A traveller sleeps at the airport as they wait for their connecting flight during a stopover. Picture: Unsplash
Explore the emerging trend of slow travel in 2025, where adventurers embrace detours and hidden gems, transforming their journeys into memorable experiences.
As we step into 2025, a noticeable shift is occurring in the travel habits of adventurers worldwide.
According to travel experts, there is a burgeoning trend towards slow travel - a philosophy that encourages holidaymakers to travel mindfully and responsibly, relishing the journey as much as the destination.
This trend is accompanied by a rise in “detour travel”, where travellers intentionally stray from the crowded beaten paths of traditional hotspots to explore lesser-known destinations and hidden gems.
Sue Garrett, the general manager for supply, pricing & marketing at Flight Centre South Africa, said people are spending longer in a destination to really relax and immerse themselves in their holiday.
“Extra time allows you to embrace the journey and potentially encounter a detour that could become the highlight of your trip.”
For South Africans, the prospect of travel can often feel immense due to long-haul flights involved in reaching popular destinations abroad.
However, Garrett advocates for the appeal of both stopovers and sneaky detours, arguing their advantages extend beyond mere logistics.
She shares five compelling reasons to embrace this burgeoning travel trend:
Enhance your travel experience
Detours and stopovers can transform your journey into part of the adventure. Instead of rushing, you can unwind, reduce fatigue and savour new experiences, creating lasting memories that extend beyond your primary destination.
Make the most of your trip
With international holidays becoming more costly, detours present an opportunity to stretch your budget. By mixing destinations, you can explore multiple locales and truly maximise your travel investment, especially given the long distances involved.
Save on flight costs
Flights with layovers are often considerably cheaper than direct flights. Garrett advises consulting a travel expert to optimise your routing and identify potential savings, enabling you to discover places like Istanbul or Doha without breaking the bank.
Consider the environment
As overtourism rears its head in many popular destinations, highlighted by Fodor’s 2025 “No List”, detour travel allows for exploration away from the crowds.
From the tranquil wineries of Reims near Paris to the untouched beauty of Finnish wilderness, smaller destinations can offer rich, authentic experiences.
Support local economies
Stressing the importance of community engagement, Garrett points out that detour travel encourages tourism revenue to flow into smaller, lesser-known areas.
This not only benefits local economies but also fosters meaningful interactions with diverse cultures.
In conjunction with the global trend, South Africa’s Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille is emphasising the significance of domestic tourism, urging both locals and international visitors to explore the country’s myriad hidden treasures beyond the well-trodden paths of Cape Town and Kruger National Park.
“South Africans live in an incredibly diverse, beautiful country,” Garrett affirms. “There’s much to discover off the beaten track, and the positive effects of tourism can radiate across all nine provinces.”
As we look ahead this year, it’s clear that travel is not merely about reaching a destination; it’s about embracing the journey - each stop, each detour, laden with potential for new experiences and connections.
The world is ripe for exploration, and the shift to slow travel might just redefine how we see and experience it.