The Australian travel bug is back – and there is two year’s worth of pent-up demand as

Australians bid to reclaim their sense of wanderlust. News Corp Australia’s latest Travel Trend Forecast unpacks what travellers are looking for – and how brands can meet what appears set to be a surge of late bookings.

The key stats

• 78 per cent of travellers are now confident in international travel.
• New Zealand is the top international destination (44 per cent) followed by the UK (37 per cent) and Fiji (34 per cent).
• 98 per cent of Australians say they are looking for an “affordable break” yet over 50 per cent are willing to pay more to ensure a safe and fun trip.
• 54 per cent of people planning an all-out trip are planning to be away for a minimum of three weeks.
• Over one in four travellers are looking to spend time in just one place and embrace local culture.
• People and purpose are at the forefront for younger generations with 35 per cent of millennials and 28 per cent of Gen Z looking for a conscious holiday.

The key trends

1. Dollars and sense
   Value is increasingly important for Australian travellers due to cost of living pressures, but they still aren't willing to scrimp on safety and security. The majority of Australians are looking for an affordable trip where they can really relax.
    
2. Make it meaningful
   More than ever, Aussies are looking for purpose when they travel. This may come in the form of self-care holidays, digital detoxes, immersion in local culture and booking places with sustainable practices. It’s about having more than just a holiday; it’s about having a defining experience.
     
3. Good thrill hunting
   Australians are ready to celebrate and go-all out now that travel has become easier, and it’s the youth who are the keenest to get out there and travel for an extended period of time. They want to make the most of their holiday, by planning to stay for longer and spend more than the average.
    
4. Young free and keen to mingle
   Gen Z are the keenest to travel, being the most planned and prepped of any generation. They want to explore with a big, all-out trip involving multiple friends and they aren’t as concerned about cost or value than other generations. 

International intention grows, intrastate travel declines, interstate flat
Australians’ intention to travel is back with over 50 per cent of Australians planning to take a holiday in the next three months, however 52 per cent are yet to book anything. 
The growing interest in booking international travel is largely driven by Gen Z and full-time workers, who feel they deserve a break and want to make up for lost time.
Overall, New Zealand and the UK remain the top international destinations for Australians. Demographically, the UK is the top destination for Gen Z, with over one in four planning a trip there in the next two years. 
The UK is also the most popular destination for singles and couples, tied in first place with New Zealand.  
Domestically, motivations remain traditional with travellers mainly wanting four main experiences: sightseeing, quality time with family and friends, beach and coastal experiences, and seeing historical sites.

Value is important, more so for older generations
Good value and lowest price are core considerations for many Australians looking to book their next trip, having doubled in importance since the previous research six months ago. As cost of living pressures mount this will continue to rise. Right now, 70 per cent of Gen X is just looking to travel somewhere affordable where they can relax. By providing a seamless, hassle-free booking experience that demonstrates real value, brands can win loyalty and best accommodate these travellers. 

Younger people: aiming to go large
Gen Z are less concerned about financial and logistical challenges of travel, instead they have a desire to get away and explore, no matter the cost, as they plan to make up for lost time.
The next big trip is going to be a social one for Australia’s youth, with over one in three planning on booking trips with friends and large groups. Despite booking together, they are much less concerned with dollar value than other generations. Instead they are looking to go all out on a big trip.
They are much more likely to be looking for relaxation, self-care retreats and slow and healing sabbatical style holidays – and will turn to social media and travel influencers for their recommendations

With more than three quarters of the population now confident in overseas travel, Australians are clearly keen to get back out there – and there is immediate opportunity for brands that can service massive, short, medium and longer-term demand.

Get up-to-date travel insight here.