Big, showy bucket-list trips might be a thing of the past. As the world gets hotter, busier and more expensive, travel is moving in new, wonderfully unexpected directions.
We caught up with Antoinette Turner, GM of Flight Centre South Africa, to learn more about the trends gaining momentum in 2025:
Coolcations
After another European summer characterised by record-breaking heatwaves (when even the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, was closed temporarily due to soaring temperatures), travellers are looking for altogether more moderate climates.
“This trend opens the door to new destinations – like Iceland, Denmark and Estonia – but also to the wonders of shoulder season travel,” says Turner. “More and more people will choose to travel to Europe in May and September rather than in the traditional peak summer months of June, July and August. In fact, Flight Centre’s latest data shows that South Africans, more than any other region, are embracing off-peak travel. Not only is it significantly cheaper – but the weather is still beautiful!”
Adventures After Dark
Another way of escaping the heat? Wait for the sun to go down. “Noctourism” focuses on nighttime travel experiences, like star bathing (also known as mindful stargazing), night safaris, moonlit hikes and even Makgadikgadi Salt Pan sleepouts in Botswana, explains Turner.
“South African Tourism’s new astro-tourism strategy capitalises on the country’s dark skies and worldclass observatories. Travellers can explore the mysteries of the cosmos with storytellers in Carnarvon, astronomers in Sutherland, and guides in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.”
And in great news for South Africans travelling to Turkey, the country has extended its nighttime attraction programme, with 27 major attractions now open until 9pm (and sometimes as late as 11pm) until October, offering visitors a chance to beat both the crowds and the summer heat. Highlights include classical music performances under the stars at Ephesus ruins, plus late-night access to Istanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia, Archaeological Museum, and Galata Tower.
Multi-Gen Travel
Whether Dubai, Mauritius or Phuket, South Africans love travelling with family! Saffers (86%) are also more likely than Kiwis (75%), Americans (75%), Brits (70%), and Australians (69%) to include different generations in their travel plans.
“We’re still seeing a marked increase in multi-generational travel,” says Turner. “Obviously, travelling together is a wonderful bonding experience and way for families scattered across the world to reconnect, but it’s also a clever way to leverage group discounts and maximise value.”
Pet-Friendly Goes Premium
Today, travel often includes four-legged family members, too. What started as “allowing pets” has evolved into full-blown animal hospitality. Think five-star hotels with luxury amenities and services that cater to the needs of both well-behaved pets (including welcome treats, velvet pillow beds and even pet sitters) and their owners.
Two great examples are the Oyster Box in Umhlanga (they accommodate pets in their Superior Garden Villas) and the Mount Nelson in Cape Town (with five dedicated pet-friendly rooms on the ground floor). But the golden rule? Always double-check your accommodation’s pet policy and ensure you comply with size, breed, behaviour, and leash requirements.
For those with a more adventurous spirit, dog-friendly glamping is also taking off. South Africans can now choose from four different AfriCamps sites: AfriCamps at de Pakhuys, Cederberg; AfriCamps at Karoo 1, Hex Valley; AfriCamps at Stanford Hills, Stanford; and AfriCamps Klein Karoo, Oudtshoorn.
Of course, you still need to get your dog around the country, and as Turner explains, most airlines do not allow pets in the aircraft cabin (with special dispensation for service dogs.)
“The one local exception is LIFT, which offers a limited number of dog-friendly seats per flight, although dogs may not exceed 7 kg in weight and accompanying passengers have to fill in a ‘Dog-in-Cabin’ request form at least seven days before travel,” she says. “Alternatively, FlySafair has partnered with BidAir Cargo PetLounge to provide a safe, comfortable, temperature-controlled space in the hold for your pets.”
Niche Events
Hot on the heels of micro resorts (cabins, yurts, A-frames, glamping pods and rustic retreats) comes hyper-localised, micro and niche events – interesting experiences that draw like-minded people to beautiful destinations. A good example is Stellenbosch, which is ready to host Wine Town (26 July-3 August), its ever-popular Stellenbosch Street Soirees (kicking off with a special Woordfees Straatsoiree in October) and Garden Town (31 October-9 November).
“South Africa’s rich cultural calendar is the perfect excuse to plan a few unforgettable nights away, and there is no better place to do it than Stellenbosch,” says Annemie Liebenberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch. “Here, culture comes alive through wine, art, music, literature, gardens, and heartfelt local hospitality. It is more than just a visit, it is a chance to immerse yourself in the stories, flavours and people that make this town so extraordinary.”
Ultimately, tourists are choosing to ditch the crowds for a more personal, transformative journey. From stargazing in the Karoo to literary festivals and pet-friendly glamping, 2025’s top trends prove that the most memorable adventures happen when we dare to travel differently.
