It’s no secret that Australian travellers love East Asian destinations. With their fabulous food, wonderful (and predictable!) weather, beautiful beaches and countless cultures to explore, who wouldn’t? Did we mention the food? But a new study shows just how much we value a holiday to these hotspots.
The study by travel site Agoda found that the top ten most popular international holiday destinations among Australian families are all located in East Asia. Every one of them.
Topping the list is Bali, which continues its strong post-pandemic comeback.
The next most popular spots among Aussie families are Singapore, followed by Tokyo, Phuket and Bangkok.
Rounding out the top ten destinations abroad are Osaka, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City and Manila.
Polling over 14,000 family travellers from 12 markets including Australia, the survey reveals the top three things Aussie families love doing while on vacation are visiting landmarks, spending time in the outdoors, and relaxing on beaches – qualities many East Asian locales have in abundance.
Close … but a world away
“Australians’ curiosity for all things Asia has reached new heights as we increasingly recognise the region’s diversity and value,” Agoda Oceania country director Zsuzsanna Janos says.
“After stepping off a short flight from Australia to anywhere in Asia, families feel immediately immersed in a rich sensory experience that they simply don’t have at home. That’s the powerful drawcard Asia has – it’s close but feels a world away.”
While the region’s close proximity to Australia might be an incentive to visit, its affordability also cannot be ignored, especially given recent interest rate hikes and inflation in Australia. Aussies could also face the highest airfare rises in 2023.
Meanwhile, according to this study, the top Australian destinations for family holidays are the Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne, followed by Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
In January, another study shed some light on the main reasons why Aussies will holiday in 2023 – and there were five distinct motivating factors.
Late last year, Agoda revealed Japan as the number-one, most-searched destination globally.
