days for planning a summer escape. Glacier sightings will be featured on every sailing, including Norwegian Joy’s longer nine- to 11-day itineraries. Norwegian Jade^® will return with seven-day voyages embarking and disembarking in Vancouver, British Columbia and Whittier, Alaska embarking and disembarking in Vancouver, British Columbia and Whittier, Alaska, featuring scenic cruising through either Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. Guests can further extend their adventure through NCL Cruisetours, which include iconic inland experiences such as Denali National Park and the historic Alaska Railroad.

6. Check Fiji, Australia, French Polynesia and Hawaii Off the Bucket List and Head to the South Pacific

Norwegian Spirit^® will continue to offer immersive voyages across the Pacific, homeporting in Sydney; Lautoka, Fiji; Papeete, French Polynesia and Honolulu from April through October 2028. The ship’s 11- to 13-day itineraries connect some of the region’s most captivating destinations with distinct embarkation and disembarkation ports, including New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Hawaii. With calls to the islands of Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Apia and Hawaii, guests can experience a mix of vibrant cultures, volcanic landscapes, turquoise lagoons and relaxing days at sea.

7. Make a Splash at Great Stirrup Cay – A Destination for Every Generation

In Summer 2028, more guests than ever will have the opportunity to experience Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island destination in the Bahamas. At the heart of the island experience is Great Tides Waterpark, featuring 19 waterslides, including the industry-first duelling Master Blaster slides, tube slides and splash-filled attractions designed for every age group. Families can spend the day exploring interactive water play areas and dedicated children’s experiences, while thrill seekers can chase adrenaline-fueled adventures and adults can relax at the exclusive Vibe Shore Club. Whether traveling with family, friends or as a couple, guests can enjoy their own version of the perfect island day without compromising on the experiences they truly want to enjoy. Norwegian Aqua^® will spend her first full summer season offering three- and four-night roundtrip Bahamas cruises from Miami, perfectly complementing the Great Stirrup Cay experience with something for every type of traveler ashore and onboard with the Aqua Slidecoaster to world-class entertainment and rejuvenating treatments at the award-winning Mandara Spa^®. Together, the ship and destination create a seamless getaway where every guest can choose their own blend of excitement, relaxation, and family fun.

8. Explore the Caribbean aboard NCL’s Newest and Most Innovative Ships

From the Eastern to the Western Caribbean, NCL’s newest fleet offers travellers a wide array of itineraries to discover the region’s most sought-after destinations. Norwegian Aura, one of NCL’s newest ships, will offer seven-day roundtrip Eastern Caribbean voyages from Miami to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands as well as Great Stirrup Cay. Designed with multi-generational vacations in mind, the ship will feature Ocean Heights, NCL’s first-ever open-air activities complex. Dedicated spaces for children and teens will include Adventure Alley, Little Explorer’s Cove and the Teen Hangout, making her an ideal choice for families looking to make the most of the summer travel season. In the Western Caribbean, Norwegian Prima^® will return to Galveston, Texas, sailing seven-day Western Caribbean roundtrip itineraries that include calls to Harvest Caye, Belize, NCL’s resort-style destination known for its pristine beaches, nature adventures and easy access to the region’s tropical beauty. For travellers seeking a longer Caribbean escape, Norwegian Luna will sail a special 10-day repositioning voyage from Miami to New York City in May 2028, featuring inaugural visits to Aruba, Curaçao and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Additionally, Norwegian Escape^® will offer alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean roundtrip voyages with calls to Great Stirrup Cay from Orlando (Port Canaveral), Fla., giving guests the opportunity to combine sailings back-to-back and explore more of the Caribbean in a single vacation.

9. Set Sail to Bermuda from New York, Boston and Philadelphia – Including Norwegian Gem^®‘s Philadelphia Debut

NCL will sail for a fifth consecutive season from the City of Brotherly Love with the regional debut of Norwegian Gem in April 2028. She will offer a season of seven-day Bermuda sailings featuring overnight calls at Royal Naval Dockyard, giving guests more time to enjoy the island’s pink-sand beaches, waterfront dining and laid-back island culture, as well as visits to Norfolk, Va. Joining Norwegian Gem in Bermuda, Norwegian Luna will sail five- and seven-day voyages from New York City, and Norwegian Breakaway^® will once again offer week-long sailings from Boston with additional calls to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where guests can explore maritime heritage, sample fresh seafood and take in Atlantic Canada’s picturesque coastal scenery.

10. Book Early for the Best Choice and Value

The best vacations rarely stay secret for too long. From first-time calls in Northern Europe and new Mediterranean discoveries to family-friendly escapes in the Bahamas and bucket-list adventures across Alaska and the South Pacific, Summer 2028 is packed with experiences guests will not want to miss. Travelers looking to secure their upcoming summer vacation at best value can take advantage of NCL’s ongoing sale now through Aug. 27, 2028, offering 50% off al cruises and the guest-favourite Free at Sea packages, which includes unlimited premium beverages, speciality dining meals, excursion credits and Wi-Fi.

