SA families rein in holiday spend

Kruger expects geopolitical uncertainty to continue to influence travel choices over the coming months. “Everyone is watching the Middle East crisis closely – so I expect families to be looking at local destinations for their upcoming summer holidays in December, as well as popular islands off our coastline.” Henry said Flight Centre was already receiving meaningful enquiry volumes for 2027 and some clients were placing deposits on accommodation for next year. Book early She says agents should advise clients to book early as possible for the best deals. “My firm advice is that they should book four to six months in advance as a minimum. Prices are not going to drop meaningfully – if anything, they’ll increase.” Henry also encouraged agents to get families to define their priorities before choosing a destination. “They should know what they want before they book anything, identifying three to five things that are non-negotiable for their trip. Everything else is negotiable.” She added that clients need to understand the real cost of activities, particularly overseas, advising that travellers should be encouraged to consider the full cost of a holiday rather than focusing only on the package price. “Every museum, attraction or excursion in Europe or Asia costs roughly R1 000 per person.” She also advised planning smart, not just cheap. “Small decisions, like accommodation location, open-jaw flights and car rental versus transfers, can make a significant difference to the total cost of a trip. I was recently planning my own family’s trip to the South of France and discovered that a single R3 000 shuttle on the last day of the trip justified renting a car for that leg of the journey. These are the calculations most families don’t have the time or the knowledge to run themselves. It’s exactly where a travel adviser earns their value,” Henry said. Henry also believes advisers should be honest with clients whose travel ambitions exceed their budgets. “Waiting, saving more and doing the trip properly serves the client far better than sending them overseas underprepared financially. That kind of advice is what builds long-term client relationships and it’s what distinguishes a travel expert from a booking engine.” Kruger added that, despite economic pressures and growing competition, South Africans’ desire to travel remains strong. “South Africans are adventurous and resilient and will always find a way to enjoy life. We were born to explore!”