New research from global travel search site, Skyscanner, has uncovered that while Aussie travellers consider themselves to be spontaneous when it comes to travel, the truth is that they’re actually meticulous planners at heart. In fact, a whopping 54% of Australians* have never booked a last-minute holiday, despite 70% of respondents claiming to be spontaneous travellers.

It’s not for lack of desire though, almost half of respondents (49%) claimed they want to be more spontaneous when it comes to travel, and although Skyscanner’s data revealed that in March this year, last minute bookings** accounted for over a quarter (25%) of all Aussie bookings, most (35%) are still planning far in advance at 90 days or more.

Acclaimed psychologist Emma Kenny shares that planning and spontaneity can go hand-in-hand, revealing that going with the flow is good for mental health.

“Spontaneity is clinically proven to reduce stress and increase levels of self-esteem, along with promoting contentment and harmony in close relationships”, shares Kenny.

While Kenny notes it may seem scary to just “pack a bag and hop on a plane”, the benefits are exponential.

“It creates a ‘can do’ attitude and will remind you of the limitless possibilities that are out there. Because you have no clear set agenda, plans, or expectations, every step you take will involve a sense of adventure which is truly freeing.”

The research supports this, with 80% of Aussies admitting to feeling positive when acting spontaneously, claiming they feel excited (40%), exhilarated (15%), happy (13%) and carefree (12%).

So, what does meticulous planning look like for Aussie travellers? According to Skyscanner’s research, it often involves setting up price alerts on travel sites so they can be on top of deals (47%) and being flexible on travel dates and destinations so they can bag the best combination (95%).

Skyscanner’s Aussie Travel Expert Jarrod Kris says, “Planning ahead can actually enable travellers to be more spontaneous in the moment, as they have the peace of mind that comes with knowing the logistics are taken care of. For all the travel research that Aussies flagged as important, Skyscanner has got them covered.”

1. Flex those dates: “Searching by multiple dates and airports will give you the best chance of a Flight prices are all based on supply and demand. Because some dates are more popular than others, prices will vary. The ‘whole month’ search tool allows you to see cheap flights at a glance and pick the right deal for you. Consider travelling a day before or a day after your original departure dates, flying on less popular days of the week is always cheaper.”

2. Mix & Match to save $: “Being flexible in mix and matching the airlines you choose to fly with can seriously cut costs. Fares don’t have to be booked as returns, look at flying out with one airline and back with another or out of one airport and back into ”

3. Consider ‘Everywhere’: “An ‘Everywhere’ search on Skyscanner is a great starting point for your next spontaneous break away! Ordered by price, an ‘everywhere’ search can inspire you to go somewhere you’ve never been before. In fact, ‘Everywhere’ is currently one of the most searched ‘destinations’ for Aussie travellers on Skyscanner right now. An ‘Everywhere’ search on Skyscanner for travel this month reveals flight deals to top spontaneous destinations Denpasar

from as little as $280 return and Auckland from $310 return.”

Skyscanner’s research also found the following trends in Aussie spontaneity habits:

• Victorians are the most spontaneous Aussies: Residents of Victoria are the most spontaneous with majority of the state (72%) considering themselves spontaneous in all aspects of life, followed closely by South Australia and Western Australia (71%), Queensland (70%) and finally followed by Sydney (69%). Meanwhile, only half (50%) of ACT residents believe themselves to be
• Spontaneity peaks at 18-30 years old: 18-25 is considered the most spontaneous and impulsive age (36%) followed by 26-30 (16%), on account of desire to have fun (62%) and a lack of responsibility (39%). Impulsiveness drops after age 31 due to an increase in responsibilities (41%) and more financial containment (38%).
• Travel as the ultimate gift: The gift of an experience makes memories for a lifetime. Aussies seem to agree, with 54% of Aussies sharing that travel is the most valuable experience to Surprisingly, 69% of Australians shared that they had never been surprised with a spontaneous trip!