In good news for travel advisors, 63 per cent of Australians are still planning international travel in the next 12 months; however, almost two-thirds of Aussies (63%) say rising costs impact travel plans – an economic concern that’s well above the global average of 44 per cent.
With Aussies looking for value when they travel, Expedia Group’s 2025 Traveller Value Index shows what matters most to consumers in the current global economic landscape.
According to the study, Australians are more price-driven than any other international market with low pricing ranked as the most important factor driving bookings across all travel categories, including air travel and car rentals.
Domestic road trips are also popular Down Under with Aussies outpacing the global average (32% versus 21%) as rising costs impact travel overseas.
A whopping 90 per cent of Aussies said they are also more likely to book with accommodation providers that consistently deliver great experiences and 72 per cent would book with a non-travel loyalty program, such as credit cards or retailers, to earn points.
Younger travellers, in particular, base their decisions around positive reviews for hotels, accommodation rentals, cruises, vehicle hire and activities.
They’re also more likely to be swayed by social media with 84 per cent of under-40s globally taking their travel recommendations from online influencers.
Aussies are also keen on travel perks and added bonuses, such as early check-in or late checkouts, streaming services and free, fast Wi-Fi, as rising costs impact travel budgets.
Globally, travellers are increasingly embracing bleisure trips, blending work and leisure, amid these shifting motivations and reasons for travel.
Expedia Group Chief Commercial Officer Greg Schulze said: “In today’s climate of economic and geopolitical uncertainty, understanding how travellers’ plans, preferences and values are shifting has never been more important.”
“What’s clear from this year’s data is that, despite these changes, the desire to travel remains a fundamental part of everyone’s lives.”
Read the full report here.
