Summer is right around the corner! As Aussies begin to peel off their sweaters to put back into storage and get ready for the bright summer sunshine, Tripadvisor’s Summer Travel Index released today shows that Aussies are eager to get away, with nearly three-quarters (71%) set to travel between December 2022 and February 2023.
The final instalment of Tripadvisor’s Seasonal Travel Index for 2022, based on a combination of Tripadvisor’s first party search and proprietary consumer sentiment data, reveals that globally, travel shows no signs of abating. Despite the annual consumer price index inflation in Australia reaching its highest in more than three decades, nearly half of Aussie survey respondents (47%) indicated that they will be spending more on their Summer vacation this year than last year.
Ho-ho-holidays! Many Aussies kicking off their summer with Christmas trips
When it comes to Aussies, half (50%) are planning to travel more than this time last year, especially around the festive holidays. Much like the rest of the world, Christmas week seems to be the most popular week for travel as travellers look to wind down at the end of a crazy hectic year and recharge for the one ahead. 27th December is set to be the busiest day for travel out of Australia.
Festive time = Family time
As we get to the end of a crazy hectic year for most, the main purpose of Aussies and their summer trips are to reunite with family – more than half (52%) responded with ‘making memories with friends and family’ as their main holiday purpose, with ‘rest/rejuvenate’ and ‘escape from the daily routine’ coming in at 48% each.
When it comes to the most exciting components of a trip, the Tripadvisor Spring Travel Index revealed that the top three picks for Aussies are: scenery (57%), food (49%) and activities (45%). A quarter (26%) have already booked an on-trip activity ahead of their trip.
Australians staying domestic but air travel still preferred
Travellers globally are favouring domestic trips (57%), and even more so in Australia with nearly three-quarters (72%) looking to stay domestic this Summer. With a ton of beautiful Summer holiday destinations available right on their doorstep, nearly two-thirds of Aussie respondents (59%) are planning to travel between 1-6 hours to get there. More than half (53%) will get to their destination by plane.
Looking to destinations increasing in popularity, Australians are also starting to look at destinations that are newly opened up to tourists again. Japan seems to be a hot favourite, having recently announced its reopening – Chuo in Osaka, Shinjuku in Tokyo and Hakone-machi make it into the top 10 fastest growing global destinations for travel this summer.
Top Trending Destinations for Summer
Fastest growing based on year over year growth; Dates of travel searched on Tripadvisor Dec 1, 2022 – Feb 28, 2023
Domestic Destinations
Mascot, New South Wales
Melbourne, Victoria
Sydney, New South Wales
Ettalong Beach, New South Wales
Adelaide, South Australia
Launceston, Tasmania
Brisbane, Queensland
Albury, New South Wales
Main Beach, Queensland
Fremantle, Western Australia
International Destinations
Chuo, Japan
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Reykjavik, Iceland
Da Nang, Vietnam
Hakone-machi, Japan
Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia
Shinjuku, Japan
Tanjung Benoa, Indonesia
Ao Nang, Thailand
Legian, Indonesia
Top-rated Summer Experiences
Most booked by Australian travellers on Tripadvisor Dec 1, 2022 – Feb 28, 2023
Domestic Experiences
Gordon River Cruise departing from Strahan
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns
Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Full-Day Snorkeling Cruise by High-Speed Catamaran
Bruny Island Day Tour, Includes Lunch and Exclusive Lighthouse Tour
Whitsundays Guided Jet Ski Tour
International Experiences
Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour, Cruise & Picnic Lunch from Queenstown
Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour
Authentic Fijian Day Cruise – Cruisin Fiji – best day in Fiji
Luxury Boat to James bond islands with lunch and sunset dinner
Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour with Superior Transport from London
