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

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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

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