After years of COVID-related travel restrictions, Aussies are well and truly ready to travel again, with 97% saying they will take at least one trip abroad this year in a Skyscanner survey.
However, as most Australians who’ve caught a domestic or international flight in the last year know, flight prices have ridden since pre-pandemic times, largely due to the heightened cost of fuel. For this reason, 33% of respondents to SkyScanner’s survey said they will aim to go somewhere where their currency goes further.
With Aussies looking for the best bang for their buck this travel season, considerations such as cost of flights, insurance, and seat selections are top of mind. As the cost of living rises, destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam are becoming attractive options for those looking to stretch their money further.
For many, the primary reason for travelling remains to reconnect with friends and family. However, with the pandemic taking a toll on everyone’s mental health, relaxation is also high on the agenda, with many Aussies looking to take solo trips for their wellness.
Social media is also playing a huge role in inspiring Aussies to travel, with friends and family being the number one source of travel inspiration. This has lead to some lesser–known destinations such as Mexico City and Amman, Jordan gaining in popularity thanks to their interesting architecture.
Finally, sustainable travel has grown in importance, with more and more travellers prioritising sustainable options over convenience and comfort. So, if you’re looking to travel this season, it pays to be conscious of your environmental impact – your wallet and the planet will thank you.
Skyscanner’s Aussie Travel Expert, Jarrod Kris, says that despite the heightened living costs at the moment, Aussies are still interested in travelling internationally.
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“Even though there is an increasing pressure on cost of living, the aftermath of a pandemic has made travellers look for ways to make up for lost time and create new experiences and memories, with international travel remaining a priority for Australians,” said Kris.
“Aussies have become savvier to the value of post-pandemic time away. The squeeze on personal spending has shown that while consumers are committed to travel, they are increasingly shopping around and placing more value on extras such as insurance. The year looks set to be a year of discoveries as emerging destinations come to the fore.”
For more on this topic, follow the Travel Observer.
