If the pandemic has taught Australians and New Zealanders one thing, it’s that they want to take more holidays more often, according to a new survey conducted by Tasman Holiday Parks.
The survey of holidaymakers which gauged the opinions of guests across Tasman’s properties in January and February this year has revealed more than two thirds of Aussies and Kiwis believe they don’t take enough breaks every year. However, it further shows that this is about to change, and the domestic markets in Australia and New Zealand are poised to be the big winners.
The survey found that since COVID, more Australians and New Zealanders prefer to travel closer to home and more often.
The overwhelming majority of the respondents now plan to take more than one holiday a year, with most of them considering four breaks or more annually. And rather than the lure of international destinations, most of the respondents want to discover new adventures near their own backyard.
The survey revealed that 72 per cent of respondents prefer to take a drive holiday to escape their local surrounds, compared with 21 per cent who prefer to fly to their preferred holiday destination. For 78 per cent of the respondents, their ideal escape is located three hours or more from home.
Coastal locations remain top of the list for just over half the holidaymakers surveyed, but 40 per cent of all respondents surveyed said they didn’t care where they went, as long as it gave them a chance to relax and break their day-to-day routine.
“Our survey provides new insight into the boom we’ve experienced in the drive holiday market since the pandemic,” said Tasman Holiday Parks CEO Nikki Milne.
“More importantly, it shows that we’re not going to see that trend changing any time soon. Although almost all of our respondents have returned to normal working and living conditions, the pandemic has awoken a new desire in them to get into their car to discover new destinations. Holidaymakers are now eager for more time away – and more often.”
Some 69 per cent of respondents believe they don’t take enough breaks with the family every year. The survey has found an overwhelming majority of holiday makers, or 86 per cent of those surveyed, plan to take more than one holiday per year and 30 per cent of respondents expect to take four or more holidays.
“Holidaymakers have shown the reason for taking more breaks is a desire to disconnect from their local surrounds,” said Ms Milne. “We all know that holidays improve general mental health and social wellbeing, so our survey provided valuable research into the importance people place on finding time for short getaways with the family.”
Ideally, holidaymakers say they prefer to take a break of at least five days and ideally up to two weeks, which compares to the most common break of two to three nights at present.
“We’re proud to be creating destinations that appeal to more holidaymakers who are seeking unique getaways in idyllic locations across Australia and New Zealand,” said Ms Milne. “There’s so much to discover with every new adventure.”
Tasman Holiday Parks is the fastest growing owner, developer and operator of holiday parks across Australia and New Zealand. The group currently operates more than 3,000 sites from 25 properties that welcome more than 325,000 guests a year.
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