Sho’t Left Travel Week (SLTW) has again proven to be a major highlight for South African travel enthusiasts, surpassing expectations and solidifying its position as a powerful local tourism initiative.
With strategic focus on affordability and access to unique travel experiences, the 2024 SLTW saw unprecedented engagement by locals eager to secure travel deals.
Despite featuring fewer deals than last year, SLTW attracted more than 235 000 visitors to its website – a substantial 130% increase from 102 000 visitors in 2023. “This spike in online traffic underscores growing interest in domestic travel and suggests Sho’t Left is resonating more deeply with South Africans seeking local travel options,” said Mashoto Mokgethi, South African Tourism Hub Head: South Africa.
Although the number of available travel deals decreased from 920 in 2023 to 655 in 2024, this didn’t deter domestic tourists from booking deals, added Mokgethi. “On the contrary, the engagement numbers highlight that the platform is becoming a trusted resource for travellers to explore, book and enjoy local getaways. Bookings through the site rose from 9 800 in 2023 to 14 000 this year – a 30% year-on-year increase.”
Mokgethi said SLTW also received widespread media attention, which boosted visibility. Although direct bookings through the platform were impressive, South African Tourism is conducting a survey to assess the full impact of the week. “The survey aims to capture any additional bookings made directly through our trade partners’ platforms, which could further increase the total number of confirmed travel reservations.”
Following the successful SLTW campaign, the South African Tourism is set to launch the much-anticipated #Gimme Summer Sho’t Left campaign at the beginning of October 2024. The campaign aims to encourage local and international travel to South Africa during the festive season.
“The summer campaign will run across multiple platforms and include activations nationwide. We would like to encourage the travel trade to prepare attractive deals they can offer during the campaign. We are excited to work with our trade partners to help promote their deals and ensure South Africans can make the most of the upcoming holiday season,” said Mokgethi.