For more information about the Company’s award-winning 21-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call +27 087 550 3914 or visit www.ncl.com.

At the heart of the restructure is the consolidation of sales and marketing under unified regional leadership. For travel agents across the MEA region, it means a single, aligned team working in step to help them sell NCL more effectively and grow their cruise business with confidence.

Leading that charge in MEA is Gary Anslow, appointed as the region’s new VP. Anslow brings considerable experience to the role, which will serve alongside his position of VP and Head of UK and Ireland, one of NCL’s most established and high-performing markets. He takes over from Kevin Bubolz, who spearheaded NCL’s growth across MEA. Bubolz will now assume full oversight of NCL’s Continental European business. Both report into Jason Krimmel, NCL’s Chief International Sales and Marketing Officer.

Commenting on the transition, Bubolz said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time leading our strategy in MEA. The engagement and support we have had from our partners in the region has been exceptional. I know Gary and the team will continue to build on very solid foundations.”

Anslow added: “MEA is a region with tremendous energy and real appetite for cruise travel, and I am committed to making sure our trade partners have everything they need to capitalise on that. I am looking forward to deepening our relationships across the region and to ensuring that agents feel the full benefit of a more integrated sales and marketing approach.”

The announcement comes at a particularly compelling moment for travel trade partners to be selling NCL. Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line’s iconic private island in The Bahamas, is set to launch the new Great Tides Waterpark on 4 September – a significant enhancement, with 19 waterslides, unique cliff jumps, and a Tidal Tower standing over 50m tall, that adds fresh appeal for families and gives agents a powerful new conversation-starter with clients.

An impressive portfolio of 2027 Europe itineraries, including expanded Mediterranean and Northern Europe sailings, offers strong options for the well-travelled South African market, while a pipeline of innovative new ships continues to grow one of the industry’s most modern fleets.

“The investment is real, the support is growing, and the opportunities for agents who lean into cruise have never been greater,” Anslow concluded.

Once upon a time, booking a holiday meant heading to your local travel agency, a manila folder of handwritten tickets to carry home and a visit to the bank to order your travellers cheques. Today, travellers can book an entire holiday from the palm of their hand.

As ASATA celebrates its 70th anniversary, they’re opening their archives and inviting us to revisit the milestones that modernised the industry – and changed how South Africans travel. 

1. 1956: Travel agencies become part of the journey

In 1956, ASATA was established as the first formal body to represent South African travel agents and elected Jim Finlay as its first chairman. At the time, travel agencies were essential to planning a trip, handling everything from tickets and passports to visas and even foreign currency. There was no such thing as booking it all yourself.

2. 1959–1971: The world gets easier to reach

The arrival of the first American Express plastic charge card in 1959 transformed international travel. Instead of carrying cash or travellers cheques, travellers could pay for flights, accommodation and everyday expenses with a single card. The arrival of the Boeing 747 in 1970 made long-haul travel more accessible than ever before, and in 1971, SAA rounded things off with SAAFARI, its very own automated reservations system – basically the ancestor of every booking app on your smartphone today.

3. 1972: A genuine world-first

In 1972, just one year after Japan pioneered IATA’s Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP), South Africa became the second country in the world to adopt it. The same year, ASATA elected its first president, John Bing, and successfully negotiated an increase in domestic airline commission from 5% to 7%.

*BSP is the standardised system that keeps ticket sales, reporting and payments between agents and airlines from descending into chaos.

4. 1978–1985: Regulation, insurance and the ticketing shake-up

Between the late 1970s and early 1980s, ASATA really rolled up its sleeves. The association helped draft the bill that became the Travel Agent and Travel Agencies Act (1983) and teamed up with SAA to introduce automatic ticket printing. It also negotiated an exclusive traveller insurance (Travelsure) and secured a 15-day BSP settlement period, modernising how travel agencies operated behind the scenes.

5. 1992–1994: Ethics and deregulation

During this timeframe, ASATA introduced its first Code of Conduct, reinforcing ethical standards across the industry. Just two years later, the Tourism Bill repealed the Travel Agent and Travel Agencies Act, ushering in a new era of competition and deregulation.

6. 1993–1998: A changing landscape

The repeal of marital power meant married women could finally open bank accounts, obtain credit cards, sign contracts and pay for travel independently without their husband’s consent. In 1998, ASATA elected its first Black president, Kananelo Makhetha, reflecting the transformation of both the association and South Africa itself.

7. 2001: Flying would never feel the same again

Before 9/11, passengers could arrive at the airport shortly before departure and loved ones could accompany them to the boarding gate. Then everything changed. Security tightened everywhere, and “arrive three hours early” became gospel.

8. The 2000s: Reinvention begins

During this time, smartphones, social media and online booking platforms completely transformed how people researched, booked and shared their travels. In 2005, ASATA elected its first woman president, Amanda Harrod, and as airline commissions shrank, professional service fees models filled the gap.

In 2010, the FIFA World Cup showcased South Africa to billions of people across the globe as a world-class tourism destination, proving that this country knows how to host a good party.

