The travel landscape is unlikely to change all that much in 2016, according to Wotif, with the weakening Aussie dollar failing to persuade most travellers to change their international travel plans.
The Wotif survey revealed that the Australian appetite for travel wouldn’t diminish in the new year, with over half of the respondents (53 percent) stating they would continue with their overseas holiday plans despite the dollar’s diminished value.
For the other 47 percent, the weakened dollar would see them either opting for a domestic holiday instead or shifting into “bargain hunting” mode for a good deal in a great value destination.
According to Wotif, New Zealand and Fiji (especially for families) would be providing the best bang for your buck in 2016. For somewhere closer to home, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Cairns in Queensland, as well as Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, and Western Australia’s Coral Coast will be popular this summer, according to Wotif.
The Wotif survey also found that more than one in five people would consider booking a flight and hotel package to save money on a holiday.
In terms of where Aussie travellers were looking to visit in 2016, the survey found that the USA topped most bucket lists, followed by New Zealand, Italy, Japan, Canada and Indonesia.
“With the USA featuring on many Aussie-traveller ‘bucket lists’ for 2016 we predict Hawaii, being so close and so affordable, will be a strong destination in the New Year.”
Kim Stockham, Wotif Spokesperson
It’s expected that one in three Australian will be in “holiday mode” before the year is out, according to the survey.
“Aussies love chasing the sun in summer, and the festive season is an incredibly popular time of year for people to switch on their out of office and switch off from work,” Ms Stockham said