Why We’ll Live Our Best Life In 2024
AUSSIES ARE eager to explore new destinations and embrace their best selves in 2024.
Looking for ways to bring their travel selves back home, 68 per cent of us want to be more like our holiday self in our day-to-day life.
Those were two of the key findings from Booking.com’s annual ‘Travel Predictions’, delving into the top trends and upcoming destinations set to dominate 2024.
Other key findings include:
- Over half (57 per cent) of Aussie travellers are leaving their holiday plans up to chance next year
- The far-reaching impact of climate change isn’t lost on Australian travellers, with 42 per cent saying it will impact the way they holiday next year
- Sustainability is at the forefront for many, as travellers seek to combine luxury with eco-friendly stays, with; nearly half (47 per cent) looking for accommodation with a wow factor in sustainability innovation
- The impact of the cost-of-living crisis is leading over half (54 per cent) of travellers to choose their destinations based on economic pressures
- Solo travel is still going strong, with half (50 per cent) of Australians considering venturing out on their own next year.
“Our 2024 Travel Predictions reflect the idea that travel is not a means to escape life, but instead a catalyst to live our best lives,” said Todd Lacey, Regional Manager of Oceania at Booking.com.
“Heading into a new year, Aussies are demonstrating a renewed sense of optimism when it comes to travel, looking for opportunities to reinvigorate and reinvent themselves, be it on international escapades or simply exploring their own backyard, to level up their day-to-day lives.”
More than 27,500 respondents across 33 countries and territories were polled (including 1,012 from Australia) for the research.
Surprise $7,000 Gift From Lady Luck
IT’S UNLIKELY to make much of a dent in his bank balance but Sir Richard Branson has given away more than $1million in free cruises.
The gift was made to 150 guests onboard a Virgin Australia flight from Melbourne to Hobart last month.
Each adult passenger received a $7,000 cruise on Resilient Lady during her summer sailings in Australia, the first new Virgin travel product to arrive Down Under since the launch of Virgin Australia in 2000.
Sir Richard made the offer during a surprise Facetime call over the plane’s PA system.
The flight was chosen to represent the same route Resilient Lady will sail on her maiden voyage from Melbourne on December 11.
“The foundations of Virgin Australia were about keeping the air fair and we’re proud to be taking that same mantra to the sea with Virgin Voyages,” said Sir Richard.
“We want to give Aussies the opportunity to have an affordable, stress-free holiday where they can take a well-earned break, have fun and get a dose of vitamin sea.”
Resilient Lady will dock in Australia for the first time on December 4 in Sydney, before heading to Melbourne. Sir Richard will be coming to Australia to celebrate the historic voyage.
CAMPAIGN PROMOTES TOP AUSSIE SPOT
SEVEN KEY international markets are being targeted in a new global trade campaign aimed at promoting one of Australia’s top holiday destinations.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) has launched the initiative for the ‘Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’ brand partnering with Expedia and Trip.com
The new global campaign is one of 20 the organisation is running utilising funding from the Federal Government’s $15 million International Tourism Recovery Program.
“TTNQ has never before had the funding to undertake such large-scale trade campaigns, enabling us to strengthen the region’s representation as a leading travel destination and boost conversion from our key international markets post-pandemic,” said John O’Sullivan, TTNQ Chair.
“This level of investment will drive the region’s recovery with the International Tourism Recovery Program funding already delivering more than $3 million in gross sales after just three trade campaigns in Japan which ran from June to July.”
Mark Olsen, TTNQ Chief Executive, said the campaign activity was closely aligned with Tourism and Events Queensland’s international initiatives.
“Partnering with influential brands like Expedia and Trip.com will ensure our region is penetrating a highly competitive travel marketplace and leveraging Tourism and Events Queensland’s activity,” he added.
“The Trip.com partnership will be live in the United Kingdom, China, Singapore and Japan at various times until May 2024, while the Expedia partnership will target the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, Canada and New Zealand.”
tourism.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au
OUR ‘YOOF’ LOVES THE FLYING KANGAROO
IT SEEMS young Aussies are far more forgiving than their older counterparts with a new survey revealing Qantas as their most trusted airline.
The annual survey asked more than 5,000 Gen Z (aged 11-26) travellers to rank their favourite airlines in the Australian market.
It was undertaken by StudentUniverse, the world’s largest student and youth travel marketplace.
Young Australian travellers voted for Qantas as the ‘most trusted airline’ with 24% of the vote as well as the ‘best domestic airline’ with a 44% share.
Virgin Australia and Jetstar were respectively second and third in the domestic airline category.
“This year’s results for ‘most trusted airline’ in the Australian market are welcome news for Qantas given recent media stories and show how the airline has never wavered in its focus on providing an exceptional service for Australian students and youth,” said Steven de Blois, Global Managing Director at StudentUniverse.
Virgin Australia was voted ‘best service airline’ (18%) with Jetstar second (16%) followed by Qantas (13%). Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Rex were voted as the ‘best value airlines’.
When flying internationally, Gen Z consider Singapore Airlines the best airline followed by Emirates and then Qantas.
“It’s remarkable to see the increasing importance of Gen Z travellers in shaping the airline industry,” said Mirza Smajic, Vice President of Global Air Supply at StudentUniverse.
“It’s an exciting time for airlines to adapt and evolve to meet the needs and expectations of this discerning generation.”
StudentUniverse is an online travel agency that offers exclusive discounts on flights, hotels and other travel essentials to students and young adults.
