Kaya 959 Kaya Biz

South Africans Plan More Holidays in 2026 — AI, Lux-Scaping & Passion Pursuits on the Rise

Loading player...
After years of cautious spending, South Africans are getting ready to pack their bags and they’re doing it smarter, greener, and with more luxury in mind.

According to Marriott Bonvoy’s latest Ticket to Travel research, nearly seven in ten South Africans plan to take the same or more holidays in 2026, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge. AI is officially mainstream, with almost 60% of travellers comfortable letting AI tools like ChatGPT plan and book their trips while new trends like “lux-scaping” and “passion pursuits” are shaping how people travel.

Joining us to unpack these trends is Dorcas Dlamini Mbele, Senior Director of Commercial for Sub-Saharan Africa at Marriott International. She shares insights into how South Africans are blending tech, sustainability, and indulgence to redefine modern travel from spa retreats and curated experiences to multi-country adventures and purpose-led holidays.
11 Nov 2025 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Responsible Mining Must Put Communities and Ecology at the Centre

With the Mining Indaba in full swing, one of the key conversations should be focused on why South Africa’s pursuit of sustainable development in mining still remains uneven. While economic growth and investment imperatives continue to dominate decision-making, environmental protection and community wellbeing are too often treated as secondary considerations…
11 Feb 3PM 10 min

Beyond Numbers: The Human Side of Financial Success in Entrepreneurship

A study by FinScope MSME has highlighted that South Africa is home to around 3 million micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, employing an estimated 13.4 million people, making small businesses a critical part of the country’s workforce and economic future. To work towards curbing the challenges of entrepreneurship, there is…
11 Feb 1PM 11 min

Valentine’s Risk: What Couples Don’t Know About Money

As Valentine’s Day approaches, many South African couples are celebrating love, but few are talking about money. This is where problems often start. Reeona Chetty, Head of Advice at Vouch, unpacks the financial, legal and insurance blind spots couples face in South Africa, especially those living together but not married.
11 Feb 1PM 10 min

FlySafair–Harith Deal raises ownership, regulation and PIC questions

Low-cost carrier FlySafair’s acquisition by pan-African infrastructure investor Harith General Partners has placed the airline on the cusp of expanded growth opportunities across the continent, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and deeper commercial links with Europe, analysts said on Tuesday. Did FlySafair have no real choice…
11 Feb 1PM 10 min
All episodes