With the pandemic limiting Australians to local trips and getaways between lockdowns, comparison website Canstar Blue has revealed Cairns as the top rated domestic holiday destination in its Customer Satisfaction Awards for 2021.
Out of over 2,000 people surveyed, holiday makers in Cairns were the most satisfied, rating the Far North Queensland city highest based on overall satisfaction as well as its people and culture, value for money, accommodation, ease of getting around, food and beverage options available, and things to do.
Canstar Blue’s Home and Lifestyle expert Megan Birot says, “It’s not hard to see why people love Cairns – it has beautiful beaches, heritage-listed rainforests, and is the gateway to the iconic Great Barrier Reef.”
“Darwin came a close second, followed by the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, and Hobart, but what was especially interesting to see was that there were five Queensland cities and regions in the top ten Aussie destinations – Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, The Whitsundays, and Brisbane.”
When it comes to the pandemic, 41% Australians admitted to postponing booking an interstate holiday fearing lockdown cancellations, while 29% only holidayed in their own state or region to avoid the risk of having to cancel.
“The good news is that while people were forced by lockdowns to clip their wings, almost one third – 29 percent – really enjoyed exploring their own country. In fact, one in four Australians said they prioritised travelling in Australia even before the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Birot.
Travel satisfaction levels were high, as three in four Australians indicated that they would recommend the place they visited to friends and family.
“Visiting friends, family, and relatives is the top reason for domestic travel, but enjoying the weather, beaches, food, and culture of other regions remain popular reasons for travel,” says Birot.
Only 23% choose to stay at a friend or family member’s home when travelling to another city or region however, as hotels remain the most popular (41%) accommodation type. Other common living arrangements for domestic travellers include Airbnb and other lodging services (13%), motels (9%), camping or caravan parks (7%), and hostels (3%).
Other information:
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Canstar Blue recommends comparing car hire providers as one in five Australians used a hire car during their domestic travels
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The average domestic traveller spends $1,637 on their trip and the most common length of recent domestic holidays is 3-4 nights
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Majority (45%) of Australians travel with a partner or spouse.
