Beaches are so last year
Opportunities for hiking around an active volcano, white-water rafting and zip-lining are among the reasons why South Africans are choosing to tour their own and neighbouring countries instead of travelling overseas. Holidaying in sub-Saharan Africa is a growing trend among South Africans, local travel and tourism companies say.Thompson Travel's marketing manager, Hayley Walls, said that the local traveller has become more daring."People are becoming more adventurous and doing more when they go on holiday."Walls mentioned Piton de la Fournaise, on the island of Réunion, east of Madagascar, as an area that has attracted interest among travellers."There's an active volcano, parasailing, zip-lining and bungee jumping - it's for people who want more than relaxing on the beach."International travel is taking a huge knock, explained Walls, citing the poor exchange rate."But we are seeing a slight recovery due to the recent strengthening of the rand."Travel management company Corporate Traveller echoed Walls' observation, with its research showing that about 17% of business travel is international and 55% domestic. The remaining 28% is attributed to travelling to neighbouring African countries.Botswana, Mozambique, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Algeria are among the leading African destinations for South African business travellers, according to Corporate Traveller research.September is South Africa's tourism month. But, despite this, the period doesn't necessarily see more South Africans travelling, with tourists still preferring to travel during months when there is a lengthy school holiday.Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom said the "historical legacy of apartheid, which saw travel being restricted for certain people", has resulted in a general lack of travel culture among South Africans.As a result, this year's tourism month theme is "tourism for all, promoting universal access".Trevor Bloem, the Tourism Department's chief director of communications, adds that South Africa definitely needs a culture of domestic tourism...
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