Throughout the 2010s, ASATA engaged government on unabridged birth certificates for minors, worked with National Treasury on cost containment measures, secured legal guardrails for pricing transparency, and helped determine the VAT treatment of international tickets through a favourable Constitutional Court outcome in 2020.

9. 2020: When travel stopped

COVID-19 became the greatest crisis the travel industry had ever faced. Borders closed, airlines grounded fleets and refunds became a lifeline for travellers. ASATA worked tirelessly to support members through SAA’s business rescue (2019-2022) and advocate for border reopening.

10. 2023 and beyond: Buckle up for the next chapter

Today, AI, digital borders and new traveller expectations are reshaping travel once again. Yet one thing has remained remarkably consistent: When flights are cancelled, visas become complicated or plans fall apart, people still turn to trusted travel professionals for guidance.

“That belief has guided ASATA since 1956,” says ASATA CEO, Otto de Vries. “Seventy years later, it remains at the heart of South African travel. In all that time, credible expertise never went out of fashion, and I suspect it never will.”

Behind that confidence is a sustained programme of industrial development, backed by public infrastructure investment, special economic zone incentives and private capital. The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone has R252 billion in pipeline investment across 23 investors, according to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. Among the flagship developments is Nyanza Light Metals’ R15 billion titanium dioxide pigment plant. Construction is already under way and is expected to create around 3,000 jobs before employing up to 850 people permanently. Richards Bay is also positioning itself as an energy hub, with a liquefied natural gas import terminal, new power stations and supporting infrastructure representing almost R100 billion in additional investment.

Projects on this scale bring a steady stream of engineers, contractors, consultants, financiers and government officials into the city, some for a few days, others returning repeatedly as work progresses. According to André de Klerk, General Manager of BON Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay, this is translating into increasingly consistent business travel demand.

“We don’t have a high and low season like a typical leisure destination,” he says. “Our business follows industrial activity. Occupancy rises when a plant shuts down for maintenance, a delegation is in town, or a major project reaches a milestone. When that activity slows, so do we. Right now, we’re in one of our busier periods and we have been for some time.”

That level of demand has taken years to rebuild. Richards Bay’s hospitality sector was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and just as recovery began, the July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal dealt another blow. De Klerk says the hotel had to rebuild its room rates from a much lower base, with several years spent simply recovering lost ground before new investment started driving demand rather than just restoring it.

“There have already been weeks where you couldn’t find a room in this town because two or three projects needed people here at the same time,” he says. “That didn’t used to happen.”

De Klerk emphasised the hotel’s booking window reflects the same industrial rhythm. During busy periods, guests typically book around a week in advance. At quieter times, bookings are made just four days before arrival, tied to project schedules or maintenance shutdowns.

The mix of guests checking in is changing alongside the volume. “The executive flying up from Johannesburg for a two-day meeting is only part of the picture now,” De Klerk says. “We’re welcoming metallurgical engineers overseeing technology transfer, project finance teams from Johannesburg and Nairobi, government delegations, environmental consultants, construction managers and representatives from development finance institutions. Some are here for a few days. Others stay for the duration of a project, with contracts that can run for several months.”

The hotel’s guests arrive from Europe, Africa, Asia and North America, largely to support engineering, mining, logistics and infrastructure projects, while domestic business travellers provide a reliable year-round base. De Klerk says repeat business is the clearest sign of that consistency, with companies returning on standing accounts for maintenance work, site visits and ongoing projects.

BON Hotels Group CEO Guy Stehlik says Richards Bay stands out against the other secondary cities where the company operates, across South Africa and West Africa. “Corporate demand is rarely the issue in these secondary cities. The infrastructure around it usually is,” he says. “Failing infrastructure is the constraint we run into most often outside the metros. Richards Bay is the exception. Given the scale of investment going into the IDZ, it’s no surprise it works as well as it does. If anything, it’s the market the rest of these cities could  be measured against.”

BON Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay has refurbished its guest rooms, public areas, restaurant and conferencing facilities to keep pace with demand. Its largest venue seats around 120 delegates, with most bookings coming from technical workshops, project briefings and training sessions.

Much of the investment pipeline has yet to move from planning into delivery. Stehlik believes the opportunities will extend well beyond the industrial sector. “Richards Bay has always had the industrial base. What’s changing is the consistency of business travel around it. As more investment moves from planning into delivery, we’ll see more people travelling to the city, staying longer and returning more often. That creates the kind of demand that gives airlines, hotels and the wider visitor economy the confidence to invest.”

Rob Hetem remembers the moment he understood why. At a trade show in 2006, he watched representatives of a tourism business sitting inside their exhibition stand, eating lunch, while international buyers streamed past. “No one had explained how a trade show works,” recalls Hetem, who has spent more than two decades working in tourism development and transformation. “No one had shown them how to price for intermediaries, how to approach buyers or what buyers look for when assessing risk.”

When exhibitors went home without contracts, the usual conclusion was that the businesses weren’t ready for international markets. Hetem saw it differently. The businesses hadn’t failed. The model had put them in the room without equipping them to compete once they got there.

