A home away from home
Gone are the days when travelling meant being confined to a pintsize hotel room with minimum space to manoeuvre. Using Airbnb, homeowners from around the world are opening their doors to families who want to travel together, o ering them a budget-friendly
Just like home
According to a survey conducted by leading global travel network Virtuoso, multigenerational travel is this year’s top holiday trend. Regional marketing consultant for Airbnb Velma Corcoran says many hosts offer entire homes, which is ideal for families who can’t usually afford to travel together.
“Airbnb is reasonably priced without compromising on quality,” Velma says. “Grandparents who are ‘empty nesters’, especially, get to spend time with their extended family in a homely yet stylish environment.”
Instagrammable moments for Generation Z
On the other hand, grandchildren want immersive experiences. For Gen Z, it’s all about capturing epic moments for the ’Gram. Ranging anywhere from pre-teens to those in their early 20s, members of Gen Z are also known as ‘destination disruptors’. According to Virtuoso, they hold the most influence over their family’s travel decisions.
“South Africans are embracing and discovering their country – on their terms and within the budgets they have available”
Options that interest Gen Z include volunteer work that benefits local communities, nomadic journeys to explore their heritage and culturallyimmersive experiences that allow them to step out of their own lives. The rest of the family tags along for the awesome experience.
A happy medium
The paradigm shift away from traditional travel is the industry’s response to a combination of different expectations across generations. The Airbnb space ticks all the boxes, from pocket-friendly solutions for extended families to innovative experiences that suit each member of the family. Every time you book, Airbnb automatically generates an itinerary based on your interests. Activities include anything from outdoor adventures to culinary explorations.
Explore SA on your own terms
It’s an exciting time for tourism. Velma says family holidays are once again on the rise. “Through these, South Africans are embracing and discovering their country – on their terms and within the budgets they have available,” Velma concludes.