A recent Travel News poll revealed that South African travel agents are seeing a dip in interest for travel to Europe this upcoming Northern hemisphere summer.
Traditionally a peak period for outbound travel, 54% of readers said interest in travel to Europe was lower than last year, 27% said interest was the same, while 19% reported increased interest, suggesting a potential shift in traveller preference or priorities.
Thompsons Travel confirmed a slight drop in bookings to Europe, particularly Switzerland. “Economic factors such as inflation and rising living costs are pushing travellers to be more selective with their choices,” said Thompsons’ Europe Product and Contract Executive, Angie Cachao. “Many are exploring new, affordable destinations or opting for places with simpler visa processes. Higher airfares and visa costs are also prompting a move away from traditional tourist hotspots.
“The post-pandemic focus on wellness, space, and meaningful experiences are driving interest in quieter, more authentic travel. Global developments are also influencing decisions, as travellers choose destinations that align with their values and provide a sense of comfort and security,” said Cachao.
Carla Vickers from Italian and French Excursions has noticed that South Africans are increasingly budget-conscious. “Rather than staying at a top five-star hotel, they will look at an entry-level five-star or good four-star.”
Vickers, who focuses on Italy, France, Spain and Portugal, has seen stable bookings overall but reported a drop in interest for France. “Talking to a French operator, they have mentioned the same, although we can’t say why exactly. Perhaps after the Rugby World Cup and Olympic Games there was just too much France.
“Italy is always popular. This year we have definitely seen an increase in requests and bookings. I would imagine it has to do with the Jubilee Year. We have recently introduced Spain and Portugal and we are starting to get some bookings for these destinations. Of course, going forward we have to wait and see, but for now our numbers are on a par with last year.”
The luxury client safety net
At the higher end of the market, demand hasn’t dipped. Chrissa Karanastasis from The Travel Concierge said if economic factors had played a role in the European slowdown, she was not affected, as all her clients were high-end travellers. She has noticed more interest in Europe compared with last year.
“My clients are not waiting for their monthly salary. My clients are more upmarket so I’m very lucky I’m not restricted by economic factors. I sell a lot of Greece, Spain, Portugal and Eastern Europe, so I would say more than 70% of my clients choose Europe. A lot of my clients are spreading out to Mauritius and I’ve had a bit of Japan, but Europe hasn’t lessened for me.”
Greece, France and Italy are the three countries Karanastasis receives the most queries and bookings for.
