South African holidaymakers are continuing to book December travel despite a recent resurgence of tensions in the Middle East, travel agents say, though many are seeking extra reassurance on routing, flexibility and insurance before paying up.
Bookings hold up, but passengers seek reassurances
Forward bookings for the upcoming December holiday season are described as stable and in some cases stronger than the same period in 2025, according to travel agencies. Agents report a surge in enquiries about contingency options — extended change windows, alternative routings and travel insurance — rather than cancellations.
“Forward bookings for the upcoming December holiday season are stable and, in fact, stronger than the same period in 2025, with many clients having secured their travel between April and June. We do expect the normal ‘last minute rush’ in October for December bookings,” said Jolien De Beer, MD of XL Glenwood Hermanus.
Flight Centre Travel Group's research echoes that picture. Sue Garrett, GM of Pricing, Supply & Marketing at the group, said the agency expects combined volumes of more than 2 200 nett ticket bookings for the peak December season — up from just under 2 000 in the full financial year of 2026.
“Combined ticket volumes across Middle Eastern transit routes for the peak December season, December 1 to January 6, are actually ahead of the same period last year,” said Garrett.
Questions focus on operations, not safety
Travel professionals told Travel News that clients’ concerns tend to be practical. Rather than fears about the safety of flying through regional airspace, passengers are worried about operational impacts such as flight delays that could affect tight, time‑sensitive itineraries or the prospect of being delayed at a transit hub.
Travel agents report that many clients are engaging in what Garrett called a “reassurance conversation” — asking more questions and taking longer to move from quote to confirmation, but still going ahead with travel plans in the majority of cases.
- Strong forward bookings: Travel agents say bookings for December are running ahead of last year.
- Higher demand for options: Passengers request flexibility, alternative routings and insurance more often.
- Forecast figures: Flight Centre expects > 2 200 nett tickets for 1 December–6 January peak season.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Flight Centre forecast (peak season) | More than 2 200 nett ticket bookings |
| Full 2026 financial year comparison | Just under 2 000 |
| Peak season date range | 1 December – 6 January |
The resilience in demand appears driven partly by early purchasers: many clients secured travel as early as April to June. Industry sources expect a typical uptick in bookings closer to October as last‑minute planners confirm arrangements.
Airlines most commonly mentioned by travellers include Middle Eastern carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. Agents say their customers are broadly comfortable with those carriers but want clarity on what would happen to itineraries if routes or transit operations were disrupted.
For South African travellers planning overseas holidays, the message from agents is practical: consider flexible fares, check cancellation and rerouting policies carefully, and ensure travel insurance covers delays and missed connections. Those steps appear to be helping travellers proceed with bookings even as they ask more questions and take a bit longer to confirm.
As things stand, the travel industry is preparing for a busy December season with demand steady — a sign that holiday plans remain a priority for many South Africans despite geopolitical unease abroad.
