Catch us if you can: South Africans named the world's ultimate travellers

Move over, traditional holidaymakers. When it comes to a deep, unshakeable commitment to exploring the globe, South Africans are officially leading the pack.

According to a massive global survey by Flight Centre, which polled thousands of travellers across South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, and Canada, Mzansi’s jet-setters outclass the rest of the world on almost every single travel metric.

Despite facing one of the most economically pressured consumer markets on the planet, South Africans refuse to let a tough economy ground them. In fact, we view boarding a plane not as a luxury, but as a non-negotiable lifeline.

"South Africa carries one of the deepest relationships with travel of any country we surveyed," says Antoinette Turner, General Manager at Flight Centre South Africa. "Travel is not a discretionary reward for South Africans. Rather, it’s considered a necessity, a form of identity, and in many cases, a deliberate act of resistance against difficult circumstances."

Here is how South Africans are rewriting the global travel rulebook.

Mental health over everything

For South Africans, a holiday isn't just about getting a tan; it’s essential maintenance. A staggering 83% of local respondents stated that travel is vital to their mental health and wellbeing. When life gets heavy, we pack our bags.

In agents we trust (And a little bit of AI)

While the rest of the world increasingly relies on solo screen-scrolling to book trips, South Africans prefer the human touch (no surprises there). An incredible 97% of local travellers value a human travel agent to navigate their journeys. Interestingly, we aren’t tech-phobic; the data shows South Africans are among the most open to using AI tools for planning. But when it comes to locking it in and feeling secure, we want a real person in our corner.

The masters of 'bleisure' and the budget hustle

Let’s face it: our geography does us no favours. "There’s no casual weekend trip to Paris or Rome from Johannesburg," Turner points out. Because getting anywhere requires serious time and financial commitment, South Africans have become master strategists:

• 96% actively hunt for package deals, book well in advance, and fly budget airlines to make vacations affordable.
• 77% have embraced or are open to "bleisure", cleverly tacking a holiday onto a work trip.

Where are we heading next

South Africans are uniquely skilled at balancing a budget with a taste for the finer things, 62% are actively pursuing luxury travel, and 49% deliberately travel during off-peak seasons to get more bang for their buck.

If you are looking for destination inspiration, two major long-haul hotspots are already dominating the local radar:

The green and gold invasion: Australia

The 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia is already a massive blip on the local radar. Thankfully, getting there from OR Tambo is easier than ever. Qantas is running direct flights from Johannesburg to Sydney (just over 12 hours), while both Qantas and SAA offer direct routes to Perth (under 10 hours).

Visa-free luxury: São Paulo, Brazil

For those chasing wellness, eco-tourism, and world-class gastronomy, South America is calling. LATAM Airlines is launching a direct flight from Joburg to São Paulo, Brazil, this coming September 2026. The best part? It brings vibrant, visa-free travel within easy, non-stop reach for green-passport holders.

"South African travellers think carefully about what they want, cherish what they choose, and deserve more credit than they get," concludes Turner.

So, if you're currently staring at your calendar and plotting your next escape, go ahead and book it. Science says you literally need it.