Three in 10 affluent Aussies plan to spend more on travel in 2023, particularly with friends or family or on a cruise, according to a new YouGov Global Travel & Tourism report into post-pandemic luxury travel and high-end consumer behaviours.
The survey of more than 19,000 people in 18 markets particularly focused on the attitudes and behaviours of under-35 affluents, the audience shaping the future luxury travel landscape.
Affluent Australian travellers, defined as higher-income individuals earning higher than 200 per cent of the median, expect to spend more on holidays (30%) this year compared to last year.
Travelling with a wider group of friends and/or family saw the largest increase from the previous year (25% vs 21%) and 17 per cent more Aussie affluents plan to go on a cruise in the next 12 months.
They also plan to take longer holidays (25%) and tick off bucket-list destinations (22%) in the next 12 months.
These findings reflect recent surveys conducted by Luxury Escapes and Virtuoso into the travel predilections of high-net-worth travellers.
What luxury travellers really want
When looking at the factors that affluent travellers are looking for in their next destination, the report found that Australian respondents ranked great local attractions and amenities (41%), safety (35%) and new experiences (32%) as top priorities.
They also value 5-star service and lodging with quality luxury accommodations (27%) and quality services (28%) also important to this audience when choosing their next travel destination.
Surprisingly, personalised tailored experiences are a lower priority for Aussie affluents (9%) when travelling compared to global counterparts (12%).
The key takeaway for agents is visiting remote destinations and doing things few others can do resonate highly with affluent consumers.
Luxury travellers are looking for brands, experiences and travel companies that understand their individual needs and unique requirements and deliver those one-of-a-kind holidays and moments.
Read the full report here.
