Ahead of Australia’s first school holidays of the year, Expedia Group has today revealed new search data on the most sought-after Easter travel destinations – and the unique opportunities the demand will provide local hoteliers.
While the nation’s capitals remain the most popular tourist destinations for the April holiday travel period, the data has shown that regional beach hideaways dominate the top destination lists across most states.
The Gold Coast topped the list as the most searched regional destination in Australia[1], largely thanks to its sunny coastal weather offering travellers a final shot of warm weather before winter’s arrival.
Some of Queensland’s other iconic seaside destinations rounded up the state’s top regional locations, including the Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Whitsundays, and Port Douglas.
The coastal travel trend continued in New South Wales with Port Stephens taking the state’s top spot, followed by Shoalhaven, Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, and Newcastle.
Similarly in Victoria, Surf Coast topped the list of the most searched travel spots. East Gippsland, Geelong, and finally Bendigo bucked the beach trend to round out the top five.
Michael Dykes, VP Market Management APAC at Expedia Group, said the surge in interest for regional travel would hugely benefit local hoteliers.
“After a macro-level shift to international travel in the post-COVID period dampened the growth of the domestic travel market[2], it is really encouraging to see that Aussie families are choosing to explore their own backyards these Easter holidays,” Mr Dykes said.
“From as north as the shimmering shores of Port Douglas, to as south as the spectacular Victorian coastline, these iconic regional destinations offer more than just a sunlit getaway. It’s an opportunity for local hoteliers to grow their reach during what is typically the quiet shoulder season and do everything they can to capture this uptick in demand.”
“Leveraging the tools and technologies that online travel agents like Expedia Group offer will help to enhance their visibility and drive bookings, all by simply doing things like aligning offerings with traveller interests, highlighting local experiences, and offering comprehensive package deals.”
The interest in regional travel follows findings in Expedia Group’s Unpack ’24 report, which forecasted that regional destinations would be undergoing a ‘glow up’ with travellers seeking out rural regions to find hidden countryside gems and quaint towns that promise unforgettable adventures.
[1] Based on Expedia Group search data for the period of 29th March to 14th April 2024
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