Those early lessons shaped a different approach. SATSA CEO David Frost, COO Hannelie du Toit and Rob Hetem brought their combined development, industry and sales experience together to build a model that prepares businesses properly before pushing them towards market access.

As Hetem explains, the journey starts with the less glamorous foundations: compliance, costing, pricing, packaging and distribution, with coaching and mentoring woven through each stage. Buyers only enter the picture once a business has the commercial tools and confidence to turn an introduction into something lasting.

Building businesses that can build others

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) Tour Operator Development Programme shows how the approach has evolved. Delivered by SATSA with Hetem leading it, the Tour Operator Project supported more than 70 small tourism businesses over four years. The fifth year added an important next step.

Working with the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZN TAFA), the programme created a pathway for its strongest participants to move from business development into focused market access. KZN TAFA selected ten businesses with the potential to become commercial anchors in their regions, chosen not just for their own growth prospects but for the opportunities they could open up for others.

A capable local tour operator doesn’t need to sell a single accommodation establishment or experience. It can combine a lodge stay in St Lucia with a hiking experience in Underberg, a village homestay, a local transport provider and a small safari business.

To an international buyer, that’s one itinerary, one relationship and one contract instead of five. The lead operator handles pricing, compliance and quality standards, which lowers the buyer’s risk and gives smaller businesses access to markets they’d struggle to reach alone. One strong business becomes the commercial doorway for an entire network of local suppliers.

A model designed to multiply

“Our goal was to build ten reliable commercial anchors that could pull the rest of the ecosystem with them,” Hetem explains. He calls it “village alignment”: government provides the enabling investment, an NPO like SATSA coordinates the programme, experienced tourism businesses share what they know, and developing businesses grow into increasingly commercial roles.

Each participant contributes something different. The value is in how the pieces fit together. Rather than supporting businesses in isolation, the model builds a pipeline that keeps knowledge, opportunity and market access moving long after a specific programme ends.

That thinking is now reaching beyond South Africa’s borders. Ubuntu Travel Connexions, a Southern African tour operator turned marketer now based in Europe, has partnered with SATSA to launch the Ubuntu Incubator Programme. For 12 months, Charmaine Wardenberg’s Ubuntu will represent three trade-ready SMEs from the KwaZulu-Natal programme in the German market, at no cost to the businesses.

For the South African operators, it’s representation in a market they couldn’t easily enter alone. For Ubuntu, it’s a pipeline of tourism businesses that have already done the work to become compliant, reliable and ready to sell.

“It isn’t a new concept,” says Hetem. “We draw from the ideals of Ubuntu.” What’s different is applying that philosophy deliberately to commercial development, where success is measured not only by whether a business grows, but by how many others it brings into the tourism economy with it.

The same jointly developed approach shaped SATSA’s Desk to Desert initiative in the Northern Cape. The virtual familiarisation programme takes operators through compliance, pricing, distribution and marketing before they meet buyers, so they understand not just what a destination offers, but how to package and sell it.

From mentees to mentors

The clearest sign a development model is working may be what happens after the formal programme ends. Many participants go on to mentor other entrepreneurs, passing on the knowledge, connections and experience they once received themselves.

Thabo Modise started out selling T-shirts on Vilakazi Street before building Toura Travel Therapy. Today, known as “Thabo the Tourist,” he speaks at industry conferences, introduces visitors to Soweto’s art scene and creates opportunities for emerging artists.

Semadi Manganye and Paul Maluleke turned community guiding into GATHA, the Greater Alexandra Tourism and Heritage Association, which connects local tourism businesses while its greening projects supply fresh produce to restaurants in Sandton.

Thabo and GATHA aren’t just good news stories. Development that stops at keeping one entrepreneur afloat is only doing half the job.

The same principle runs through SATSA’s wider development work. In one initiative, 56 senior tourism professionals volunteered more than 1,000 years of combined industry experience to mentor 44 small tourism businesses over a year. Their focus was the practical commercial decisions that determine whether a business survives: pricing correctly, protecting margins, managing risk, and knowing when to walk away from an opportunity that isn’t worth it.

“These are results we’re proud of because they show that we now have development models that work,” says Du Toit. But she says success cannot be measured by business support alone. By the end of 2025, overseas arrivals had recovered to just 92% of pre-pandemic levels, according to Statistics South Africa. In her view, even the strongest enterprise development programme can only take businesses so far if the market itself is not expanding. “Readiness is only one side of the equation. We need to work just as deliberately on demand if the businesses we have developed are going to grow and remain sustainable.”

Ends

Issued by: Big Ambitions
Contact: Brenda Walters

Email: satsa@bigambitions.co.za

Tel. +27 73 061 3114

About SATSA

SATSA is the voice of inbound tourism in Southern Africa, representing over 1,100 quality assured members across the tourism value chain. As a trusted mark of credibility, SATSA-member businesses are vetted annually with stringent financial checks and adhere to a strict Code of Conduct, ensuring high ethical and operational standards. SATSA continually works to promote responsible tourism and protect travellers from fraudulent activity within the industry. https://www.satsa.com/

In 2026, that feeling is increasingly hard to find. Bali is getting busier by the day, Santorini is feeling the pressure of the summer cruise ship calendar, and even Lisbon – once considered Portugal’s hidden gem – now has snaking queues for a decent pastéis de nata.

