A recent survey by Byron Bay-based online Travel Group TripADeal has found that Aussie travellers are itching to return to the skies, and they intend to spend up big when they do.
The survey was conducted over a two week period from 14th to 31st May 2020, with more than 16,500 people throughout Australia responding to the online questionnaire.
TripADeal created the survey to gauge the mood of Australian travellers and get us thinking about the days when we can once again travel freely across our country and the globe.
More than half of the respondents (50.3%) said they intend to travel overseas as soon as the Australian government says it’s safe to do so, while 33.4% plan to wait for a vaccine, and 16.2% are listening out for the World Health Organisation (WHO) to announce the virus is mostly contained.
“We’ve been absolutely blown away by the response from our travellers,” TripADeal co-founder Richard Johnston says. “It shows we’re a nation of travel lovers and keen to get out and explore as soon as we can.”
Among the findings, 33.2% of respondents said they planned to return to normal travel habits within 1-6 months, followed by 28.6% who said they’ll likely resume in 6-12 months.
Pending the Trans-Tasman bubble between Australia and New Zealand, which will likely be the first taste of over travel for many of us sometime in September, the adventure capital of Queenstown (35.9%) and the glittering harbour city of Auckland (33.5%) stand to be the winners across the ditch.
It’s not just overseas destinations we’re looking to explore though – our great southern land is in for a big boost in domestic tourism, particularly the more extreme corners of the country.
Broome and the Kimberley (32.9%) were at the top of the domestic wish list, narrowly beating the apple isle of Tasmania (32.4%). Balmy Tropical North Queensland (31.9%) came a close third.
“So many of us talk about exploring Australia, but few of us actually follow through with it. Now is the time to do it,” Johnston says. “It’s time to tick off the great Australian bucket list.”
In good news for domestic tourism operators, who have felt the effects of coronavirus more than any others, 34.2% of respondents said they plan to spend between $2500 – $5000 on their next trip.
Here’s what they found.
Once restrictions are lifted, where do you plan to travel in the next 12 months?
- Domestically (38.5%)
- Internationally (25.9%)
- Both (35.6%)
Once restrictions are lifted, how long until you return to normal travel habits?
- Straight away (18.2%)
- 1 – 6 months (33.2%)
- 6 – 12 months (28.6%)
- 12 – 18 months (15.7%)
- Longer (4.4%)
How much do you want to spend per person on your next holiday?
- $2500 – $5000 (34.2%)
- $1000 – $2500 (34.1%)
- $5000 or more (17.2%)
- $500 – $1000 (11.9%)
- $500 or less (2.6%)
Which Australian destinations do you want to visit in the next 12 months?
- Broome & Kimberley (32.9%)
- Tasmania (32.4%)
- Tropical North Queensland (31.9%)
- Perth (22.9%)
- Top End (22.9%)
- Melbourne (20.9%)