Travel planning trends show 75 per cent of Australians are eyeing winter getaways, but more are delaying bookings and seeking expert advice amid rising costs and uncertainty.
Aussie travellers are taking a more considered approach to winter holidays in 2026 with Skyscanner travel planning trends revealing strong intent but slower booking behaviour.
New research shows 75 per cent of Australians are planning domestic or international winter escapes, yet only 24 per cent have booked so far, as 51 per cent navigate global uncertainty and decision fatigue.
This shift is driving more travellers to seek expert guidance and simplified tools, reinforcing the role of travel advisors as trusted professionals in the planning journey.
Skyscanner’s The Winter Sun Report indicates travellers are moving away from peak seasons and traditional hotspots, instead favouring less-crowded locations that offer better value and flexibility.
For the 2026 winter holidays, cheaper escapes include Hamilton Island and Townsville in Queensland; Wellington (NZ); Puerto Princesa in the Philippines; Suva, Fiji; Chiang Mai, Thailand and Okinawa, Japan.
Cost remains the biggest concern with 50 per cent of travellers saying increased flight prices and travel expenses would make them reconsider their plans.
Crowd avoidance has also shifted from a preference to a planning prerogative with more than half of Aussies (54%) seeking out alternative and quieter destinations and 36 per cent planning to travel in off-peak or shoulder seasons.
However, almost one in five (18%) travellers’ winter travel planning is still constricted by fixed travel dates and school holidays with 32 per cent often compromising on time off.
Skyscanner travel expert Jarrod Kris said the travel planning trends research reflects a more considered way of travelling this winter.
“Australians aren’t abandoning travel in 2026 – they’re travelling smarter. We’re seeing Australians pause and think more carefully about what they want from a winter escape and shifting towards value-driven decisions,” he said.
“Over half of Aussies are still undecided or early in their planning but overall, 75 per cent have the urge to travel, which suggests there’s a real appetite for inspiration, reassurance and deals that help people feel confident locking something in.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: Skyscanner travel planning trends show intent is strong but confidence is wavering, giving advisors a bigger role in guiding decisions, simplifying choices and turning delayed demand into confirmed bookings.