Look a little closer, though, and you’ll find alternative destinations that deliver everything that draws travellers to the Mediterranean and beyond: warm water, exceptional food, and real adventure – usually at a fraction of the cost and without the crowds. And increasingly, it’s becoming even easier to reach these destinations.

Take Airlink’s new Johannesburg–Nacala service (launched February 2026), which opens up northern Mozambique, for example. As well as LATAM’s new non-stop route between Cape Town and São Paulo (launching July 2026), suddenly putting South America firmly on the Saffa radar.

“We’re seeing a real shift in what our clients are asking for,” says Sue Garrett, GM Supply, Pricing & Marketing at Flight Centre South Africa. “They still want an unforgettable, bucket-list experience – but they want it without the crowds. They want to feel like they found something special. And right now, there’s genuine opportunity to do exactly that.”

Fancy an out-of-the-ordinary travel experience? Here are five destinations worth a serious look.

Kefalonia, Greece

On the Ionian side of Greece, Kefalonia offers everything the Cyclades promise without the crowds: turquoise coves like Myrtos and Antisamos, sleepy harbour towns, and vineyards producing crisp Robola whites found nowhere else. While Santorini and Mykonos strain under the weight of their own popularity, Kefalonia feels more relaxed even at the height of summer.

“Kefalonia does have a summer peak, but since it’s the largest of the Ionian Islands, its size and varied terrain help absorb the crowds, allowing visitors to find quieter spots, enchanting beaches, and friendly, local tavernas,” says Garrett. “It’s still part of the Schengen zone, but for South Africans already budgeting for that admin, it delivers a beautiful Greek island experience.”

Top tip: Kefalonia is a big island, so hire a car and spend a few days both on the north and south sides of the island. Staying in both regions drastically cuts down on long, winding drives and allows you to explore different sites and beaches in the most relaxed way possible. Pack water shoes for the pebbly beaches and ask locals where to find the best swimming spots – as some of the more famous beaches have strong currents and undertows.

Albania’s Riviera

A short, high-speed ferry trip from Corfu gets you to Sarandë, and from there, it’s just a twelve-kilometre drive south to Ksamil, where some of Albania’s most beautiful beaches rival anything in the region. Inland, the Roman ruins of Butrint and the impossibly blue spring known as the “Blue Eye” add a bit of interest and adventure to beach time.

Yes, Albania still feels basic – bus timetables are informal and cash is king, but that’s exactly what makes it feel genuinely undiscovered. Albania sits outside the Schengen zone (South Africans will need an e-Visa via the government portal) and is following almost exactly the same trajectory Croatia took a decade ago, then Montenegro more recently. In other words, it won’t stay this quiet for much longer.

Top tip: Bring Euros. While the local currency is the Albanian lek, most tourist businesses and accommodations readily accept Euros at a set rate. Keep a few handy as many of Ksamil’s beaches are private, so you’ll need to pay for access, a lounger, and beach umbrella.

Georgia’s wine country

Tucked between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea, Georgia is the birthplace of wine, with an 8,000-year-old qvevri winemaking tradition in the Kakheti region. Tbilisi mixes cobbled old-town streets and sulphur bathhouses with a restaurant scene that has earned serious international attention, while the Alazani Valley delivers vineyards, medieval watchtowers, and near total quiet. The rand goes a long way here, covering excellent guesthouses and meals that would cost considerably more with a French label attached, and South Africans can enter visa-free for up to a year.

Top tip: Book lunch or dinner a couple of days in advance, especially at smaller, family-run estates, as independent winemakers often only prepare meals for those who book ahead. Oh, and pay a visit to Sighnaghi, Georgia’s own “City of Love”!

Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities

Samarkand’s Registan Square, with its turquoise domes and towering gateways, is one of those sights that photographs simply cannot prepare you for, yet it remains filed under “someday” for most South African travellers. The Silk Road triangle of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva now forms a manageable, well-supported itinerary, with Bukhara’s old city still functioning as a living town of carpet workshops and spice bazaars, not a museum piece. Costs on the ground remain low, and the region’s high-speed bullet trains save you from long, bumpy car rides.

Top tip: Uzbekistan’s high-speed rail tickets go on sale exactly 45 days before departure and sell out within minutes, so create an account on the official Uzbekistan Railways website or app in advance and be ready to book the moment your travel dates open.

Argentina: Buenos Aires

Argentina slipped off the radar when SAA discontinued its direct flights to Buenos Aires back in 2014. But with the LATAM São Paulo–Cape Town route launching in September, the magic of Buenos Aires – tango, literature, grand European-style architecture, an outstanding café and steakhouse culture – is back within easy reach. Unfortunately, says Garrett, Argentina is not as affordable as it once was.

