No deposit or credit card: New township travel pilot opens up holidays for South Africans
Image: Supplied
A new township-based travel initiative is aiming to make local holidays more accessible to South Africans who have traditionally been excluded from resort travel due to financial barriers.
Launched by Dream Hotels & Resorts in partnership with TUU Post, the pilot allows residents in Soweto, Alexandra and Katlehong to book curated holidays directly from local stores, without needing credit cards or large upfront payments.
Using stokvel contributions, flexible instalment options, and lay-by systems, the initiative is designed to accommodate a broader range of household budgets while supporting community-based businesses acting as booking agents.
According to Clyde Keevy, head of leisure sales at Dream Hotels & Resorts, the company is looking to grow its footprint across more communities in the country to further expand access to affordable local travel.
'We've created a model that allows South Africans in every corner of the country to enjoy their own land in the style and comfort synonymous with a Dream Hotels & Resorts experience,' Keevy said.
'Residents can walk into a local business and book a getaway without needing a credit card, long-term contract or a big upfront deposit, which makes all the difference for households managing tight budgets.'
The pilot is built on Dream Escapes, a "flexible, month-to-month vacation product that allows customers to accumulate travel credits over time, without the need for credit checks or binding contracts".
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"With more than R50 billion estimated to circulate annually through stokvels in South Africa, the culture of saving collectively and planning as a group aligns well with the Dream Escapes philosophy"
One of the first resorts onboard is the Blue Marlin All Inclusive Seascape in KwaZulu-Natal, offering bundled packages that include accommodation, meals and selected activities. A lay-by-style payment option, launched in partnership with LayUp, allows travellers to pay in smaller, interest-free instalments.
"While the township travel pilot initiative is still in early days, it's informed by insights from the repositioning of Blue Marlin, which was designed to attract younger, experience-hungry South Africans who are prioritising comfort, entertainment and value over high-end exclusivity."
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