INVESTING
INVESTING
South Africa’ s Top Markets:
• Cape Town remains the flagship destination, with demand from both domestic and international travellers, digital nomads, and seasonal tourists.
• Knysna & Plettenberg Bay( Garden Route): High lifestyle value, limited competition, and a growing eco-tourism segment make these towns strong bets.
• Durban beachfront: A hidden gem still underutilised by global tourists but growing in popularity due to warmer waters and affordability.
• Johannesburg’ s business districts: Executive and mid-stay travel is increasing, especially for remote employees mixing business and leisure.
Global High-Potential Cities:
• Lisbon: A remote work hub with lenient visa policies and high STR yields.
• Medellín: Known for year-round spring weather and booming expat appeal.
• Eastern European capitals( like Budapest and Sofia): Affordable entry points with rising tourist traffic.
• U. S. mountain towns( e. g., Asheville, Bozeman): Strong domestic tourism and high ADRs make these markets lucrative.
The sweet spot? Cities that offer lifestyle-driven travel, flexibility for longer stays, and a favourable regulatory environment.
48 REI MAGAZINE MAY 2025