“South Africans feel right at home in Buenos Aires’ legendary parillas (steakhouses), especially with a glass of Malbec in hand! The architectural beauty of the city, complete with grand boulevards and bustling sidewalk cafés, really is something special,” says Garrett. “But if you’re looking for more value for money, consider Colombia – both Medellín and Cartagena offer extraordinary experiences, and both are also back in play thanks to LATAM’s new route.”

Top tip: Buenos Aires – a three-hour flight from São Paulo – is packed with personality. The best way to experience it? On a private city tour or local-led food tour. You’ll get a sense of the city’s best neighbourhoods and quickly fall in love with everything on offer.

“The travellers who come back from a holiday feeling the most energised are usually the ones who took a chance on somewhere they had to explain to their friends and family… and returned with stories they’ll be telling those same loved ones about for years,” Garrett concludes.  

In 2026, those places still exist. The question is simply whether you find them before everyone else does.

Kenya has long produced the best distance runners on earth. Eliud Kipchoge alone makes the case. But elite athletics is only one layer of what this dopamine-inducing destination offers.

“Let’s put it this way, it’s a good place for travellers who don’t want to sit still,” says Antoinette Turner, GM of Flight Centre South Africa. “Sure, you can run and hike there, but it has plenty more to offer outdoor enthusiasts across the board. What surprises most people is just how much is packed into one destination, and how accessible it all is.”

Here’s what makes Kenya a compelling destination for active South African travellers, according to Flight Centre’s team of Travel Experts.

Iten: Where the best runners train

Known as the Home of Champions, the town of Iten sits at 2,400 metres above sea level in the Rift Valley, offering the perfect elevation for endurance training. Unsurprisingly, it has produced more elite marathon runners than anywhere else on the planet. More and more serious amateur runners are heading there to train at altitude alongside Kenyan athletes, eat simply, sleep well, and come home in better shape than they left.

“Active travellers who go to Iten expecting a challenging training camp often come back talking about how peaceful it was,” Turner adds. “Morning runs on red dirt roads through highland mist. Afternoon rest. Nutritious, whole foods. No distractions.”

A testament to the earth’s raw sculpting forces, Kenya’s Great Rift Valley is flanked by sloping escarpments, lake shores, and volcanic terrain that get trail runners excited. Routes around Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate National Park offer technical, scenic running at altitudes that will test your fitness and reward your effort.

“Hell’s Gate is also one of the few parks in East Africa where you can move at nature’s pace on foot or by mountain bike without a fence between you and the local wildlife,” Turner says. For mountaineers seeking a new frontier, she nudges towards Mount Kenya, topping out at 5,199 metres.

Cycling the highlands

The road from Nairobi into the Aberdare Range delivers a high-altitude adventure through tea plantations (Kenya is the world’s largest exporter of black tea), spectacular waterfalls, and cedar forests.

According to Turner, Kenya’s highlands suit multi-day safari cycling well – there’s enough gradient to make it interesting and enough scenery to justify stopping often. “The roads here are far quieter than anything comparable in Europe, and guided cycling routes are particularly well-established,” she says.

Walking safaris in the Maasai Mara

A walking safari provides an immersive alternative to 4×4 safaris, with all senses engaged. You read animal scat and spoor and move at a slower pace, allowing you to notice things you might miss from a vehicle seat.

“Active travellers opting for walking safaris are often the ones who’ve already done a conventional safari and want something different and more intimate,” Turner says. “This experience requires your full attention combined with physical movement, which is exactly why active and adventurous travellers love it.”

Water sports and kitesurfing

Diani Beach, on Kenya’s south coast near Mombasa, is a world-class kitesurfing destination, promising reliable trade winds, protected coral reefs, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, and more. It is also, frankly, a fine place to do absolutely nothing for a few days, according to Turner.

“Downtime near the ocean delivers what most of us need to reset,” she adds. “The beach delivers on both ends of the activity spectrum: wading through the shallows or deep-sea fishing, depending on what kind of day you’re after. It’s worth the flight to Mombasa via Nairobi from Johannesburg.”

Yes, Kenya. But why now?

The country welcomed about 2.7 million international visitors and 5.2 million intra-African travellers in 2025 (including South Africans, who can enter Kenya visa-free for a period of up to 90 days), demonstrating the depth and diversity of its travel market.

The exchange rate works in South Africans’ favour, too. R1 buys approximately 8.00* Kenyan shillings, so accommodation, guides, and experiences that would stretch a budget in Europe sit comfortably within reach in Kenya.

“Kenya is not a budget destination in the rough-travel sense,” Turner says. “But South Africans get genuine purchasing power there, and that changes what kind of trip is actually possible.”

In short, when it comes to booking a trip to Kenya, don’t walk. Run.

*According to the exchange rate on 15 June 2026

SOUTH AFRICA, 8 July 2026 – Lion Sands Game Reserve has been named the No. 1 Safari Lodge in Africa and the No. 4 Hotel in the World, while Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel has been recognised as the No. 1 City Hotel in Africa and the No. 35 Hotel in the World in the 2026 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. The awards are widely regarded as one of the most authoritative benchmarks in global travel. The results are featured in the August 2026 issue of Travel + Leisure and are available in full at travelandleisure.com.

