According to travel experts, travellers across the world will continue to embrace slow travel in 2025, travelling mindfully and responsibly, and enjoying the journey as much as the destination. This includes an element of ‘detour travel’, where travellers intentionally veer off-course, either avoiding the overcrowding associated with traditional tourist hotspots, or taking the opportunity to visit a lesser-known destination – if they find themselves in close proximity and don’t want to pass up the opportunity to experience something new!
Sue Garrett, GM Supply, Pricing & Marketing at Flight Centre South Africa, says the average length of trips is getting longer – and they expect this trend to continue in 2025.
“Looking at our booking data between 1 December 2024 and 31 January 2025, the average length of trips booked is 16.2 days – up from 14.7 for the same time last year,” says Garrett. “People are spending longer in a destination in order to really relax and immerse themselves in their holiday, but a little extra time also allow you to embrace the journey – and leave yourself open to a stopover or detour, which so often becomes the highlight of a trip!”
If you live in South Africa, going ‘anywhere’ can feel quite far away – with South Africans used to the prospect of a long-haul flight. But rather than rushing to your destination, Garrett says both a stopover and its close cousin, the sneaky detour, have a lot going for them. Here are just four reasons to stay over or take a sho’t left:
1. Enhance your travel experience
Detours and stopovers can significantly enhance your travel experience by making the journey itself a part of the adventure. Instead of rushing to your final destination, you can break up long-haul flights, reduce fatigue, and prioritise new experiences. This approach allows you to explore new locales and taste local delicacies, creating memories beyond your primary destination.
2. Make the most of your trip
International holidays are costly. For many South Africans, it’s now definitely a case of quality over quantity. Stopovers and detours can turn a single long-haul flight into a multi-destination adventure, allowing you to explore several places and get real bang for your buck, especially when considering the long distances involved (when are you likely to be in that part of the world again?).
3. Save on flight costs (and splurge on adventure)
A flight with a layover can be significantly cheaper than a direct flight. Garrett recommends chatting to a travel expert to design the perfect routing—looking at the potential for flight savings.
“South Africans often fly through hubs like Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar), Singapore (Singapore Airlines) and Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific),” says Garrett. “Talk to your travel agent about the potential for a stopover. If you get it right, flight savings could allow you to explore the mosques and markets of Istanbul or the malls and museums of Doha!”
Another example? For South African travellers moving between Africa and Europe, a stopover in Morocco or Egypt can be highly rewarding. These countries offer a unique blend of African, Arab, and Mediterranean cultures – meaning you can have a holiday with a difference before going on to visit family in the UK.
4. Consider the environment
Perhaps the biggest reason to consider a detour is to help ease overtourism in some of the world’s most popular destinations.
The publication of Fodor’s 2025 ‘No List’ has highlighted destinations that have long had problems managing tourism levels, as well as newer ones where the situation is expected to worsen. ‘No List’ destinations include Bali, Barcelona, Mallorca, the Canary Islands, Venice and Lisbon.
The good news is that detours get you off the beaten path, allowing you to discover local spots and surprising gems far from the madding crowds – for example, heading off to Reims before or after visiting Paris, or exploring Brescia when travelling to Milan. If you’ve got your sights set on Scandinavia, note that locals in Finland, in particular, are working hard to promote just-as-beautiful detour destinations – mainly to protect Rovaniemi (the official home of Santa Claus) from an increasingly overwhelming number of visitors every year.
Of course, detours and stopovers increase travel time and, as a result, have a heavier footprint. Garrett says that there are ways to mitigate this impact:
- Efficient routing & carbon offsetting. Chat to your travel expert about measures you can take to minimise your footprint. They can suggest the most efficient routes, airlines and carbon offsetting schemes.
- Eco-conscious travel practices. During your stopovers try to use public transport, cycle, walk, and always support local vendors.
For Garrett, the last point is important. “Detour travel supports local economies by directing tourism revenue to smaller, lesser-known areas,” says Garrett. “It can make a massive difference in the lives of locals, benefitting communities and small businesses rather than just large tourist hotspots.”
The same is true for domestic tourism. South Africa’s Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille, has been vocal about the importance (and contribution) of domestic tourism, encouraging South Africans and international visitors alike to explore other parts of the country, not only popular destinations like Cape Town and Kruger.
“South Africans live in an incredibly diverse, beautiful country,” agrees Garrett. “There’s much to discover when you venture off the beaten track – and the benefit of tourism can then be felt across all nine provinces.”
FLIGHT CENTRE TRAVEL GROUP SOUTH AFRICA
Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) SA is part of Flight Centre Travel Group, an Australia-based international travel company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, with a market cap of AU$3.90 billion and a current share price of AU$17.57 as of 28 January 2025. FCTG with three leading brands: Flight Centre, Corporate Traveller and FCM, of which Corporate Traveller and FCM are proud level 1 BBBEE Contributors. FCTG SA is wholly owned and has been recognised as one of Deloitte’s Best Companies to Work for in South Africa for over a decade.
