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Entrepreneur, successful businessperson and founder and chairperson of the Robin Hood Foundation, Cindy Norcott, has just launched her third book. Entitled the Weight of Hope, it is her first book about the Robin Hood Foundation – and is the legacy and gift that she will leave for those following in her footsteps as she hands …
For many South Africans, going green is no longer just a lifestyle choice; it is a practical response to real challenges like load-shedding, water scarcity and rising utility costs. Homebuyers and tenants alike are increasingly viewing self-sufficient, eco-friendly features as essential, not optional. “Eco-friendly homes have definitely increased in value from both a buyer and …
Hippo Knitting has laid off 295 workers and plans to retrench another 420 in January
Bayer (Pty) Ltd Achieves Prestigious ISO 13485 Certification, Strengthening Commitment to Quality and Innovation Bayer (Pty) Ltd has reached a significant milestone with the successful certification of its Quality Management System to ISO 13485:2016 – Medical Devices, underscoring its dedication to the highest standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. This achievement reinforces Bayer’s position …
These integrations are part of GreenBii’s continuous effort to help African SMEs grow faster and work smarter Lagos, Nigeria — November 11, 2025 — GreenBii, the #1 Business Management Platform for African SMEs, has expanded its market reach with the launch of a new real estate segment and new partnerships with Sytemap by HouseAfrica, and …
Gauteng’s joint traffic operations leading up to the G20 Leaders’ Summit The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP), Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, (JMPD), and South Africa Police Service (SAPS) wish to inform all motorists and residents in Gauteng that a coordinated joint operation will take place on 15 November 2025, resulting in …
Johannesburg, South Africa – Math Restaurant continues to shape Johannesburg’s wine and culinary scene with another sold-out MATH Wine Club experience, reaffirming its status as the city’s leading destination for refined yet welcoming wine culture. Hosted at Waterfall Corner Last Thursday 23 October , the evening treated guests to an unforgettable four-course tasting journey paired …
Nearly seven in ten South African travellers (69%) plan to take the same or more holidays in 2026 compared to 2025, including 49% who intend to travel more frequently, according to Marriott Bonvoy's Ticket to Travel research (www.Marriott.com). Younger generations are leading demand, with 66% of Gen Z planning on taking more holidays next year and embracing AI planning tools, luxury add-ons, and passion-driven trips.
The research, conducted among more than 22,000 adults across 11 key travel markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa—including over 2,000 South Africans—reveals that South Africans are planning an average of six holidays in 2026. This includes two domestic breaks, two short-haul trips (four hours or less), and two long-haul getaways.
Among those planning holidays, the top travel destinations are South Africa (25%), England (10%), Mauritius (10%), USA (9%), Mozambique (9%), France (7%), Botswana (7%), Zanzibar (7%) and Italy (6%).
AI Goes Mainstream in Travel Planning
Artificial intelligence has become a key tool for South Africans planning their next getaway. Nearly half (49%) of travellers have used AI to plan or research a holiday, with 15% using it all the time. Younger travellers are leading adoption—66% of Gen Z and 53% of Millennials have used AI for trip planning, compared to 27% of Gen X and 22% of Baby Boomers.
Confidence is also growing: 59% say they would feel comfortable booking accommodation through AI platforms such as ChatGPT, rising to 67% among Gen Z. Only 12% say the idea makes them uncomfortable.
‘Lux-Scaping' Emerges as a Defining 2026 Travel Trend
‘Lux-scaping'—booking a luxurious stay such as a spa retreat or five-star hotel at the start or end of a holiday—has emerged as a defining 2026 trend. Two-thirds (64%) of South Africans have lux-scaped before, surpassing the EMEA average of 59%. The trend is especially popular among younger generations, with 74% of Gen Z and 67% of Millennials embracing the approach.
Travellers cite the top benefits of lux-scaping as helping them relax and get into the holiday mindset (49%), return home refreshed (46%), give themselves a treat (41%) and enjoy a level of luxury they might not afford for a full trip (33%).
When asked what experiences and services they expect from a 5-star escape, luxury travellers in South African prioritise curated activities such as adventure excursions, wine tastings or private chef experiences (41%), followed by exclusive access to beaches and pools (36%) and all-inclusive stays (34%).
Passion Pursuits Take Centre Stage
Another major trend shaping 2026 travel is the rise of ‘passion pursuits'—holidays built around personal interests such as music, sport, or adventure. Over seven in ten (73%) South Africans have taken a passion-led holiday, higher than the EMEA average (68%), and one in five (19%) do so several times a year.
