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Cape Town - The internet is like a universe of knowledge, accessible within seconds by anyone able to press a touch-screen button, and this in-depth, detailed and easily accessible information has changed the way in which we live.
More specifically, it's changed the way in which South Africans travel, and it's made planning our travels and documenting them vastly different than ever before.
As the following infographic suggests, South African holidaymakers are no longer as reliant on booking agents as they once were, with 60% of SA travellers researching, planning and booking their own holidays with the help of the web.
In the past, like with the 1995 IRB World Cup Final for example, you had to book tickets via a booking agent in the nearest town, and not via an online queue...
Now, nearly all major events and tourist attractions have online booking and check-in services, and there are no more round-the-block queues.
Travellers' experiences are better too as weak hotels and travel services are named and shamed on respected online reviewers' sites, like Tripadvisor.
According to the survey done by IAB.SA, travellers have also become more spontaneous, with most people only planning and booking their holidays via the internet about a month before they take off.
The results also show a strong preference for Self-Catering stays at 58%, followed by 42% choosing to stay in B&Bs and Guesthouses, with hotel stays coming in third with 37%.
(Click here to view a larger, zoom-able version of this infographic)
According to the survey done by IAB.SA, travellers have also become more spontaneous, with most people only planning and booking their holidays via the internet about a month before they take off.
IAB.SA is an association of a group of independent, non-profit volunteers working on growing and sustaining a vibrant and profitable digital industry within South Africa.
Traveller24 reported last week, however, of how the domestic tourism stats indicate that South Africans are doing less travelling than usual, perhaps due to South Africa’s top attractions being too expensive for local tourists.
See: 'SA domestic travel is just too expensive’
Robben Island, for example, recently announced that it will be increasing its ticket prices as of 1 June 2015, from the current R280 for adults to R300 ; and children under 18 will pay R160. Based on these new prices, a family of four (Parents and two children) would end up paying R920 for the outing.
See: Robben Island announces fare increase, commences off peak tour schedule
In a poll run on News24 in which more than 18 000 people responded, the overall response with 13 656 votes, is that the new cost is exorbitant.
What do you think of the cost of travel and tourism activities in South Africa? Please share your photos and travel experiences with us at info@traveller24.com or post them on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts - you could be featured on News24.
