Johannesburg - As winter approaches, many are already dreaming of cosy getaways or thrilling adventures to break the monotony of everyday life. According to leading travel company Travelstart, the rebound in travel that began in 2022 will continue to surge in 2023 as people make up for lost time due to the pandemic.
Travelstart CEO Stephan Ekbergh shares a few getaway ideas that will satisfy the growing need for social connection, while offering the opportunity to explore overseas destinations or recharge the batteries on local turf. Ekbergh said we can see this just by the travellers who passed through the Cape Town International Airport for January this year: 515 017 domestic two-way passengers; registering a 74% recovery vs. January 2019.
“Social travel is on the rise, particularly music and sports pilgrimages that allow travellers to experience a destination through its music, local sporting events and connect with a global community. After a few years of missing out on large social gatherings, the craving for human connection is strong; you can’t make babies on Zoom,” he said.
Ekbergh added that travellers are determined to seize the moment and explore, even in the face of rising costs of living.
“In fact, many are adding to the length of their holidays to get more for their money and make the most of their time away,” he said.
A new report by data research company Morning Consult supports this notion, revealing that Gen Z’s (those born between 1997 and 2012) are planning to travel longer this year and take more trips overseas. And although financial costs are their biggest travel worry, they always look for the cheapest option and are willing to cut back on other spending in order to pay for travel.
With the winter school holidays fast approaching, Ekbergh shares a few getaway ideas that satisfy the growing need for social connection, and also offer the opportunity to explore overseas destinations or recharge the batteries on local turf.
Move to the rhythm
Music festivals have become a staple for many young travellers, and one of the largest in the world is the iconic Glastonbury Music Festival in rural Somerset, England. Taking place from June 21–25, this festival attracts more than 200 000 music fans every year and has more than 100 stages and performing areas.
In 2023, headliners include Guns N’ Roses, Elton John and Arctic Monkeys. To get there, travellers can fly from Cape Town or Jozi to London with Lufthansa, with more options available. If you’d like to combine your music pilgrimage with a European holiday, why not head to Portugal’s leading music and arts festival, Nos Alive, and catch Red Hot Chili Peppers perform along Lisbon’s riverside from July 4–6.
Catch the sport action
For sports fans, there’s nothing quite like being in the stadium, surrounded by thousands of other fans, cheering on your team. This winter, the international sporting line-up includes a battle between the Bokke and Australia on home soil at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on July 8.
Look out for self-drive packages that include car hire, accommodation, daily breakfast and a grand-stand ticket.
Another local event that attracts the bold and the beautiful of South African society is the Durban July, the country’s most famous horse race, which is taking place on July 1. Get caught up in the sight of the horses’ power and speed and the sounds of hooves pounding on the Greyville track, while you enjoy some downtime along Durban’s beachfront, and soak in the sweeping views of the Indian Ocean.
Jet-set somewhere exotic
Jet-setting is another trend to emerge after a few years of being stuck indoors and confined to the TV room couch. If you’re a fan of the hit TV show “Succession”, you may have been blown away by the natural scenery featured in season 4, which was partly shot in Norway. This winter, you can explore the awe-inspiring Norwegian coastline with an 11-day cruise of Northern Europe and Iceland, which includes all meals and onboard entertainment.
Ekbergh said that winter getaways offer the perfect opportunity to break free from everyday routine and create unforgettable memories with loved ones.
“Whether it’s catching a thrilling sports match, immersing yourself in the local music scene or exploring exotic destinations, Travelstart offers some of the lowest fares around and has many package deal options to choose from that are just a click away. Why wait?”