This holiday season, explore SA's platteland and experience small-town hospitality!

Have you made plans to go places in South Africa this holiday season?

While the obvious choice is usually the coast, with the Western Cape and Durban leading the popularity stakes, why not spend time in the less explored parts of our country, suggests the MD of Vantage Advisory.

In an article for TimesLIVE, Luncedo Mtwentwe calls on holidaymakers to discover the hidden gems of SA, and so doing, give those localised economies a boost.

While we love travelling, we just don’t do staycations justice, he remarks.

"If you want to experience the beauty of South Africa, the true essence of ubuntu; small towns are some of the places that will give you that authentic experience", he says in conversation with Stephen Grootes.

Some of the many examples he cites are the beautiful towns on the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape, and in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

"The locals appreciate you - when you book there, the next day everyone knows your name, checks up if you slept well... and that's what South Africa is about."

Mtwentwe also highlights the multiplier effect of our tourism rands.

During last year’s festive season, he says, South Africans are estimated to have spent more than R220 billion on local holidays and experiences.

Every rand you spend creates a ripple of opportunity through the local economy, while you enjoy the benefits of "low crime and high hospitality".

"Every meal at a family-run restaurant, every night in a guesthouse, and every locally crafted souvenir is an investment, creating a stronger, more sustainable tourism economy for South Africa."

So, if your December holiday plans are not yet set in stone, consider swapping the predictable for the personal to explore the lesser-visited landscapes and small towns near you.

Scroll up to the audio player to hear more from Mtwentwe and click here to read about his destination suggestions