JAPAN is set to dominate
2019 travel trends among SA
travellers, according to trade
members canvassed by TNW.
Teresa Richardson of The
Travel Corporation, said
Japan had recently been
listed by TripAdvisor as one
of the top 10 most booked
food experiences in 2018.
“Japan is definitely a trending
destination with SA travellers
as well. It offers unique food
experiences, accompanied by
unusual entertainment such
as robot evening cabaret
shows.”
Club Travel’s Wally Gaynor,
said travellers would flock
to Japan for the 2019
Rugby World Cup and Jackie
Adami, md of Development
Promotions, agreed: “Japan
will definitely be on the rise
due to the interest shown in
the destination by sport-mad
South African travellers.”
She said destinations such
as Sri Lanka were also set to
increase in popularity. “South
America and exploration trips
are also definitely on the rise.
Experiences like seeing the
Northern Lights and travelling
with a purpose (i.e. wellness
and active trips) are also
trumping traditional city breaks
and holiday experiences.”
Wally predicted increased
demand for bucket-list
destinations like India, Brazil,
Galápagos and Antarctica.
Chris van Staden of Azure
Travel said Croatia was also
on the up, particularly when
combined with travel to
Greece.
Caroline Tinsley of Intrepid
Tours SA, agreed, adding that
sailing and cruise trips were
a popular way to explore both
countries and said Morocco
was also a destination to
watch.
Industry wish lists
TNW asked the industry
what they wold most like
to see in 2019.
Barsa’s June Crawford:
“I hope that the 2,2%
GDP growth we saw in
the third quarter of 2018
is an indication that we
are moving away from
another recession. More
growth will see airlines
increase the number of
routes to South Africa
and up the capacity on
some routes.
I would also like to see
improved immigration
regulations.”
Otto de Vries of Asata
says: “I believe 2019
presents the opportunity
to further transformation
initiatives within the
industry at senior
management level.”
He also forecasts a
return to old consumer
values, as a result of
the shift away from
commoditised travel.
“This will re-emphasise
the importance of the
travel adviser.”
Wally Gaynor of Club
Travel, says he hopes
for “a peaceful election
resulting in more
decisive leadership
to sort out the myriad
issues facing the country
and a stable exchange
rate”.
Air Mauritius’s Carla
da Silva would like
to see “a regulated
industry whereby good
corporate governance
is established and that
the industry continues to
grow, prosper and remain
sustainable”.
Jackie Adami
of Development
Promotions, is hoping
for a stable rand. “This
would be a great change
for outbound travel
and boost consumer
confidence and travel in
general as it would allow
travellers to plan and
budget a bit better.”
