The old holiday ritual used to mean digging out your passport, Googling exchange rates, and praying your luggage didn’t end up in Istanbul when you were meant to be in Ibiza. But this year, more South Africans are skipping the international airport queues altogether. According to Budget Insurance’s new travel index, there has been a 33% surge in staycation searches. This means more people are realising that luxury no longer needs a 10-hour flight away, it can be as simple as packing your bags and driving down the road.
A thrive-at-home boom
Tourism isn’t just fun and sun, it’s lucrative. In 2023, The Global Tourism Forum found that the travel sector contributed 8.2% of South Africa’s GDP after recovering from the pandemic slump. Forecasts from the Department of Tourism suggest that by the end of 2030, that number could climb to 10.4%.
What’s more, domestic trips are booming. Studies have found that South Africans took 38 million domestic trips in 2023, pouring around R121 billion into the local economy. That is more than what international tourist spending achieved.
A vacation for a new generation:
Much of the hype around staycations is being driven by younger people. Gen-Z has come of age during a mental health revolution and they’re unashamed about asking for what they need. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Global Gen Z Survey, nearly half of Gen Z report feeling stressed or anxious most of the time, with burnout landing heavier than a Monday morning meeting. The remedy? Taking time out. On purpose. Without guilt. A 2024 report highlighted that 61% of young travellers (aged 18–34), are planning vacations specifically centred around self-care and personal wellness and staycations are a big part of that mix.
Why staycations make sense right now
Flexibility is a big part of why travelling domestically is becoming more popular. Instead of one long-haul holiday a year, South Africans are taking shorter, more frequent breaks.
The knock-on effect? More people are exploring South Africa’s hidden gems. The same Budget Insurance travel index that flagged the staycation surge also highlighted a rise in road trips, with routes through the Garden Route and KwaZulu-Natal ranking as the country’s favourite escapes. Pair those with stylish hotels and apartments and you’ve got the perfect formula: adventure during the day, indulgence at night.
When the world is on your doorstep
Take a spin around the country at these venues and see why sometimes it’s more fun to let your passport gather dust:
- The Capital Zimbali is where barefoot luxury meets forested coastline, mornings on the beach, afternoons in the spa, evenings watching the sun sink into the Indian Ocean.
- The Capital Pearls in Umhlanga puts you right on the oceanfront, where sushi platters, sundowners and shopping are all a short stroll away.
- The Capital Menlyn Maine is Pretoria’s version of urban chic, made for afternoons of pampering and evenings spent with something elegant in hand.
- The Capital 15 on Orange in Cape Town lets you sleep in the heart of the city with Table Mountain practically leaning over your shoulder.
- SEVEN VILLA HOTEL & SPA in Sandton is all about escaping the fast pace of Sandton without ever being far away from the glamour, skyline selfies and rooftop parties that could make Ibiza blush.
Each property brings something different, but the thread is the same: the kind of passport-free indulgence that feels both effortless and memorable.
Luxe without compromise
A staycation, especially at The Capital Hotels, Apartments and Resorts, is like the choose-your-own-adventure of luxury. You can cook your own family meal in a fully serviced apartment or order room service to your suite and eat at some of the country’s best restaurants. You can spend the day by the pool with the kids or sneak off for a spa treatment; hit the city nightlife or stay in with a glass of wine and that Table Mountain view.
And perhaps that’s the real reason South Africans are turning local: luxury feels better when it’s easier. When the stress of travel disappears, the joy of the getaway takes over.
The future of holidays is closer than you think
If the current trends are anything to go by, 2025 is the year South Africans stop asking “Where can I go overseas?” and start asking “Which province should I try next?” Because sometimes the best holidays don’t start with an international boarding pass they start with a pool deck, a cocktail and the knowledge that you’re only a few hours from home.
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