Is the current trend gaining momentum with South African tourists? Off-season trip.
“After all, traveling at the 'wrong' time may actually be the smartest way to do it,” says Antoinette Turner, general manager of South Africa's flight centres.
Compared to peak season, savings of 20% to 50% have led local Randwilders to begin to move away from what is apparent in both timing and destinations.
“Stressing each land, looking at your penny, stressing each land while being bumped into your elbows, and stressing each land is not a relaxed and fun way to spend your hard-earned holiday,” adds Turner. “But more than that, low-season travel often offers a richer experience when iconic places become quieter and lesser-known destinations really come to themselves.”
If you're looking forward to your July or December holiday, now is the time to chat with your travel advisor about the perfect low or shoulder seasonal destination.
Off-peak affordable rates and fares
One of the main perks to travel in low season? Airfares, accommodation, tours and attractions are significantly lower prices.
“This year's quiet month often offers attractive deals and attractive upgrades,” adds Turner. “The Wrong Season” is actually the perfect time to enjoy five-star luxury at a 3-star price. ”
Some destinations all go out to invite visitors. For example, Dubai will start “Dubai Summer Surprise” from June to September. Think of iconic malls and massive sales at Sky High Resort at invincible room rates. Their “Kids Go Free” initiative will encourage more South African families in 2025.
Even eating out can be more affordable and enjoyable during off-peak trips. “There are few diners with equal reservations and service staff at restaurants that are not spinning from table to table, and we compromise on service,” adds Turner.
Don't shrug your shoulder season
Don't ignore the fact that offseason travel means less than the preferred weather…but that's if you're not planning well or are not bucking the advice of your travel experts on when and where to go.
Turner points out how more South Africans are properly timing their holidays to avoid extreme situations, whether they're cold and wet or unbearable hot. Many choose the shoulder season – time frame between seasonal changes and peak and off-peak travel periods.
She uses Japan as a prime example, noting that this year's recent slide has made her more popular with South African travelers.
“The shoulder season in Japan, from early April to mid-June and mid-September to early December, bumps into sweet spots for travelers across budgets. Cherry blossom season is the peak of tourist time, but moving quickly can mean welcoming savings, crowds reduced, and ample weather.”
Tropical destinations offer a unique, unique magical touch between the low and shoulder seasons. Take the Maldives, for example. During the rainy season between May and November, the Bay of Honifal in Baa aToll embraces hundreds of mantas through the water in a mesmerizing sight.
“And when we're going to cruise in quiet seasons, Turner adds.
Low season sustainability
Off-peak travel is more than just a budget boost. It eases the burden on the environment and the local community. Overtourism during high seasons often overwhelms infrastructure, crowd legacy and overwhelming resources, as we visited high season destinations such as Italy, Spain and Greece.
“Popular travel throughout the year helps reduce this pressure,” Turner explains. “A small crowd means that there is less impact on natural and cultural landmarks, and tourism revenues provide a more consistent support to the local economy.”
She further emphasizes the rise of “dawn.” This raises travel trends centered around dark after activities, which provide a new perspective on travel. Think of cultural festivals, sleeping in starlight bushes, and encounters of nocturnal wildlife.
“We talk to travelers who want to make the most of their nights on their holidays, avoiding the daytime hours,” explains Turner. “Some of our most memorable night experiences are at our gateway, from the winter starry sky in Namibia to the salt pot berths of McGadikgadi in Botswana.”
2025 low season trip
As we move through 2025, a quiet shift has shifted, changing the way South Africans want to explore the world. Turner describes it as a “quiet revolution,” and more travelers embrace the slower, more gentle rhythms of low-season travel, carrying the chaos of peak season.
“This trend is gaining real momentum as shifts are seen across travel deals,” she notes. “More destinations are launching engaging off-season campaigns with discounts and insider tips, encouraging travelers to rethink their traditional holiday calendars.
