Mauritius to Mars: Travel destinations South Africans Googled most in 2020

Google revealed the most commonly searched travel destinations by South Africans this year in its annual report with Mauritius coming out tops.

This year was one which many people would like to forget. It was a year many of us spent at home, overcome with cabin fever. Being cooped up at home, over several months of lockdown led to yearnings of escaping to exotic places, both near and far.

While locked up inside the familiar four walls of home, many South Africans yearned to be elsewhere, when they were required to spend almost every moment of the day and night in their homes.

‘Trip to’ searches show itchy feet

Restrictions on movements created a desire and an eagerness to travel. South Africans appear to have some interesting destination choices.

Google’s Year in Search Report for 2020 shows the most common destination searches in South Africa beginning with the words “Trip to”.

ALL ABOARD FOR TRIP TO MARS?

Image: Adobe Stock

South Africans love spending time near the sea, whether it is on an exotic island or just plain old Durban.

A surprise destination that users searched for, was the planet Mars. Given the strange times we are living in, a trip to another planet would be totally understandable since life there might represent more normality than life on Earth at present.   

TOP 10 TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR 2020

The Indian Ocean island paradise of Mauritius tops the list, with Durban taking second place. Ever-popular Thailand came in third. Neighbouring Mozambique with its pristine beaches and idyllic islands, comes in next. Surprise entry Mars comes in at No 6.   

Image: Adobe Stock

Top 10 trending travel destinations for 2020 according to Google searches:

1. Mauritius
2. Durban
3. Thailand
4. Mozambique
5. Hawaii
6. Mars
7. Singapore
8. Bali
9. Jamaica
10. Zanzibar

Also Read: Elon Musk tweets ‘Mars, here we come’ after Starship’s fiery explosion