A recent survey conducted by the Flight Centre Travel Group SA (FCTG) showed that South Africans are ready to travel again, and Flight Centre has plans to flex its business to cater for the evolving wants and needs of local travellers.
Of survey respondents, 86% said they would consider travelling to a perceived safe destination in 2020/2021; 43% would be comfortable travelling internationally and 44% voted for travel within South Africa.
Only 13% of participants were unsure if they would travel in 2020 or 2021, while 1% said they would consider the circumstances first.
"Although 43% of survey respondents say they would like to travel internationally, it is likely restrictions, regulations and an economic downturn will affect outbound travel. Over the next two years we’re expecting a focus on domestic travel – South Africa for South Africans,” said Andrew Stark, FCTG md Middle East Africa.
Of respondents, 73% said they would be comfortable travelling on a local flight or travelling by car (in their own vehicle or a hired one).
In terms of intra-provincial travel, 59% said they would travel within their own province, 20% said they wouldn’t, and another 20% said they would if the deal was good enough; 43% of the respondents live in Gauteng, followed by 23% in Cape Town and 18% in KwaZulu Natal.
Flight Centre conducted the survey through its newsletter and Facebook page and a total of 7 546 respondents took part. In line with the survey findings, FCTG said it was already moving its business to focus strongly on domestic travel for the next two years.
