With South Africa leading as the continent’s largest business travel market, the outlook for the rest of this year and beyond offers promising opportunities for companies seeking to optimize their managed travel programs.
Economic rebound: A positive shift for travel
South Africa’s economic prospects are on an upward trajectory, and forecasts are improving for the months and years ahead. Oxford Economics predicts economic growth will double to 1.6% in 2025. This positive sentiment is reflected in the travel sector, where the prospects for demand for both domestic and international travel are encouraging.
South Africa’s position is unmatched
As Africa’s leading business travel market, South Africa’s position is unmatched. Business travel spending in the country is more than double that of the next largest market, Ethiopia. This dominance is expected to continue. Tourism Economics projects 17% growth in business travel arrivals in 2025. This robust growth presents a unique opportunity for travel buyers and stakeholders to capitalize on the expanding market.
International and domestic travel trends
While domestic air travel in South Africa has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels, the future growth of this segment depends on airlines adding seats into the market. On the international front, the rest of this year may see weaker demand, but the outlook for the next two years is much brighter. The rebound in international air travel is expected to drive significant growth, unlocking the country’s potential as a travel destination.
Hotel demand: A growing market
The demand for hotel accommodation in South Africa is also on the rise. South African travelers dominate this segment, with their numbers already 20% higher than in 2019. This growth is expected to continue steadily, while demand from foreign travelers is anticipated to reach near full recovery this year, with even stronger growth forecasted for 2025.
Meet BCD at the GBTA Southern Africa Conference, Aug. 20-21
Connect with BCD at GBTA Southern Africa Conference, Aug. 20 – 21. Explore how we can help your travel program thrive. Meet Gregory L. O’Neil, President of Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East, and Kagiso Dumasi, Director, Strategic Business Development, Global Network, at the show.
Greg will also present a 30-minute session on how companies can develop and implement sustainable travel programs.
Session details
Tuesday, Aug. 20
10:30 a.m.: “Sustainable development: Maximizing the positive effects”