This trend is especially strong among Gen Z (84%) and Millennials (76%), who are using travel to deepen their engagement with the things they love. The most popular passion pursuits are travelling to see or participate in a music or cultural event (58%), watching or playing a sport (56%), and adventurous explorations like a safari or trek (39%).
Together Time Tops Travel Priorities
When choosing accommodation, the ‘brilliant basics' remain top priorities: cleanliness (96%), customer service (95%), and price (93%) lead the list. South Africans are strongly family-orientated, preferring to travel with family or children (44%) rather than with partners (35%) or friends (12%) while only seven percent prefer to travel alone.
‘Spending time with family and friends' (53%) remains the top travel priority, followed by ‘great food and drink options (48%), treating themselves (40%), and time in nature (40%).
Smart Spending, Savvy Travellers
South Africans remain financially savvy, finding ways to make their money go further. Price is a key driver, with 51% saying they'll book a holiday if a special price is available – the highest across the EMEA region.
Travellers are also making smart use of loyalty programmes to maximise value: 42% say hotel loyalty programmes influence where they stay (compared to 32% across EMEA), while 27% would go ahead and book, if they could earn loyalty points.
South Africans are equally focused on maximising experiences once travelling. ‘Country hopping' – visiting multiple countries on one trip – is on the rise, with 45% saying they will ‘probably' or ‘definitely' do this next year, increasing to 52% among Gen Z.
Sustainability Continues to Shape Decisions
South Africans continue to place sustainability at the heart of their holiday choices. Three-quarters (76%) of South African travellers have looked into the environmental impact of their holidays, while 59% checked the sustainability credentials of their accommodation before booking — the highest proportion across EMEA.
“South African travellers are entering a new era of exploration — planning their holidays with sustainability in mind, while being more selective about how they spend and who they travel with,” said Dorcas Dlamini Mbele, Senior Director, Commercial - Sub-Saharan Africa, Marriott International.
“Younger generations are especially enthusiastic, taking more trips and embracing new ways of planning — from using AI to building multi-country itineraries. 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.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Marriott International, Inc..
Notes to Editors:
*Research conducted by Mortar Research amongst 2,045 adults in South Africa between 14th-21st July 2025, as part of wider research among 22,266 adults in the UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Türkiye, South Africa, and Egypt. There is a minimum of 2,000 respondents per market.
When referencing the Generations, please see below the age groups that are referenced:
For more information, please contact:
Birgit Deibele
Senior Director of Communications for Sub-Saharan Africa
Marriott International
Email: Birgit.Deibele@marriott.com
Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/47OllUV
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Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4nRxkqZ
TikTok: https://apo-opa.co/3XrkBAg
About Marriott Bonvoy®:
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's award-winning travel program and marketplace, gives members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe. Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of more than 30 extraordinary hotel brands offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit www.MarriottBonvoy.com. To download the Marriott Bonvoy app, go here (https://apo-opa.co/4nKdzkZ).
Gauteng Gospel Explosion expects 10,000 attendees for an unprecedented weekend of music, worship, and outdoor adventure at Zwartkop Lapa Resort CENTURION, Gauteng – 11 November 2025 — South Africa’s gospel music scene is about to experience something entirely new. The Gauteng Gospel Explosion at the Gardens becomes the country’s first-ever multi-day camping gospel festival when …
President Cyril Ramaphosa says if the Group of 20 (G20) is to live up to its mission of addressing the world’s most pressing economic and financial challenges, it must “significantly and urgently reduce inequality”. In his weekly newsletter to the nation, the President called on world leaders to act now to tackle rising inequality, warning …
Shopping centre provides rent-free retail space as part of commitment to addressing Western Cape’s homelessness crisis Canal Walk has opened its doors to U-turn Homeless Ministries, providing a permanent retail space at Shop 177 on the Lower Level to house the charity’s new thrift shop. This partnership marks a significant expansion of the shopping centre’s …
The CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier South Africa 2025 will give youngsters in the Under-15 age-group another chance to showcase their skills on the international stage and perhaps put them on the path to a professional career in the game. The qualifier will take place in Stellenbosch from December 5-7 with the …
Truecaller is facing headwinds in South Africa, with concerns about whether it is violating the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), and the regulator is investigating complaints about the app. The investigation stems from complaints that it charges spam-marked businesses a “whitelisting” fee to remove their spam labels. However, Truecaller has denied these allegations. It …
The skies above Gauteng are about to roar to life! The Wonderboom Airshow returns to Wonderboom Airport on Friday, 15 November, promising a high-octane flying festival that brings together the best of South African aviation. For those new to the scene — an airshow is not just about planes flying by; it’s a celebration of …
Cassava Technologies (www.CassavaTechnologies.com), a global technology leader of African heritage, has made significant progress with its landmark project to establish Africa's first network GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) offering. As the first preferred NVIDIA Cloud Partner (NCP) in Africa, these secure data centre facilities, located across South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco, will mark the company's long-standing leadership in providing world-class digital solutions on the continent.
