With more South Africans embracing “bleisure” than ever before, the 2026 calendar offers a strategic edge for business travellers looking to mix work with meaningful downtime.
According to Flight Centre Travel Group’s 2025 Global PR survey, 77% of South Africans have either combined business and leisure travel before or plan to do so in the future; a clear indication that “bleisure” is here to stay.
Herman Heunes, General Manager of Corporate Traveller South Africa, says the trend is gaining traction: “We’re seeing more clients planning travel around public holidays, combining meetings with family time or a too-rare break. This approach has dual benefits: it boosts employee morale and it’s good for the bottom line. Strategic planning means businesses are saving up to 20% on airfares and accommodation.”
As local and global travel continues to rebound, more South Africans are looking to make every journey count – whether travelling solo, as a family, or with a partner in tow.
The booking cheat code
Public holidays come around every year, but the real advantage lies in their predictability. The ideal booking window is six to eight weeks in advance, allowing companies and travellers to secure the best fares and flexible accommodation before demand – and prices – rise.
“Strategic booking around these holidays routinely delivers savings of 15-20% on flights and hotels,” says Heunes. “That applies whether it’s a solo business trip or a getaway for the whole family tagged on.”
Pro tip: Travellers who book client meetings for a Thursday or Monday surrounding a public holiday can transform a standard work trip into a four-day break, often with little or no increase in travel expenses. For organisations, that means lower incremental costs and happier, more productive staff.
How to maximise 2026’s public holidays: ideas for every traveller
April: Two Long Weekends to Customise
3 April (Good Friday) & 6 April (Family Day)
27 April (Freedom Day – Monday)
- For the family juggler: Complete meetings early, have the family arrive for a long weekend together. Ideal for local leisure escapes or regional breaks – from Cape beaches to bushveld stays.
- For the wellbeing traveller: Opt for high-impact workdays, then unwind at a wellness hotel or countryside retreat when the crowds thin out.
- For the tireless workaholic: Use the long weekend as built-in downtime (even if that just means clearing your inbox with a view).
- For the young couple: Schedule key work early in the week, then extend for a shared adventure—April’s positioning is also excellent for regional international trips (like Victoria Falls, Namibia, or Mauritius).
May: Workers’ Day Innovation
1 May (Friday, Workers’ Day)
- For the family juggler: After the week’s meetings, pivot to family time – especially with zoos, museums, or theme parks within easy reach.
- For the wellbeing traveller: Pair a short work week with three days of wellness-focused leisure.
- For the tireless workaholic: Close deals early Friday, then focus on guilt-free leisure activities.
- For the young couple: Enjoy a “workation”, both tackle remote work on Friday, and then explore the city together.
June: Winter Flexibility at its Finest
16 June (Youth Day – Tuesday)
- For the family juggler: Add Monday as leave to create a long winter break, merging business with cosy family stays.
- For the wellbeing traveller: Book a wellness workshop or nature break bridging work and holiday.
- For the tireless workaholic: The midweek holiday is perfect for a quiet catch-up or a one-day escape post-meeting flurry.
- For the young couple: Meet business objectives Monday, then explore local food or culture without dipping into either’s leave balance.
August: Recharge Mid-Year
9 August (Women’s Day observed Monday, 10 August)
- For the family juggler: Blend work with a family-friendly holiday – try a local safari lodge or staycation.
- For the wellbeing traveller: Women’s retreats and spa escapes are popular choices.
- For the tireless workaholic: Prioritise Friday output, then switch off (even just for a hike or reading session on Monday).
- For the young couple: This holiday is great for short-haul international escapes—Mauritius, Mozambique, or Botswana are all within reach for a memorable trip.
September: Spring’s Long Festival
24 September (Heritage Day—Thursday)
- For the family juggler: Add a day’s leave on Friday for a “culture and connection” weekend.
- For the wellbeing traveller: Embrace foodie tours or parkruns to recharge.
- For the tireless workaholic: Limit meetings to Thursday, then enjoy an actual break as spring arrives.
- For the young couple: Two days of meetings, followed by a two-day mini-break: Heritage Day’s Thursday slot is especially good for short international city breaks or cross-border escapes.
December: Finishing Well
16 December (Day of Reconciliation—Wednesday), 25 December (Christmas—Friday), 26 December (Day of Goodwill—Saturday)
- For the family juggler: Finish the year with family, combining year-end work with a built-in school holiday.
- For the wellbeing traveller: Schedule work and recovery deliberately – end 2026 rested, not burnt out.
- For the tireless workaholic: Close out annual commitments, then gift yourself a genuine digital switch-off for the holidays.
- For the young couple: Look for last-minute travel packages: the holiday period is peak for combining business with a significant slice of leisure.
Which public holiday is best for international business travel?
For trips beyond South Africa’s borders, April (post-Easter into Freedom Day), August (Women’s Day), and September (Heritage Day) are the standout windows. Each gives enough scope for international flights and extra days on either side, meaning a work trip to Gaborone, London, or Mauritius can easily transition into a richer, more meaningful journey.
Who pays? A quick guide
- Business covers: Flights, hotel nights for business, ground transport for official meetings, and standard meals.
- Traveller covers: Additional nights/days for leisure, family/partner travel, holiday excursions, and non-standard upgrades.
- Hybrid: Many companies let staff “top up” at the corporate negotiated rate for extra days – often a significant saving.
Heunes recommends clear communication and upfront approvals: “Transparency about who pays for what is key. It avoids confusion and means everyone gets the most value without surprises.”
Booking smarter for 2026
For anyone planning a big business win or a real rest in 2026, the message is simple: plan early, communicate your goals, and use the public holiday calendar as your framework. Travel can work for everyone – professionally and personally – if you’re strategic.
Ready to get the best of both worlds next year? 2026’s public holidays are lined up to help you do just that.
