- South Africa achieved a family sentiment score of 83.6 from 63,000 reviews
- Attractions scored 90.2 with Kirstenbosch leading at 95.5
- Families favoured penguins, marine life, beaches and open spaces
- Room, safety, cleanliness and accessibility scored lower than overall sentiment
- Short-term rentals outperformed traditional hospitality for family stays
South Africa has recorded a family sentiment score of 83.6 from more than 63,000 reviews covering the 12 months to 18 August 2026. Data Appeal analysis has shown that families account for 22.6pc of reviews analysed. Attractions have achieved a sentiment score of 90.2 led by Kirstenbosch at 95.5 and the V&A Waterfront at 95.1.
Families have favoured experiences involving penguins, marine life, open spaces and beaches. Boulders Beach scored 90.4 while the Two Oceans Aquarium achieved 92.0. Limpopo recorded family sentiment of 89.2 while the Eastern Cape scored 86.8 and Mpumalanga 86.1. Short-term rentals achieved family sentiment of 86.8 compared with traditional hospitality at 84.3.
Room sentiment scored 70.0 while safety scored 70.2 and cleanliness scored 69.0. Accessibility scored 44.5. Food scored 79.5 while breakfast achieved 80.4 and desserts 81.3. The data indicated opportunities for the industry to improve family-specific facilities and communication.
Data Appeal conducted the sentiment analysis covering the 12-month period preceding 18 August 2026 based on online review and sentiment data.