Both awards are determined entirely by reader votes, making them a direct reflection of the experiences guests carry home. Lion Sands Game Reserve and Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel are part of MORE Collection, the fourth-generation South African luxury hospitality group, which becomes the first hospitality collection to hold the No. 1 position in both categories in the same year.

“We’re incredibly grateful to every guest who has chosen to stay with us and share their experience. This recognition from Travel + Leisure belongs to every member of our team who shows up for our guests every single day. Lion Sands Game Reserve and Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel are extraordinary places, but it is the people within them who make them what they are. This is their achievement, and we are enormously proud of them,” said Robert More, Custodian and CEO, MORE Collection.

LION SANDS GAME RESERVE | No. 1 Safari Lodge in Africa

Set along 13 miles of the Sabie River, Lion Sands Game Reserve encompasses four lodges – River Lodge, Narina Lodge, Tinga Lodge, and Ivory Lodge – two private villas, and three open-air treehouses perched above the African bush.

Each lodge offers its own character and pace, from the family-friendly warmth of Tinga Lodge to the secluded sophistication of Ivory Lodge, while sharing the same founding philosophy: that a safari should connect guests not just to wildlife, but to the land, the people, and the conservation work that sustains both.

Artist residencies, wildlife photography masterclasses through the Creative Lab, helicopter flights over the Mpumalanga escarpment, and community experiences complete an offering that goes well beyond the traditional safari itinerary.

Both River Lodge and Ivory Lodge offer dedicated kosher kitchens – Ivory’s fully accredited – with Beth Din-certified ingredients and private Mashgiach supervision available.

Across all lodges, Lion Sands accommodates a wide range of dietary requirements, including halal, vegan, and vegetarian, with advance notice.

CAPE CADOGAN BOUTIQUE HOTEL | No. 1 City Hotel in Africa

Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel occupies a restored National Monument on Upper Union Street, in Cape Town’s Kloof Street Neighbourhood, within the suburb of Gardens – a building that dates to the early 1800s and sits within walking distance of the city’s most celebrated restaurants, galleries, and independent boutiques, with Table Mountain rising behind it.

The hotel’s 29 rooms, suites, and private villa, combine heritage architecture with contemporary comfort. The Cape Cadogan Villa offers six guests a fully private experience with a breakfast chef, concierge, and wellness and beauty treatments available on request.

The hotel’s culinary reputation is anchored next door at Upper Union Restaurant, led by Amori Burger, MORE Collection’s Group Executive Chef. Her seasonally driven menu draws hotel guests and neighbourhood locals in equal measure, earning a 2025 Eat Out Woolworths One Star and the Culinary Rising Star Award. Burger’s culinary standards and training extend across the group, shaping the food philosophy at the kitchens of MORE Collection’s safari lodges as much as Upper Union’s.

-ends-

For more information, contact Sue Kelly on pr@more.co.za | www.more.co.za
View Travel + Leisure Top 100 Hotels in the World here.

ABOUT THE TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD’S BEST AWARDS
Each year, Travel + Leisure recognises the top hotels, islands, cities, cruise lines, airlines, spas, and more around the globe, according to the results of the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026 readers’ survey. Additional information about methodology and criteria is available at travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/survey-methodology.

ABOUT MORE COLLECTION
MORE Collection is a fourth-generation South African hospitality company with a portfolio of luxury safari lodges, boutique hotels and exclusive-use villas across some of the country’s most remarkable destinations. Rooted in a family legacy that began in 1933, the business has evolved from protecting a single stretch of wilderness into a collection shaped by people, place and genuine hospitality.
Today, MORE Collection’s purpose – Great People. Strong Connections. – reflects its belief that exceptional hospitality begins with the relationships between guests, teams, communities and the natural environments that surround them. Across Lion Sands Game Reserve, Marataba Game Lodges, Monwana Game Lodge and Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel, every stay is guided by thoughtful hospitality, a deep respect for place, and a commitment to creating meaningful experiences that endure long after guests leave.

Despite fares rising by between 10% and 50% on many routes, only 10% of South African travellers have cancelled their holiday plans, according to a survey conducted by the Association of Southern African Travel Agents and Advisors (ASATA). That says everything about the South African traveller’s relationship with travel. But absorbing a crisis and navigating it intelligently are two very different things.

“The fuel crisis is real, and, in some cases, the cost increases are significant, but South Africans are still travelling,” says Sue Garrett, GM Supply, Pricing & Marketing at Flight Centre South Africa. “Our job is to help them do it smartly.”

Here’s what you actually need to know before your next booking decision.

What’s driving the price increases?

Jet fuel more than doubled in price between late February and early April 2026, following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supply. The Middle East accounts for roughly 41% of European aviation fuel imports, and that supply has been severely disrupted.

The knock-on effects have been significant: 13,000 flights cut globally in May alone, nearly two million seats removed from the market, and Lufthansa announcing 20,000 cancellations through October. Closer to home, jet fuel at South African inland airports jumped 115% month-on-month as of 1 April, with coastal airports up 145%, and FlySafair’s temporary fuel surcharges rose nearly 400% in March.

