Every December, South Africa goes on the move, typically for about 12 days. This year the journey costs more. The Reserve Bank raised interest rates again in September, taking prime to 10.75%, and petrol is closing in on R30 a litre.

With household budgets under increasing strain, many might have expected South Africans to cut back on festive spending altogether. Yet Standard Bank and partner data from last year’s festive season show South Africans didn’t cancel Dezemba. They planned it differently. 

The numbers point to a clear shift from spending more to spending smarter: Middle- and lower-income households made up to 45% more hotel bookings in December 2025 but spent 6% less on each, even as December airfares run more than 20% above the rest of the year. The numbers tell a story of moving towards value-seeking travel rather than abandoning it altogether. South Africans adjusted how they travelled, giving rise to four distinct types of festive travellers that stood out last year. With pockets even tighter now, Standard Bank expects their habits to be even stronger in 2026. 

“December is non-negotiable for most South African families. It’s when people go home, reconnect and finally rest,” says Michelle Munemo, Head of Travel & Lifestyle at Standard Bank [pictured above]. “Our data shows people haven’t cancelled it. They’ve become more strategic, and we want to help their money go further.”

The article describes four different types of travellers:

• The Early Bird: December is sorted by November
• The Homecomer: the long road back
• The Coastal Family: more trips, smaller bills
• The Road-Tripper: keys in hand by October

And goes on to state: "Many break the journey: spend on roadside stopover hotels rises 52% over the festive season, and those rooms go early. Standard Bank clients can save up to 30% at Courtyard Hotels, City Lodge Hotels, Town Lodges and Road Lodges in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique when they book through Standard Bank Travel by 31 January 2027 and pay with any Standard Bank card."

Read the full article in Jozi Captions here.