There was a time when planning a holiday meant spreadsheets, three different WhatsApp groups, and a Google doc titled “Packing List_v6_FINAL_FINAL.” But lately? Travellers are starting to ask, “What if we just went?” And in surprising numbers, they are.
From Friday-night group chats to Monday morning beach photos that make everyone else wonder how you pulled it off – spontaneous travel is picking up serious speed. Not as a fad, but as a reflection of how many of us are choosing to live: less rigid, more flexible (thanks, in part, to hybrid work policies) and ready to bolt the second a 40%-off deal pops up.
According to Antoinette Turner, GM of Flight Centre South Africa, “We’re seeing more people booking closer to their departure dates – especially solo travellers. The tech is better, the deals are smarter, and frankly, people are just more comfortable going ‘let’s do it’ and figuring out the rest later.”
Why now?
The ingredient list behind the rise of spontaneous travel isn’t exactly a mystery.
1. Phones can do it all.
84% of South Africans say their phones improve the entire travel experience. No surprise there – one pocket-sized device now handles trip ideas, bookings, maps, translation, dinner reservations, and gloating on social media.
2. We work weird hours.
With fewer full-time office mandates, many South Africans have the freedom to zig out of town midweek. Want to work remotely from Paternoster? Go for it – just don’t forget your charger.
3. Flash deals are everywhere – if you know where to look.
Whether it’s a 48-hour international flight sale or a last-minute midweek hotel deal, real-time promotions make it low-risk to say “yes” first and check your diary second.
Says Turner, “Flash sales are incredibly effective in creating urgency. We regularly see big spikes in engagement when time-sensitive offers roll out – and with mobile tools making that easier, everything moves fast.”
4. Social media says, “do it now.”
We’re not trying to make everything about influencers, but come on – who hasn’t seen someone’s sunset post and checked how far away that beach is? Inspiration is constant and travel FOMO is real.
Who’s travelling spontaneously?
We’re seeing more Spontaneous Budget Explorers (yes, it’s a real segment from South African Tourism) grabbing the wheel – and the car keys, and the snacks. Mostly younger travellers, often heading out in groups, and rarely planning more than a week ahead.
But honestly? It’s not limited to one crowd. While some still plan 132 days ahead for that bucket-list cruise (hi, seasoned planners), growing numbers are also saying “sho’t left?” over Thursday lunch and hitting the road Friday.
There’s something refreshing about both approaches co-existing: big-ticket, carefully planned escapes and micro-getaways that begin with an Umdloti weather search and end with a booked sea-view room.
What makes it work?
Okay, you’re sold but what does spontaneous travel actually look like when your life is full of meetings, debit orders, and the occasional migraine?
- Keep the admin sorted. A current passport (with at least six months left) is essential for cross-border breaks. Don’t be that person.
- Subscribe to deal alerts. Spare yourself the doom scroll. Let smart alerts do the hunting.
- Have a loose plan, not a five-tab spreadsheet. Knowing when that long weekend is coming up or who your travel-ready crew is helps the “just go” decision feel a little less chaotic.
- Midweek is your friend. Fewer crowds, better rates, nicer hosts. What’s not to like?
And if you’re thinking “sure, but I still like planning”? You’re not alone.
Planning is still cool (and kind of calming)
Contrary to that old idea that Gen Zs wing everything, 76% of South Africans actually enjoy planning holidays. No shame in a Pinterest board, travel TikToks, or Google Maps screenshots of “places I want to eat noodles.”
Planning has become part of the experience. It’s relaxing, it’s a hobby, and for many, it scratches the same itch as actually being on holiday. Our take? Do both. Keep your carefully curated itineraries for that one big-ticket holiday and leave room for several spontaneous short-haul trips throughout the year. And let’s be honest, regular breaks – even short ones – offer a range of benefits, from improving mental health and preventing burnout to fostering creativity and productivity.
Where are people going?
Local travel still rules. It’s easier, cheaper, and South Africa’s still an absolute show-off when it comes to landscapes. The Garden Route, the Drakensberg, Magaliesburg weekends, West Coast wildflowers – these are the OG spontaneous escapes for a reason.
For those willing to dip into the international aisle, spots like Mozambique, Mauritius, and Namibia offer relatively simple entry for South African passport holders, with just enough exoticism to feel like a proper holiday.
Turner adds, “We’re seeing more local demand for short-lead domestic trips. People are constantly watching for specials that make a local escape feel like a treat without blowing the budget.”
The travel industry needs to catch up
Let’s not pretend it’s all smooth sailing. Some brands still treat last-minute bookers like flaky teenagers. Hidden fees, clunky mobile booking platforms, and “this deal must be phoned in” nonsense make spontaneous travel harder than it should be.
Here’s the thing: spontaneity is smart. Flexible. Human. The better the tech, the smoother the experience – and the more likely we are to do it again.
“If the deal’s great but the experience of booking it is painful, people just bail,” notes Turner. “We’re constantly refining our mobile platforms and comms tools to keep up with that demand – and it’s moving fast.”
It does come with a warning, though. Scammers are prolific – especially at this time of year – so if a deal seems to good to be true, it probably is. Turner says check the URL. Check the provider. Or better yet, book through a professional.
Honestly? You’ve probably earned it
The idea that great trips require months and months of prep is fading fast. Spontaneity isn’t just a mood – it’s an antidote to decision fatigue, time poverty, and “we should really do something sometime” energy that dies on the group chat.
The options are there. The deals are there. And honestly? You’ve probably earned it.
So, when the next flash deal bumps into your feed, don’t overthink it. Get that leave form, hit “book now,” and tell your mates you’ll meet them in Clarens. Or Kommetjie. Or Vic Falls.
Happy not-planning.
