IT SEEMS nothing can dampen Australian wanderlust with a new survey revealing 72 per cent of us are committed to travelling this year.
1Cover has just released its annual 2023-2024 Travel Index, providing a comprehensive overview of global travel trends, behaviours and the driving forces behind the holiday choices of Australians in 2024.
The research revealed some old favourites among our travel wish lists.
Bali took out top spot for overseas holidays followed by the USA, Fiji, the UK and Japan. Domestic travel numbers remained high, while numbers to France and Italy peaked during the European summer.
Revenge travel showed no sign of slowing down in 2023, with travel searches 1.6 times higher than pre-pandemic levels. According to 1Cover data, at least 72% plan on travelling in 2024 with more than half (52%) saying they plan to travel more than they did in 2023.
Those surveyed said they were giving up meals out, takeaway coffees, clothing purchases and streaming subscriptions to save up for their next holiday. Almost nine out of 10 also said that ‘finding the most cost-effective option’ was of number one importance when booking a trip (84%).
2024 Predictions
- Individuals will seek personalised experiences with solo travel continuing to surge
- Traditional hotspots Bali and Fiji will maintain popularity while visitor numbers to Japan, Costa Rica and Peru are predicted to rise
- Cruise popularity will continue to soar with the industry evolving and increasingly appealing to a broader demographic
- This year will also witness a rise in spend-savvy travel, emphasising budget-conscious decisions
- Peak travel times are likely to shift, with mid-year tourism surpassing end-of-year travel, driven by a desire to avoid crowds and favourable off-peak season pricing
- Adventure holidays are predicted to rise with a spike in adventure activity cover purchases.
“This report not only reflects the resilience of the Australian travel industry but also outlines key considerations that will shape the travel landscape in the coming year,” said Natalie Ball, Managing Director of 1Cover.
“It’s clear Australians are prioritising travel despite financial hardships and challenges.”
500 holiday deals to be done
A NEW marketing campaign has just been launched offering more than 500 deals on tourism experiences in Queensland.
The promotion is designed to boost the visitor economy in the state following severe weather conditions.
Run by Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), the incentive will run until March 31 across social media, display, broadcast video on demand, YouTube, radio and print media.
Some of the best deals include a week in the Whitsundays for $999, two for one with Queensland Rail and 30 per cent off Gold Coast Aqua super passes. There are also discounted stays, money-off experiences and kids stay and eat free offers.
“Whether it is enjoying four nights for the price of three at the Crocodile Hunter Lodge, saving $130 per family on a Lady Musgrave experience or kids staying and eating free at Kingfisher Bay Resort, these deals won’t last long and will be a huge boost to Queensland’s visitor economy and the 200,000-plus Queenslanders whose jobs rely on tourism,” said Michael Healy, Minister for Tourism.
texas link coming down under
AMERICAN AIRLINES will launch its second direct flight to Australia later this year.
The carrier will fly between Brisbane and Dallas–Fort Worth from October 27, offering Aussie travellers greater opportunities to explore the United States, Canada and Latin America.
“We’ve had an incredible response from travellers looking to venture to North America and beyond from Australia, so we’re excited to be further strengthening our Asia-Pacific footprint as we add sunny Queensland to our growing list of destinations,” said José Freig, Vice President International Operations.
“With our new route and our partnership with Qantas, we hope to open-up the world even more to customers.”
The new service aboard a Boeing 787-9 will depart Brisbane at 10am and arrive in DFW at 8:20am. It will be the longest nonstop flight in the airline’s network.
Meanwhile Jetstar will significantly boost international low fare seats in southeast Queensland with new flights taking off between Brisbane and both Seoul and Osaka.
Using its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Jetstar will operate three return flights a week between Brisbane and Seoul (Incheon) and four weekly return flights from Brisbane to Osaka (Kansai).
big sale equals big savings from ttc
AGENTS CAN pass on large savings to their clients with the launch of the Big Tour Sale from TTC Tour Brands.
Among the savings featured is 15% to 20% off select worldwide tours with Trafalgar, winner of the People’s Choice Award at the 2023 NTIA Awards.
Savings of up to 20% are available on a range of Trafalgar’s worldwide tours, including new trips just added, such as ‘Northern Spain’, ‘Best of Hawaii’ and ‘Northern Italy including Cinque Terre’.
Insight Vacations offer small-group itineraries around the world, some now offering up to 20% off. New tours have been added recently to the sale including ‘Flavours of Europe’, ‘Treasures of Italy’ and ‘European Discovery’.
Savings on worldwide tours with Costsaver are also on offer, with 15% to 20% per cent off such favourites as ‘European Cavalcade’, ‘European Experience’ and the ‘Iberian Explorer’.
TTC Tour Brands has also unveiled a new eLearning course for agents covering its five brands: Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki. Each module offers a time efficient, short and sweet overview of each brand.
“This easy-to-use platform de-mystifies multi-day touring, taking the complexity out of selling so that agents can convert with ease, boosting average revenue and creating high yielding, repeat clientele,” said Toni Ambler, Managing Director of TTC Tour Brands.
Travel agents can view all offers, find marketing collateral and book on the TTC Travel Agent Portal.
new brochure speaks the entire truth
ENTIRE TRAVEL Group’s debut brochure for its new escorted European group touring program has arrived in Australia.
The company’s exclusive Entire Group Journeys program has slashed the typical price per-day of a European tour while still delivering guaranteed departures and centrally located four/five-star properties.
Operated by one of Europe’s largest and most-respected travel companies, the tours take a maximum of 24 passengers (along with English-only guides) on high-quality itineraries that incorporate relaxed two- or three-night city stays.
The new 82-page brochure features 33 of Entire Group Journey’s itineraries and nine destinations: Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Morocco, Turkey, Jordan and Egypt.
“The brochure is also specially designed to be used in conjunction with the Entire Group Journeys section of our website,” said Greg McCallum, Sales & Marketing Director.
“By entering the relevant tour codes found in the brochure directly into the website search engine, agents can quickly retrieve full itinerary details.”
To order the 2024/2025 Entire Group Journeys brochure, click here.
come chat to a viking
VIKING HAS opened registration for its information sessions for travel agents across the country.
The complementary Explorer Sessions provide an opportunity for agents and clients to find inspiration for their next voyage and learn more about the company’s award-winning river, ocean and expedition journeys across seven continents.
“Based on feedback from guests and agents, we have added several new sessions to the 2024 agenda,” said Michelle Black, Viking Managing Director ANZ.
“Our Introduction to Viking session is perfect for those new to Viking, covering the difference between our ocean, river and expedition voyages and what life is like on board.”
Locations include:
- Sydney – February 27, The Fullerton Hotel
- Melbourne – February 29, The Ritz-Carlton
- Adelaide – March 7, Hilton Adelaide
- Brisbane – March 12, Convention & Exhibition Centre
- Gold Coast – March 14, Hilton, Surfers Paradise
- Perth – March 21, Crown Perth.
