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TRAVEL
www.spotongmag.co.za
TRAVEL FAQS
The top 7 questions first-time travellers ask, answered By Jenna Berndt
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Pack essentials such as medication and hand sanitiser and anything you need to be comfortable, such as an eye mask, fluffy socks, book and iPad or phone pre-loaded with entertainment just in case the onboard entertainment doesn’t appeal. Add a scarf (planes are generally chilly).
ravel can be daunting. If you’re soon to be boarding your first international flight or exploring a sho’t left here in Mzansi, there’s no more need to worry. Here are 7 FAQs from first-time travellers, answering everything you need to know.
1. How much will it cost? Affordability is often a concern for first-time travellers. While many South Africans think they can’t afford to travel, the reality is different. According to South African Tourism, only 2.9-million South Africans out of the 8.9-million who could afford to travel in 2018 actually did. The good news is that this seems to be changing. SA Tourism says for the first few months of 2019 local holidays are up 59.7% compared to the previous year. So how do you get in on that action? Start with travelling locally. Staycations and local or regional micro-cations (holidays shorter than five nights) not only give you bang for your buck but also make the most of your precious time. Depending on the Ts and Cs, and the season, of course, Flight Centre offers local self-drive breaks from R900 per person for two nights, a four-night trip to Zanzibar from R9000 per person sharing and packages to Mauritius and Thailand from R12 000 upwards per person sharing.
Stay hydrated and bring along a good dose of patience and excitement. After all, how often do you get to relax and be served drinks, a meal and entertainment in your seat?
3. I’m nervous about being outside of my comfort zone... There are many ways you can save to make your travel dreams come true, from taking advantage of the power of group buying, such as investing in a Flight Centre Travel stokvel, to booking early and travelling in a cheaper season (off-peak travel is getting increasingly popular).
2. How do I prepare for a long flight? Let’s be honest. No one loves the long-haul flight itself – unless you’ve scored a seat in business class or need to catch up on your movies. But there are certainly ways to make the experience pleasant. Consider carefully if you want a window or aisle seat. It’s personal preference, but for anyone with long legs, we’d recommend the aisle or paying a bit more for a seat with extra legroom.
Start locally with a staycation or weekend getaway, then work your way up to a short regional trip (perhaps to the Indian Ocean Islands, Zanzibar or the like) and then, when you feel comfortable, take the plunge and embark on an international trip. “Guided holidays and cruises are great choices for first-time, solo and young travellers,” says Divan Viljoen, marketing campaign manager at Flight Centre’s Youth and Adventure brand. “They offer incredible peace of mind for travellers who may worry about being out of their comfort zone. “You will be travelling with like-minded people and have the added benefit of having experienced guides, tour leaders or crew to help you along the way. Cruises and guided holidays usually include all the on-trip essentials so it’s one less admin thing for first-time travellers to worry about.”