“Cassava's commitment to growing Africa's AI ecosystem is not just about technology; it's about empowerment. Securing the position as the first preferred NVIDIA Cloud Partner in Africa enables us to play a crucial role in the continent's AI ecosystem. At Cassava, we want to enable African businesses to emerge as leaders and innovators in AI, not just consumers. We want to empower Africa to write our own AI future, in our own languages, with our own data using local compute infrastructure,” said Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group CEO of Cassava Technologies.
Deploying high-performance compute locally in Africa is a game-changer. It enables entrepreneurs, governments, and enterprises to develop and deploy AI solutions cost-effectively and with greater sovereignty. With Cassava's GPUaaS, the company is democratising access to cutting-edge AI computing capacity, empowering African businesses, governments, and researchers to develop innovative AI solutions, streamline operations, and stay competitive in a fast-changing world.
By delivering world-class compute capacity to Africa, Cassava Technologies is positioning the continent not only as a participant but as a creator in the global AI economy. This aligns with the company's purpose of enabling a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Cassava Technologies.
About Cassava Technologies:
Cassava Technologies is a technology leader providing a vertically integrated ecosystem of digital services and infrastructure enabling digital transformation. Through its business units, namely, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Liquid C2, Africa Data Centres, Distributed Power Africa, Sasai Fintech, Cassava has operations across key growth markets like Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States of America. Cassava provides its customers in 94 countries with offerings that will help them grow, transform, and expand their operations. www.CassavaTechnologies.com
Political analyst Roland Henwood said the withdrawal of the US from the summit is a setback for South Africa. US President Donald Trump’s decision to boycott the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg has sparked fierce backlash across the political spectrum. The move follows Trump’s claims of genocide of white South Africans in the country. ANC …
The court found the Department of Correctional Services had violated her rights by refusing hormonal treatment as “cosmetic medication”
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – Moreleta Service Centre has published two essential educational resources designed to empower South African motorists with knowledge about their legal rights and vehicle safety. The guides address common concerns faced by car owners, from understanding consumer protection legislation to identifying potentially dangerous brake issues. The first guide, “Your Rights as a …
South African households can go entirely off-grid with a solar PV and battery backup power system, starting from around R150,000, depending on their power usage. Many frustrated households expressed keen interest in ditching their Eskom connections completely during the severe load-shedding experienced in previous years. That interest would quickly wane once a solar power installer …
Pretoria, South Africa – Pretoria Service Centre has released an educational resource to help drivers decode their vehicle’s dashboard warning lights and make informed decisions about when to seek professional service. The guide addresses a common challenge faced by motorists: understanding what dashboard warning lights actually mean and determining which require immediate attention versus those …
Enviro Automotive has revealed the pricing and specifications for the upcoming Riddara RD6 Econ electric bakkie. Riddara is a sub-brand of Chinese carmaker Geely, which is set to launch in South Africa before the end of the year. The company has partnered with Enviro Automotive, which will function as the importer and distributor for Geely’s …
Luke Fraser ·10 Nov 2025 President Hyper claims to be the cheapest hypermarket in South Africa, tracing its history in the country back to the 1960s. President Hyper has only four locations in South Africa: Rustenburg, Vanderbijlpark, Krugersdorp and Fochville, with the latest expansion happening fairly recently, in 2025. The group’s stores are independently-owned, though …
South African travellers will soon have three new direct flight routes to look forward to, connecting the country more easily with Spain, Mozambique, and Zanzibar. The new routes mark a boost in air connectivity as airlines respond to a surge in travel demand, expanding tourism, and growing trade links across Africa and Europe. The biggest …
JOHANNESBURG – The FW de Klerk Foundation rejects US President Donald Trump’s allegations of a white genocide in South Africa. READ| No link between paracetamol and autism, major review finds Trump announced on social media that it was a disgrace for the G20 summit to be held in South Africa, and that no US official will …