The travel patterns of South African tourists and businesspersons are likely to be affected during June and July, says the S A Tourism Services Association (SATSA) and tourism consultancy Grant Thornton, according to Business Report.

Families in Gauteng in particular are expected to stay at home over the extra-ordinarily long close to 5-week winter school holiday, or to travel to neighbouring countries such as Namibia, Mauritius and the Seychelles, rather than to travel within South Africa, due to the cost and possible lack of availability of flights during the World Cup.  

Johannesburgers had been seen to stay away from their usual holiday haunt Plettenberg Bay over the festive season, as they were said to be saving their money to renovate their homes, to rent out to World Cup fans.  Such rentals may be less likely, given the lower numbers of overseas visitors to the World Cup than originally estimated.

SATSA’s Michael Tatalias predicts that the next summer season will see locals taking shorter breaks than before, because of their greater spend in getting out of the country during the World Cup.   However, quieter local destinations away from the World Cup buzz might attract locals.

The winter school holidays in all provinces are from 9 June – 13 July.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com