A recent dip in global oil prices followed ceasefire talks, but experts are clear: even if the Strait fully reopens, it will take months for pricing to normalise. The fuel arriving at South African ports today was purchased at higher prices, so relief, when it comes, will be slow.

Should you wait, or book now?

Book now – and here’s why.

Capacity is being removed from the market while South African demand remains high. Less supply plus sustained demand points in one direction only: higher fares. The travellers waiting for clarity are, in most cases, waiting for prices to rise.

The good news? You can lock in today’s fares for travel up to 12 months out. For peak-season travel (school holidays and long weekends), Garrett says that booking four to six months in advance is advisable, as seats fill quickly.

“From a currency perspective, the rand is currently sitting at around R16.34* to the dollar, which is meaningfully stronger than the R17–R18 range South Africans were navigating for much of the past two years. That makes now a relatively favourable moment to lock in international fares. Waiting for a better rate is a gamble, and fare increases could easily outpace any rand strengthening,” Garrett explains.

One important note from Flight Centre’s Travel Experts: quote and ticket on the same day, particularly on international routes. Fares can shift between quote and purchase, and in the current environment, that gap can be costly.

Where is the value right now?

Surprisingly, some of the most competitive fares currently available are on routes that travellers might be avoiding out of lingering uncertainty.

Emirates has confirmed that 96% of its global network has been restored, and Qatar Airways is targeting more than 150 destinations from mid-June. Both carriers are currently offering fares that, on certain routes, are lower than pre-conflict February levels – in some cases, over 60% cheaper than non-Gulf alternatives on the same routes.

According to Garrett, for long-haul travel, Asia is currently the most competitively priced destination, with fares ranging from approximately R11,000 to R15,000 per person return, making countries like Thailand and India consistent value picks despite the broader disruption.

“Carrier selection has become one of the most important conversations we’re having with clients right now,” she says. “South African travellers who are still defaulting to non-Gulf alternatives out of lingering uncertainty are, in many cases, paying a significant premium for a risk that has materially diminished.”

The surcharge conversation nobody is having

When you see an advertised fare, it rarely tells the full story. Fuel surcharges appear on your ticket as YQ (fuel surcharge) or YR (carrier-imposed charges), and on some international routes, these charges alone exceed the base fare.

Surcharges are proportionally higher on longer flights, which means domestic and regional African travel is currently meaningfully more affordable relative to long-haul, simply because the surcharge component is smaller.

“The critical thing to know is that surcharges are fixed at the date of ticketing, not the date of travel. If you book today, you are protected against any future surcharge increases – unless you change your ticket – another compelling reason not to wait,” Garrett comments.

“Always compare the total ticket cost, not the advertised price. What looks like a cheap fare can carry a surcharge that significantly changes the picture,” she adds.

Flexible fares: worth it or not?

With 57% of South African travellers worried about losing money on non-refundable bookings, the flexible fare question is front of mind, and rightly so.

A flexible fare will typically cost R3,000–R8,000 more than the cheapest standard economy fare on the same route, depending on the airline and season. Whether that premium is worth it depends on your circumstances, but in an environment where airlines are cutting flights and adjusting schedules, the cost of inflexibility has rarely been more visible.

There is, however, a middle path worth knowing about. Emirates and Qatar Airways are currently offering complimentary date-change options on new bookings – a direct response to the uncertainty of the current environment. In practice, this typically means one or two permitted changes, with restrictions around ticketing and travel dates, and you would still pay any fare difference if the new fare were higher. The specifics vary and are changing frequently, so confirm the exact terms at the time of booking.

Travel insurance: the detail that matters most

Approximately 20% of South African travellers are now actively opting for “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) insurance, even at a premium. If you’re considering it, there’s one rule that overrides everything else, according to Flight Centre’s Travel Experts:

Buy your travel insurance on the same day you pay your first deposit.

Pre-existing condition waivers and CFAR cover typically expire within 14 to 21 days of deposit. Miss that window and you may find yourself with a standard policy that doesn’t cover the scenarios you’re most concerned about.

“CFAR is an add-on to a comprehensive travel insurance policy, not a standalone product. It allows you to cancel for any reason and receive a partial reimbursement – typically 50–75% of pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs, which significantly reduces your exposure,” Garrett explains.

The case for not going it alone

“Travellers no longer want to navigate the current landscape alone,” says Otto de Vries, CEO of ASATA. “They want a professional in their corner who can guarantee flexibility and provide a safety net. No app or online booking platform can call an airline at midnight, fight for a refund, or redesign an itinerary in real time.”

Flight Centre’s own research, conducted before the conflict began, found that 97% of South African travel intenders see value in using a travel agent – the highest proportion of any market surveyed globally. In a Middle East crisis that has doubled jet fuel prices and made the cost of a wrong booking decision more consequential than ever, that instinct is well-founded.

South Africans haven’t stopped travelling, but the gap between travelling smart and travelling blind has rarely been wider.

*Based on ZAR/USD exchange rates on 25 May 2026.