66% of South African Gen Z travellers plan to take more holidays in 2026, highlighting a growing appetite for exploration and experiences.
Image: Pexels.
Youth Month is coming to an end, and as South Africa reflects on this celebration, a new generation of travellers is rewriting the rulebook. They view travel not merely as a quick holiday, but as a journey towards independence, fresh perspectives and profound self-discovery.
According to recent findings by Marriott Bonvoy, 66% of South African Gen Z travellers plan to take more holidays, proving that the appetite for meaningful exploration has never been higher.
Across the broader South African market, travellers are aiming for an average of six holidays per year, two domestic, two short-haul and two long-haul getaways. The top travel destinations are South Africa, England, Mauritius, the USA, Mozambique, France, Botswana, Zanzibar and Italy.
We look at the top trends shaping how young South Africans are moving around the globe.
We look at the core trends redefining youth travel.
Young South Africans are using travel to step out of their comfort zones. Whether setting off on a solo adventure or navigating a new city with friends, the goal is personal growth.
The modern travel formula is all about local immersion over crowded tourist traps. Think regional food tours, traditional craft workshops and community-led festivals.
Mental health and physical well-being are now central to the itinerary. Young travellers are actively booking trips to unplug, recharge and destress.
From affordable beachside mindfulness retreats to nature-centric escapes, wellness is driving destination choices.
Let's face it, economic pressures and living costs are real. Young South Africans are incredibly strategic with their cash, looking for destinations that deliver high-quality experiences without the premium price tag.
The traditional boundaries of annual leave have blurred. Thanks to a remote and flexible working culture, young South Africans are taking their laptops on the road, turning long-term travel and the digital nomad lifestyle into a reality.
Reliable infrastructure combined with rich lifestyle offerings means they can log into Zoom and explore a new country on the same day.
South Africans aren't just travelling to cross a border, they're doing it to expand their minds.
Image: Pexels.
The micro-break strategy: Rather than saving up for one massive annual trip, young South Africans are spreading their budget across multiple smaller, frequent getaways throughout the year. They are combining long weekends and public holidays with hybrid work structures, using AI itinerary planners to quickly build, optimise, and book highly personalised trips.
Glow-cations and hobbies: Beyond just spas, young adults are booking slow, nature-focused, quiet quests built around low-stress hobbies like photography, hiking or stargazing to fully reset their nervous systems away from the digital noise.
The turbulence test: Relationship dynamics are being tested on the road. Gen Z and young millennials are increasingly using travel to vet new friendships, colleagues or romantic partners, booking active, teamwork-heavy group trips to see how people handle real-world stress before committing long-term.
Forget the arrival gate. For today's young SA travellers, the real value is found in the local flavours tasted, the boundaries pushed, and the unique perspectives gained with every single mile.
According to Dorcas Dlamini Mbele, Marriott International's senior director for Commercial in Sub-Saharan Africa, younger generations are showing particular enthusiasm by travelling more frequently and adopting innovative planning methods, such as utilising AI and creating itineraries that span multiple countries.
"At the same time, holidays are increasingly centred on what matters most, whether that’s spending time with friends and family, enjoying great food, pursuing their passions through music, sport or adventure, or adding a touch of luxury to a getaway.
"The clear message is one of optimism, with travel continuing to be a top priority across South Africa," ends Mbele.