Australian travel confidence returns

BTN News
Monday, 15 April 2024

A survey of 1,500 Australians indicates 70 per cent plan a holiday during the country's autumn school break, with 41 per cent intending to holiday intrastate (within their own state), 21 per cent interstate and eight per cent planning to go overseas.


But Tourism and Transport Forum ceo Margy Osmond said: "We’re concerned the sector is still feeling the impact of cost-of-living pressures, with many families taking shorter holidays than originally planned, staying with friends or relatives to save money or recently cancelling their travel plans altogether.” 

Meanwhile, travel agency chain Flight Centre says global airline capacity now is at more than 100 per cent of 2019 levels and customers are beginning to see lower air fares.

“Fares on some international routes out of Australia have dropped by up to 25 per cent,” said Flight Centre Corporate managing director Melissa Elf. 

“With more and more capacity and competition being introduced to the market, it’s a trend we’ll continue to see throughout the rest of the year.”

In the first quarter of 2024, tickets to Australia’s most popular travel destination - Bali in Indonesia - averaged 21 per cent less than the previous year at A$798 return and available seats were at 115 per cent of pre-pandemic capacity.

Capacity to Japan, Qatar and Papua New Guinea also were above pre-Covid levels, while the UK was at 100 per cent.
Routes to Hong Kong and the US have the biggest room for recovery, she said.

Australian travel confidence returns

BTN News
Monday, 15 April 2024

A survey of 1,500 Australians indicates 70 per cent plan a holiday during the country's autumn school break, with 41 per cent intending to holiday intrastate (within their own state), 21 per cent interstate and eight per cent planning to go overseas.


But Tourism and Transport Forum ceo Margy Osmond said: "We’re concerned the sector is still feeling the impact of cost-of-living pressures, with many families taking shorter holidays than originally planned, staying with friends or relatives to save money or recently cancelling their travel plans altogether.” 

Meanwhile, travel agency chain Flight Centre says global airline capacity now is at more than 100 per cent of 2019 levels and customers are beginning to see lower air fares.

“Fares on some international routes out of Australia have dropped by up to 25 per cent,” said Flight Centre Corporate managing director Melissa Elf. 

“With more and more capacity and competition being introduced to the market, it’s a trend we’ll continue to see throughout the rest of the year.”

In the first quarter of 2024, tickets to Australia’s most popular travel destination - Bali in Indonesia - averaged 21 per cent less than the previous year at A$798 return and available seats were at 115 per cent of pre-pandemic capacity.

Capacity to Japan, Qatar and Papua New Guinea also were above pre-Covid levels, while the UK was at 100 per cent.
Routes to Hong Kong and the US have the biggest room for recovery, she said.