Why 33% More South Africans Are Swapping Passports for Pool Decks

Zimbali Poison Ivy Lounge

The old holiday ritual used to mean dusting off your passport, Googling exchange rates, and praying your luggage didn’t land in Istanbul when you were bound for Ibiza. This year, more South Africans are ditching airport queues altogether. According to Budget Insurance’s new travel index, staycation searches are up 33%, proving that luxury doesn’t always require a ten-hour flight; sometimes it’s as simple as packing your bags and driving down the road.

The thrive-at-home boom 

Tourism isn’t just fun and sun, it’s big business. In 2023, the Global Tourism Forum reported that travel contributed 8.2% of South Africa’s GDP, a recovery from the pandemic slump. By 2030, the Department of Tourism forecasts that contribution could rise to 10.4%.

Domestic travel is leading the charge. South Africans took 38 million local trips in 2023, pumping around R121 billion into the economy, outpacing international tourist spending.

A vacation for a new generation Younger travellers are driving the staycation trend. Gen Z, shaped by a mental health revolution, aren’t shy about prioritising balance. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Global Gen Z Survey, nearly half feel stressed or anxious most of the time, with burnout hitting harder than a Monday morning meeting. The solution? Rest, on purpose. A 2024 report found that 61% of travellers aged 18–34 are planning holidays centred around self-care and wellness, with staycations high on the list.

Why staycations make sense right now 

Shorter, more frequent breaks are replacing the one big annual overseas trip. The Budget Insurance index also flagged a rise in road trips, with the Garden Route and KwaZulu-Natal topping South Africa’s most-searched escapes. Pair scenic drives with chic hotels or serviced apartments, and you’ve got the formula for the modern holiday: adventure by day, indulgence by night.

 Some of the country’s notable stays include:

• The Capital Zimbali – barefoot luxury on forested coastline, with mornings on the beach and evenings watching the Indian Ocean set the sky on fire.

  
  

• The Capital Pearls, Umhlanga – oceanfront views, sushi platters, sundowners and shopping within strolling distance.

  
  

• The Capital Menlyn Maine, Pretoria – urban chic made for spa afternoons and elegant nights.

  
  

• The Capital 15 on Orange, Cape Town – city living with Table Mountain practically leaning over your balcony.

  
  

• SEVEN Villa Hotel & Spa, Sandton – a retreat from city pace without losing any of the glamour, skyline selfies, or rooftop parties.

  
  

Pearls

At The Capital Hotels, Apartments and Resorts, a staycation becomes a choose-your-own-adventure. Cook for the family in a fully serviced apartment or order room service to your suite. Spend the day by the pool with the kids, or slip away for a spa treatment. Dance the night away in the city, or stay in with a glass of wine and that view.

Because the real secret is: luxury feels better when it’s easier. When the stress of airports and visas disappears, the joy of the getaway takes over.

The future of holidays is closer than you think 

If the trend continues, 2025 will be the year South Africans stop asking “Where overseas?” and start asking “Which province next?”. Sometimes the best holidays don’t begin with a boarding pass; they begin on a pool deck, cocktail in hand, just a few hours from home.