Drop in Tourist Numbers Holiday Deal Opportunity

The affect of the global economic downturn on the South African travel industry may provide an opportunity for travellers on South Africa holidays to find good deals on travel to the region.

Bookings at hotels are down as locals stay at home during the summer holidays rather than traditional family vacations away. This trend is particularly hard felt in Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal – traditionally popular destinations with South African travellers. Some tourism experts blame the fall in tourism numbers on the inflation of hotel and restaurant prices ahead of next year’s World Cup. Tourism in South Africa has been growing in recent years with tourism making up 8.5% of South Africa’s GDP in 2008. Tourism providers have however ignored the importance of the domestic tourism market which makes up higher percentage of the tourist rand than travellers from Europe, Asia and the North America.

The drop in tourist numbers is providing an opportunity for local and international travellers wanting to go on South Africa holidays. Many hotels have announced last minute specials for July in an effort to boost occupancy numbers. Lower accommodation costs coupled with already competitive airfares between Europe and South Africa is making the region an affordable holiday destination during the economic downturn.

2 by 2 Holidays are specialists in South Africa holidays and other regional destinations including Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique and Mauritius.

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