More SA travellers plan to go abroad

The travel industry is traditionally reluctant to discuss the impact of tragic events on business, but forward bookings are believed to be running at around 20 percent below expected levels.

The travel industry is traditionally reluctant to discuss the impact of tragic events on business, but forward bookings are believed to be running at around 20 percent below expected levels.

Published May 2, 2014

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Cape Town - More South Africans plan to travel internationally this year, according to a study by travel website TripAdvisor’s research branch.

South African hoteliers are also optimistic about profits in the coming year, despite fears that the economy might affect them negatively.

TripAdvisor used to have two separate surveys for travellers and hotels around the world. Now, it has combined them into one global TripBarometer survey.

 

“We wanted to see the parallels and disconnects between travellers and hoteliers,” TripAdvisor spokeswoman Stephanie Boyle said.

 

The survey, released in April, looks at travel last year and projects trends for the rest of this year.

Last year, most South Africans who travelled did so within the country. The TripBarometer survey predicts that 52 percent of travellers will go abroad this year, an increase from 35 percent last year.

The UK was the most popular international destination last year, while more South Africans say they plan to visit Australia this year. South Africans’ dream destinations are Italy and the Caribbean.

 

“Forty-two percent of people said they were saving for their holiday,” Boyle said.

Hoteliers were also more optimistic about their profits than the global average. Hotels expected more business from abroad, and raised their prices accordingly.

Travellers from a number of countries listed South Africa as their dream destination. Another notable finding was businesses’ increased attention to social media and online reviews.

 

“They’ve understood that if you price (your rooms) right, then online reviews have a really big marketing value.”

 

* The World Travel Market, part of Africa Travel Week, is being held for the first time until Saturday May 3 at the CTICC.

Cape Times

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