Millennials are opting for domestic getaways this autumn, with the rising cost-of-living forcing them to seek out more affordable options closer to home. The trend is not surprising, given the growing popularity of domestic travel in recent years. Australians are increasingly looking to staycation options, with 83 per cent of those aged 25-44 booking an autumn escape, according to a Tourism and Transport Forum survey.
The PureProfile survey of 1509 Australians found that millennials are travelling more than anyone else, from mid-March to mid-May. Experts point to pent-up demand for a getaway after the pandemic, along with travel operators changing their offers to accommodate budget-conscious customers.
“It’s not negotiable, this whole issue of being able to take time off and escape has become embedded in the culture,” said Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond. “We saw very early on an attitude about revenge travel, I think that led to a change in traveller behaviours.”
- Survey Findings
| Destination | Percentage of International Travellers |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 14 per cent |
| Europe | 13 per cent |
| Japan | 12 per cent |
“People that were going domestic are now going overseas,” said Helloworld Travel chief operating officer Cinzia Burnes. “Before COVID-19 travel was seen as a discretionary expense and I think now it’s become part of the household budget.”
People are finally used to the idea of international travel after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with airfares coming down. As a result, many Australians are taking advantage of the less busy spring and autumn periods to travel overseas.
- New Zealand remains the top foreign destination for Australian travellers, with 14 per cent of international travellers heading across the Tasman.
- Europe comes in second, with 13 per cent of international travellers heading to the continent.
- Japan is the third most popular destination, with 12 per cent of international travellers heading to the Asian nation.
The trend is not limited to millennials. The survey also found that people are taking advantage of the proximity of Easter and ANZAC Day public holidays, which are less than a week apart, to travel overseas. Many are opting for a longer weekend getaway to make the most of their time off.
Overall, almost one in six Australians are heading overseas, close to double the number who jetted off this time last year. Australians are increasingly looking to staycation options, with the rising cost-of-living forcing them to seek out more affordable options closer to home.
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