New research from Expedia Group has revealed a positive outlook for the Australian airline industry with travel searches taking off following extended border closures.
International travel accounts for the vast majority (80%) of Australian flight searches:
According to the data, in the weeks after international border reopening dates were confirmed, the volume of international flight searches by Australian travellers increased by 10 per cent*1.
The top five destinations Australians are interested to visit first include:
- United States (15%)
- India (15%)
- United Kingdom (5%)
- Thailand (5%), and
- Canada (5%).
For trips next year (between May and October 2022), Italy replaces Thailand in the top five most-searched destinations by Australian travelers, with the ranking being: USA, UK, Italy, Canada and India.
James Marshall, Head of Account Management, Air Partnerships at Expedia Group said: “It’s most interesting to see the destination changes in line with the northern hemisphere’s summer. Key example being that we see Italy replacing Thailand on the top five list – an encouraging sign of optimism that Australian travellers are ready to get back to long-haul holiday habits in the second half of next year. Searches by Australian travellers for the United States and United Kingdom for their summer seasons also increased (5% and 10% respectively1).”
While domestic owns a smaller portion of flight search volume, its incline is more distinct1:
In fact, following the key announcements surrounding international border reopening, Expedia Group also saw domestic flight searches grow by more than 45 percent in the weeks following.
Queensland shines as a holiday destination, accounting for about 85% of flight searches from Sydney and Melbourne. A figure set to increase from the nation’s biggest departure cities from Melbourne and Sydney (an increase in searches of 45% and 20% respectively,)1, following official quarantine-free opening (17 December).
This sentiment of staying closer to home in the short term, with a view to travel long term, is reflective of Expedia Group’s most recent Traveller Value Index3
The report also revealed evidence that Australians are more motivated by having booking flexibility than good deals. Specifically, 31% valued a full refund, compared to near-half of that (16%) valuing a lower price.
James Marshall said: “Naturally, Australian travellers appear to be cautiously optimistic about border closures, but also, having spent so much time at home, almost a third have more budget to spend on travel this year than they did in 20203 – which may also explain the nation’s current lower focus on deals and pricing compared to booking security and flexibility. Airlines that best highlight refund, reschedule, and credit policies are likely to attract more travellers as air travel continues to take off both locally, and abroad.”
For further information about how traveller values have shifted this year, you can download Expedia Group’s Traveller Value Index here.
Expedia Group domestic and international flight searches between 13 October and 9 November 2021 for travel dates from 17 November 2021 through 31 March 2022
Top 5 searched international destinations November 2021 to April 2022
Expedia Group domestic and international flight searches between 13 October and 9 November 2021 for travel dates from 17 November 2021 through 31 March 2022
The Traveler Value Index surveyed 8,000 global respondents and was conducted in partnership with Wakefield Research
