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After two years of lockdowns, isolation, restrictions and bans, South Africans can finally travel again. And with our new wings come a slate of new products, services and influencers – from data-driven intelligence to help you find your next flight to new health and safety protocols for a post-pandemic world.
Here, we round up the key services, people and products we’re looking forward to as we dream of our next big getaway.
- A new standard for health and safety
In 2020, Radisson Hotel Group introduced the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol, a 20-step protocol used across its hotel and training business and a 10-step protocol used for its meeting and event spaces. The health and safety protocol was developed in partnership with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company and includes steps such as disinfecting all key entry points, a personalised contactless service, regular COVID-19 prevention training, and the monitoring of indoor air quality, among others. Since the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol was initiated, many other hospitality and tourism businesses have introduced their own health and safety measures, with travellers now expecting the highest level of hygiene when it comes to booking a hotel stay.
- The perfect flight at the perfect price
Flight aggregator sites have long been par for the course but, global travel search site Cheapflights.co.za is taking it up a notch with a new tool: the Work from Wherever Index. This nifty tool allows gig workers and other travellers looking to work remotely with a one-stop guide to the best countries for remote work. It ranks 111 countries – including South Africa – based on popular searches made on the Cheapflights site and how well each country scored across the six categories of travel, local prices, health and safety, remote work, social life and weather. South Africa ranks 61st globally and fifth amongst countries in the Middle East and Africa region, with
its highest scores in the categories of price, travel and social life. Mauritius, which ranked fourth globally, beating out many European heavyweights, tops the ranking for the Middle East and Africa.
- Experiences over things
In 2016, Airbnb introduced Airbnb Experiences – one-of-a-kind activities hosted by experts all around the country. Experiences are activities or excursions that are led by passionate local hosts, highlighting their interests and perspective as well as unique places many visitors might not otherwise get to experience. Then in 2020, Experiences went virtual and online with anyone being able to do any experience – anywhere in the world. All from the comfort of home. No matter if you want an in-person experience or an online one, there’s something for everyone. You can learn to surf with the locals in Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa, take a cooking class with an indigenous cook in Mexico City, Mexico or even do a music and culture tour with a local Havana DJ in Cuba.
- An Afrocentric perspective of travel
A quick scroll through social media puts our favourite insiders and influencers in the most gorgeous destinations – places we would love to visit too! Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next holiday or simply want to tour the world from the comfort of your couch, the travel movers and shakers of the social media world bring a life of discovery, travel and cultural encounters directly to your small screen. While some of our favourites include the Vagabrothers, who provide facts and tips on travelling on a budget, in 2022, African travel influencers are taking centre stage. Thobi Rose is a champion of domestic travel and her content is filled with amazing things to do and see in Mzansi while Senzelwe Mthembu‘s adventures across Africa are what travel dreams are made from.
- Purpose-led, meaningful experiences
After living through long periods of constraints and limitations, those looking to travel are doing so with renewed energy. Travel is no longer about just heading off on a beach vacation; now, more people are looking to experience cultures or tourism where they can make an impact. From voluntourism and wellness breaks to meaningful family holidays such as the new edu-vacation that combines experiences with learning, this is the year where travellers will try to get every bit of richness and meaning from their experiences. Some local destinations that offer a touch of luxe with learning and meaning include Sanctuary Mandela, a new hotel opened in the former residence of Nelson Mandela, and Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge, which offers luxe, one-of-a-kind rooms in a train over the historical Sabie River in the heart of the Kruger National Park.
- Authenticity and connection
Modern travellers are also increasingly more socially aware and conscious, looking for more authentic experiences that connect them to the areas they visit, says Tshepo Matlou, Head of Marketing and Communications at Jurni, a local stay booking platform “These often can be found at small guest houses and business owners outside of the big cities in areas that are incredibly rich in cultural value and have much to offer visitors who are willing to explore them,” he says. Because of this, localised booking sites will no doubt become more prevalent in the coming years.