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A survey conducted by Airbnb has revealed that Komani and Middelburg in the Eastern Cape are currently among the top ten trending towns in South Africa as the vacation rental company has seen a great increase in domestic travelers.
Following a volatile few years at the hands of the pandemic, domestic travel is thriving, with bookings in the first half of this year up approximately 65% compared to the same time in 2019.
Locals are searching for the hidden gems in all parts of the country, while the increased flexibility of remote work is also seeing people stay for longer.
The rebound in domestic tourism is good news for local hosts and businesses battling increasing living costs.
According to Airbnb’s survey, half of hosts across the country say they host to afford the rising cost of living, while over a third say the additional income helps them make ends meet.
The typical South African host earns just over R26,000 - equivalent to approximately one month's additional pay for the average income earner - by renting their space on Airbnb.
- Komani, Eastern Cape
- Mahikeng, North-West
- Witbank, Mpumalanga
- Middelburg, Eastern Cape
- Polokwane, Limpopo
- Cullinan, Gauteng
- Brakpan, Gauteng
- Mankoeng, Limpopo
- Ceres, Western Cape
- Midrand, Gauteng
The survey also showed that the rising cost of living is pushing guests to seek more affordable family travel on Airbnb. Three in five guests say booking on Airbnb saved them money and one third said they specifically chose Airbnb over other types of accommodation to save money.
The town of Komani emerged as a hot spot, boasting amazing hiking and biking trails and a picture-perfect mountain backdrop for the evenings. The town has seen an approximate 245% increase in domestic status in the first half of 2022 compared to the same time in 2019.
For those looking to relax by the pool or play a round of golf, Middelburg is ideal for a weekend break. The town has also been added to the list of top trending towns for domestic travellers.
Velma Corcoran, Regional Director for Middle East Africa at Airbnb, said, “It’s fantastic to see South Africans embracing travelling domestically and spreading the benefits of tourism to all corners of the country after a tough couple of years.”
“Airbnb was born during the Great Recession and once again, hosting is proving to be an economic lifeline for thousands of South African families looking to make ends meet.”
The survey was based on 1151 hosts and 685 Airbnb guests who booked between June 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, and surveyed between February 17, 2022, and March 31, 2022, with a margin of error under 2%.
