Cost-of-living battle is changing how we holiday
Aussies battling the cost-of-living crisis are desperately holding on to their holiday plans – but where they’re travelling to is changing.
Data from travel platforms Expedia and Stayz, released on Thursday, found a host of local destinations emerging as new favourites as Australians curtailed travel plans to meet their budgets.
The so-called “heartland holiday” destinations include spots that lack ocean views “but make up for it with plenty of local culture and charm”, Expedia said.
“Interest for inland getaways is strong, made up of burgeoning foodie and wine towns, alongside mountain escapes from Canberra, ACT, to Blue Mountains, NSW,” the platform said.
It found more than half (nearly 57 per cent) of travellers had headed off on a holiday to a non-coastal destination in the past 12 months.
“The top driver for visiting landlocked locales is interest in the local culture, food, and art scenes, followed by a desire to explore off-the-beaten-path places, and affordability,” Expedia said.
Canberra was the No.1 beneficiary of the trend, with searches up 55 per cent in the past year. It is luring travellers with its national history and parliamentary landmarks, as well as nearby wine regions.
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Other spots with big increases in interest include Crackenback in the Snowy Mountains in NSW – up 45 per cent. It is popular for alpine adventures, skiing and mountain biking.
Not far behind is Mount Hotham, in the Victorian high country. Interest in its skiing, hiking and snow sports has jumped 40 per cent.
The other areas to make up Stayz “heartland holiday’s list are:
- Dubbo, NSW – up 20 per cent. Attractions: Safari-style zoo encounters, family adventures, outback experiences;
- Blue Mountains, NSW – up 20 per cent. Attractions: Bushwalking, scenic lookouts, small town adventures;
- Nannup, Western Australia – up 15 per cent. Attractions: Mountain biking, forest trails, artisan experiences including nearby wine tasting
- Hahndorf, South Australia – up 15 per cent. Attractions: Heritage charm, boutique shopping, German-inspired food and drinks;
- Southern Highlands, NSW – up 15 per cent. Attractions: Cool-climate wineries, country estates, garden touring
- Tamborine Mountain, Queensland – up 15 per cent. Attractions: Rainforest walks, galleries, cellar doors;
- Yarra Valley, Victoria – up 10 per cent. Attractions: Wine tasting, gourmet dining, hot-air ballooning
The Expedia data mirrors trends uncovered by industry body the Tourism & Transport Forum Australia. In July, it found a major drop in Australians planning a winter holiday, despite the appetite for travel being as strong as ever.
A national TTF Australia survey of 1000 people found just 54 per cent were planning a winter holiday – compared to 74 per cent two years ago.
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CEO Margy Osmond said the figures showed Australians still desperately wanted to travel, but many households were simply finding it harder to make it happen.
“Australians haven’t fallen out of love with travel. In fact, holidays remain the No.1 non-essential spending priority across every generation,” she said.
“But many families are having to make much tougher decisions about whether they can afford to get away.”
More than half of Australians (54 per cent) said cost-of-living pressures had affected their winter holiday plans. That included 16 per cent taking a shorter trip than originally planned, 15 per cent choosing a destination closer to home and 15 per cent cutting back on accommodation spending.
A further 13 per cent had postponed or cancelled a winter holiday altogether.
“Every decision to postpone or cancel a holiday has consequences that extend well beyond the traveller. It means fewer visitors staying in accommodation, dining in local restaurants, visiting attractions and supporting businesses in communities right around Australia,” Osmond said.
Queensland remained the most popular state, attracting 29 per cent of travellers, followed by Victoria (23 per cent) and NSW (22 per cent).
Europe remained Australians’ favourite overseas destination, followed by New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan.
Osmond said the changing destination rankings highlighted just how competitive the domestic visitor market had become.
“States are competing harder than ever for every visitor dollar, particularly while Australians remain cautious about discretionary spending,” she said.
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