Where South Africans are travelling this Easter

The first school holidays of the year are almost upon us, soon followed by the Easter long weekend.

Many South Africans have already booked their autumn breaks with their families. Recent research reveals that Airbnb travellers are bidding adieu to the bigger cities and are choosing instead to visit smaller towns, mainly those in the Western Cape, with their nearest and dearest, making way for a slower pace for their family break.

Top destinations Airbnb guests are booking for a family holiday with their year-on-year growth when compared to the same period last year*.

- Margate, KwaZulu-Natal (185.19%)

- Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (137%)

- Saldanha, Western Cape (127.27%)

- Ballitoville, KwaZulu-Natal (96.36%)

- Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape (87.7%)

- Knysna, Western Cape (73.53%)

- George, Western Cape (67.74%)

- Mossel Bay, Western Cape (63.89%)

- Hermanus, Western Cape (56%)

- Cape Town, Western Cape (39.36%)

Farm stays in high demand

When it comes where South Africans are staying over this period (March 1-April 21), it seems that we are enjoying local farm life quite a bit with an increase of 19.87% in farm stay bookings on Airbnb.

Set in the beautiful countryside, farms serve as excellent stops between destinations on long road trips and provide a unique insight into rural life. For travellers looking for an authentic, local experience, farm stays offer the perfect chance to meet local communities away from the typical tourist hotspots.

Many farmers are finding they have buildings on their premises, which they can transform into accommodation to share on Airbnb. This innovation not only creates an extra source of income, but it diversifies business and brings in a new type of work ‒ welcoming people from around the world.